The Bible says that we are all called to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). In other words, our goal is to be like Jesus. We should desire to handle things the way He handled them, have His attitude, and treat people the way He treated them.
But sometimes our prayers are filled with only the things we want God to do for us. However, if we study the prayers of the apostle Paul, we see a striking difference. Paul never asked for material things for himself or others. Everything he asked for was spiritual—to grow in faith, love, understanding, and patience.
Though it’s not wrong to ask for God to help us with our physical needs or things we may desire, Paul’s example shows us where our focus should be: on becoming more like Christ.
The truth is, when we align our lives with God’s will, we don’t have to chase after possessions or success—it’ll chase us (Matthew 6:33). One thing is for certain: When we are waiting for something we have hoped for, or we feel pushed to our limit in some area, it’s going to require patience.
“Pillow Patience”
The Greek dictionary says patience is a fruit of the Spirit that grows only under trial. In fact, the word patience comes from the root word hupomone, which means to “remain under.”1 That’s why patience is so hard to pray for—you know it will come with tests.
My husband, Dave, is a very patient man, but I recently pushed him to his limit. He has a pillow obsession—six pillows in our bed—and we differ in decorating tastes. He’s really eclectic and likes everything to stand out, and I want everything to match.
So, there I was, lying in bed watching TV, when he brought in a bright red pillowcase. And I said, “No, Dave, the bedspread is burgundy. You’re not putting a red pillow on it.” He said, “Yes, I am.” I said, “No, you’re not.” And we went back and forth like that, until he left the room.
I thought, Well, maybe I should just let him have the red pillowcase. After about five minutes, he came back and said, “Oh, you sweet darling. I know you’re not eclectic, so I don’t have to have the red pillowcase.”
Now, this was a little thing—a minor annoyance for each of us—but it illustrates an important principle. On all occasions, in every trial, when we are tempted to lose our patience and say or do things we’ll later regret, God encourages us to stand strong and remain patient when we’re under trials and difficulties.
James 1:12 says, Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Notice the word under. You have to be patient while you’re still having the trial. And you have to stand firm and hang on to your faith. And after you have stood the test and been approved, you will receive the victor’s crown of life—a reward in heaven—which God has promised to those who love Him.
I Didn’t See This Coming…
It tries our patience when things happen that we don’t understand. A few years ago, I had a routine back procedure called a laminectomy. It’s not supposed to be a big deal, but I had a complication, and I developed a blood clot at the surgery site. It did something to the nerves in my right leg, and I couldn’t pick my leg up off the bed.
I had to go back to the hospital. They had to operate again, take out the blood clot, and then I had to go to a rehabilitation hospital for two weeks to try to get that leg working. I recovered enough so that I could go home on a walker, but I still couldn’t put any weight on it at all.
When I got home, I thought I could do more than what I actually could, and I ended up falling and breaking my other leg. Now I had two legs that wouldn’t work. After all this, I spent two and a half months in a wheelchair or on a walker.
The first thing I prayed when it all started was, “God, help me do this right.” And that is my encouragement to you, too: When trials come, pray not only for relief, but for the strength, wisdom, and patience to handle them the right way.
My legs got better, I started doing conferences again, and everything was okay. Then one night, I got up to go to the bathroom, and I fell over backwards on a marble floor.
Now, you have two choices when things like this happen. I could think, Well, I don’t understand why this stuff keeps happening to me. I mean, I’m preaching the Word and trying to do what’s right. But I’ve been around a long time. I know that doesn’t help. So, I just thought, Well, thank God I didn’t hit my head. Thank God I didn’t break my tailbone.
This is another thing that’s very helpful when you’re having trials and trouble. Don’t just think about what did happen. Think what could have happened that didn’t happen.
Find something in your mess to thank God for. That’s one of the ways that you can be blessed in your mess. In fact, while I was in the rehab hospital, I wrote two new books. When the devil attacks, I have learned to turn those moments into opportunities for good that will help more people!
So, I can be mad at God because I’m trying so hard to be so good and all these bad things happen to me—or I can wait to see what good thing comes out of all this.
Jesus said, “…In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Every single one of us will go through things, and many of them won’t seem fair. However, when we remain patient and place our trust in God, we not only grow spiritually, but we set ourselves up for God to work it all out for our good and do the miraculous in our lives (Romans 8:28).
