I am not a patient person. As a matter of fact, I am a cut-n-dry, here's the problem and the solution so let's fix it kind of person. I don't pray for patience, I know better, because that is a sure fire way to find myself in a situation that requires me to be patient. But, despite my admission of being impatient, and the struggle that I have with that, what does God ask me to do? That's right, be patient....
James 1: 2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
This trial with Joseph is anything but joyful, and I want to do everything but persevere. I want to defend myself, I want to beg and plead with Joseph come back home and go back to school, I want to hate the ones who are manipulating him who look like heroes in his eyes...But, instead God is asking me to have faith. Faith when I don't know where Joseph is or what he's doing, faith when punches are thrown at me from lying mouths that influence my children, faith that no matter what He is in control. Faith to be patient, and watch God work.
Faith is what we hope for, belief in what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1), faith means that the answer doesn't always come when I want it to, or even the way I want it to. Sometimes exercising faith will make us think that we are losing (which is what I feel right now), faith will help us to keep seeing the truth when we are surrounded by lies. Faith will complete a perfect work in us, and change us into the person God wants us to be.
