NOW!

Have you noticed that when babies want something, they cry and throw tantrums until they get what they want or at least until they get your attention? When babies and children want something, they want it there and then. They cry, whine, throw tantrums, and do everything they know to do to get it.

When a baby is hungry, you have to leave everything else to get him fed. When he wants to sleep and he needs you to rock him to sleep, he'll cry until you attend to him and help him sleep. There's no telling a baby to wait, that it's the wrong timing; he will cry until he gets what he wants.

Recently God dropped it in my heart that I (and most likely you too) am like that! When I pray, I want Him to answer me NOW! And I'll whine, cry, throw tantrums and try to twist His arms until I get what I want.

For babies, I guess that behaviour is acceptable and can't be helped. Firstly, they can barely commnunicate their needs, except through crying; and secondly, you can't reason with them at that age. The best you can do is assure them of your love by attending to their needs and soothing them when they cry.

However, as a child grows older, you would want him to learn that it won't be practicable to have everything he wants exactly how and when he wants it. It's usually not always because what that child wants is unavailable but because, amongst other things, what he wants at that time would hurt him if you gave him immediately. For instance, you just cooked him noodles and he's so hungry he wants it immediately. If you gave him there and then, it will scald his tongue and he'll end up not enjoying the meal. It could also be that out of love for the child and as part of teaching him patience and discipline, you want the child to learn early in life that he won't always have his way and on his own terms.

I have prayers that are yet to be answered and I've tried all I know to get God to answer me NOW. I also know that God is powerful, is not lacking in any resource that He needs to meet my needs, that He loves me and wants my joy complete. However, at times because God wants to teach us trust and patience we don't get immediate answers to our prayer requests. In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus admonished us to "cry to Him day and night" until we get what we ask. Keep asking until you get answers; however, you don't only get answers, you become stronger and more mature in your walk with God. Romans 5:3-5 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

Cheers!

Note: There are other reasons why we don't get immediate answers to our prayers, but this post is about discipline, trust and patience.