During my prayer time this morning I thought about my best friend Amanda. She has been trying to purchase a home for what seems like an eternity, and finally yesterday (on her birthday) she received the keys to her brand new home! I could just cry thinking about it. I remember receiving pictures from when they broke the ground, built the foundation, built the frame, put the windows in, etc. I also remember the phone calls I received when she was frustrated about how long the process was taking. There were two things we needed to hold on to: Patience and Faith.
The reason I thought about her when I was praying is because I am going through a frustrating period right now. For those of you in graduate school you know how agonizing the PhD process can be. I'm trying to transfer to The Ohio State University because my advisor is taking a position there and they have more resources for the research I'm conducting. Classes start on September 19th and I haven't heard back from the school as to whether I've been accepted or not. I need to let my landlord know if I'm leaving, and I need to find an apartment in Columbus. I feel like my life is at a stand still and it's so FRUSTRATING!
The saying goes, "He may not come when you want him, but he's always on time." It's hard to remember that when you are going through a trial, isn't it? The best thing for me to do is dig into my word.
Here are a few scriptures about patience and faith. I hope you're encouraged by them.
Romans 5:3-4
...And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope...
Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1 Timothy 6:11
...follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
...follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Hebrews 10:36
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
James 1:3-4
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Lastly, you need to read Hebrews 11 (AKA "The Faith Chapter).
