{my graphics are free goodies for you}
Better to be patient than powerful. {Prov. 16:32}
I read these words one summer morning curled up in bed and I write them in my journal. I don’t understand at first why they resonate with me. After all, I don’t consider myself someone who grasps for power—at least not in the traditional sense.
But as I get up and begin to go about my day I realize I want power over certain things. I want to control how my day will go. I want people to like me. I want to do my work flawlessly. And to make sure that happens, I push. I try hard. I rush and hustle.
And all of this, I suddenly see, is different than patience. Because patience is about receiving. It’s about believing that everything will work out. It’s about resting in the shade of God’s love instead of toiling in the sun of striving.
But patience also requires giving up control, it means surrendering our perceived power. This is hard and scary for me. Yet it is also what our weary souls long for, what they are really hoping will be the outcome of all our efforts.
Patience isn’t just about time; it’s also about trust. It’s about saying, “I don’t have to be in control. I don’t have to hold the power because I know the One who does. And He is for me. He is always working on my behalf. And this means I don’t have to strive or reach for control.”
This is the true work of patience; not only to help us wait but to help us worship. To empty our hands and bend our knees and bow our heads. This is a wild, heart-freeing thing. Because what we want even more than to be in control is to be cared for by Someone who truly loves us.
I let out a sigh of relief as I realize all over again we are. We always have been. We forever will be. God is inviting us to see it even now, to believe it, to know it all the way to our bones. Waiting for us patiently.
XOXO
Holley Gerth
p.s. If you’re a fan of both patience and progress you’ll love The Do What You Can Plan {ebook}. You can find it at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
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Welcome to the Coffee for Your Heart weekly link-up! You’re an encourager so I’m asking you to pour out a little love with your words every Wednesday {link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
Pretty please use this button in your blog post so others can easily join in with us {html code in right sidebar}. And when you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
“What we want even more than to be in control is to be cared for by Someone who truly loves us.” I didn’t know my heart wanted this until reading it just now. I work so hard to hold onto the rudder, to steer this ship in the direction I want it to go. What I really want is to enjoy the journey. To sit on the bow of the boat and stay amazed at the places God takes me. Thank you for this, Holley!
Amen to what you said. Truly trusting and receiving are both difficult to do when trying to control what is offered. Freely fully accepting and receiving doesn’t happen while attempting to control what is offered. This is a revelation to me.
Wow! You said this so well.
Holley, you have touched my heart. This so hit home with me. We forget that striving for those things through pushing to make sure they work out the way we want them to etc… really is a control issue. And here in my mind it disguises itself as just being a good steward , or thinking doing it this way will help this other person…or if I am perfect then everyone will love me. How silly those stinkin thinkin thoughts are … We have been getting our home ready to sell by fixin, and painting and caulking etc… I have found myself thinking oh how I must do more more more even after getting the home in tip top shape. Enough is enough….patience and faith is my aim from her on out.
This is so insightful Holley. I did not recognize the link between patience and control.
Holley, it is always a joy to join you for coffee each week, when I come over to add my post to your link-up. I don’t always have a chance to comment, but read your entries most often. You are such a blessing! Your post has so much relevance to my life today. I am grieving over a fairly traumatic memory that has come to mind recently, and while I know that grief takes time, I find myself growing impatient. “When will I ever get over this, God?!” I find myself praying. And yet, I know there is a purpose in the time it will take me to do that, and I am finding that healing is coming in the most unexpected ways. In another area of my life, we are buying a property in a place my husband and I so badly want to call home, but it’s unlikely we will move until my daughter graduates from high school in seven years! Talk about needing patience! And yet, I know those school years will go quickly and I don’t want to rush through the time I have my “baby” at home. Yes, yes, waiting is good.
I hope you have a blessed day today and look forward to coffee with you again next week!
I love your openness and sweet heart to share, Linda. I’ve also been struggling with a “God, when will I ever get over this” thing, and your comment, combined with Holley’s post, brought revelation and comfort.
YES—> Because what we want even more than to be in control is to be cared for by Someone who truly loves us….. Mighty powerful words this morning that I didn’t know I needed to hear either! Thank you for hosting us as always.
So often it comes down to that dreaded “C” word – CONTROL. Good, thought-provoking post! Thank you for the linkup!
So needed these words this morning Holley! I am such a control freak! I want to be in control of everything. My patience wears thin so frequently because I can’t control things. But I am learning more every day to “let go and let God” for he is ultimately in control. I have no control in any aspect of my life. It is so hard though and I often have to pray for patience and guidance. I am so thankful for your words of encouragement and the other women here that feel the same way. You truly are a blessing!
Hi Holley,
Wonderful reminder of God’s will for our lives. “Having patience brings faith,” such a simple thought that is really very profound! We are taught by worldly values to be strong so, we try to do everything ourselves, so that we’ll have immediate results. God’s way is so much better when we bring Him into the mix asking for guidance, faith and patience to accomplish our tasks.
thanks, and blessings, Sandy
Holley
This is so, right on! Thanks for listening to the Holy Spirit.
There is so much beauty to be found when we give up a rushing spirit for a patient spirit! Thanks for the reminder to embrace waiting. 🙂
great post! it does take more power = the power of God to keep me patient. thanks, Holley and for your consistent calling us back to truth, love and Jesus.
“Patience is about receiving.” – Thanks, Holley – this put a new perspective on it for me.I had it in a box. Patience – calmly waiting. Guess I have long been stubborn with both patience and receiving! Beautiful graphic & words today, friend.
What relief. Like a cold drink of Living Waters on a dry, hot summer day.
It sounds like many of us (myself included) need this reminder often. Thank you for joining me here, friends.
Hello Holley – I haven’t joined your page for awhile.. Patience is said to be a Virtue. Control sure plays in my life.. I’m riding it as we speak by the grace of God. It’s that recently I got a dose of control put to me, I saw how I was guilty too. I noticed control can pop up when I’m not feeling well. I wondered if was true of others .. of Trust is the one we know works and sometimes it’s hard to grasp when I feel let down or disappointed.
Thank you girl your posts..
This really hit home, Holly. I especially liked this thought, “This is the true work of patience; not only to help us wait but to help us worship.”
Thanks for sharing and for hosting. Blessings!
Thank you kindly for your words. I needed to hear them today. I’m choosing rest and trust in the Beloved.
Holley,
Yes: “Because what we want even more than to be in control is to be cared for by Someone who truly loves us.”
And God can be trusted.
Thanks, my friend,
Dolly
Holley, your statement, “Patience is receiving,” is a surprising but delightful alternative to striving (which does tend to be an impatient endeavor). As I live out patience in a receptive mode, I can remember God’s promises, review his character, and affirm my faith. Thank you, Holley, for clarifying the true meaning of patience and reminding us of the outcome: rest in the care of Someone who truly loves us. What could be better?!
This is so good, I had to look the verse up. My translation says slow to anger rather than patient, but really impatience is a form of anger isn’t it. Do I get frustrated, angry, impatient when things don’t happen when I want or how I want them to? Unfortunately, at times I do.
I love stopping here, Holley! Life has been so busy this summer that I haven’t been able to come by on Wednesdays as often and I miss it! Your words always speak to my heart. What a wonderful experience it would be to sit across from you IRL! A girl can hope 🙂
Control sneaks in the places we don’t even expect it to! Just when we think we have let go of it in one area, all of a sudden we realize we are holding the reigns tightly in another. Goodness! Praying for patience and trust alongside you, friend!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Holley, thank you for sharing this message with us today…. it is always amazing to me when you and the Lord show up and supply just what I need as I walk through the valley. Thanks for blessing me!
And that is one powerful statement. 🙂
I needed to read this today, Holley. Thank you. Sometimes it’s hard to let go and wait…
So easy to write about and so very hard to do! Being in control is one big issue I have. Very inspiring article Holley and I will take it to heart and continue trying 🙂 God bless you sweet lady…
Thank you Holley. This really spoke to my heart. I, too, read the Proverb and initially thought it didn’t apply to me. I don’t seek power. Oh…..but I do…
I love your posts Holley! This is one is well said! You are a blessing!
Eventually each one learns that walking with Christ Jesus does not guarantee simplicity or good fortune, health or wealth of money…it is not a magic pill or miraculous healing when requesting an easier path. We have to get down (on our knees) and dirty (accepting unwanted pathways of inconvenience and selflessness. it is following the Master’s. Voice and directions inspite if wanting to do life my way.