We have all been in the position of waiting for something.  You work toward a goal for a long period of time and you get anxious to finally reach that goal.  You pray for something to change in your life, or to come into your life and you get frustrated when things don’t happen at once.

Robert Schuller says that ‘God’s delays are not God’s denial’.  He goes on to say that we often want everything on our timeline, but God will provide on his timeline.  For whatever reason, your prayers may not be answered when you want them answered.  Time may just be an ‘earthly’ concept.

 When you get frustrated or anxious, you are just experiencing distractions.  These distractions  will work against you reaching and attaining your goals.  You may lose focus and eventually give up and stop trying.  The solution is to keep focused on your goals by recognizing the distractions for what they are, and not placing any importance on them.  By allowing these distractions (frustration, anxiety, etc.) into your life gives them meaning and force.  They will come alive and become the focus of your day until eventually, you give up and stop working toward your goal.

Don’t allow these distractions to overcome your good work.  Continually focus on your long term goals by setting short term or intermediate goals.  If you are on a diet and your goal is to lose 20 pounds, set a short term goal for 3 or 4 pounds.  If you are working toward a four year degree, set a short term goal for the coming semester.  If you are praying for changes in your own behavior, take it one day at time, one circumstance at a time.

The point is, you must keep the faith, keep working toward your goal, keep praying and soon you will receive your rewards.

- Joe Freeman