READ: EPHESIANS 4:2; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:14; JAMES 5:7-8

I’m going to be honest—I am terrible at being patient. I get frustrated with long lines, slow computers, and people who walk at a snail’s pace but take up the whole sidewalk so there’s no way to pass them.

I also get impatient when I feel like God isn’t listening to my prayers. Doesn’t He know how much I need the thing I’m asking for? Doesn’t He care about my hurts and all that is wrong in the world? The answer to both of these questions, turns out, is a resounding yes. God knows all our needs even before we ask, and He cares so deeply for us—and for all His creation—that He came in flesh to set us free from sin and death and bring us into relationship with Himself. He invites us to come to Him with all our struggles—to trust Him, patiently.

Although practicing patience is sometimes unpleasant, it’s possible because God is patient with us. Jesus, who is God the Son, was patient with people when He lived among us on earth. Throughout His ministry, even though He told people who He was and what He came here to do, many of them—even His closest friends—still got confused about His purposes. They wanted someone who was going to come in and overthrow Rome, but that wasn’t the kind of king Jesus set out to be. Instead, He endured the cross, knowing that on the third day, He would rise again.

In the same way, God the Father is patient with us as He waits for our repentance, those moments when we come to our senses and turn away from sin, back toward Him (2 Peter 3:9). God continues to love us and wait for us, even if we’re ignoring Him (Luke 15:11-24).

Since God is so patient with us, that means whenever we’re struggling to wait, we can go to Him. As we rest in His love and remember His goodness, we often find it becomes easier to wait on the Lord. • Naomi Zylstra

• What’s something you do that requires patience?

• If we know Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit in us, and one of the fruits the Spirit produces in our lives is patience (Galatians 5:22-23). On top of that, we have the sure hope that all our waiting will be worth it, because when Jesus returns, He will make everything new and we will live with Him forever in restored creation, finally freefrom sin and brokenness (Revelation 21:1-5). How could thesetruths give us comfort and strength in times of waiting—whether we’re waiting for something in our own lives, or waiting for God to right the wrongs we see in the world?

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 103:4; ROMANS 8:38-39; COLOSSIANS 2:13-15; 2 PETER 3:8-13

Life digs a pit and throws me, kicking and flailing, inside. I hit the bottom hard. There’s no escape, so I call out, “Lord, save me! I’m not meant to exist in this pit. I know Your plan is good!” I sit down and wait for my Savior, expectant for His face to appear over the edge.

Time passes, and I fidget, wondering why it’s taking Jesus so long to intervene. I know He heard me. I stand up. I hear noises! My eyes flit back and forth, expecting a rope or a hand. Instead, I see dirt from a shovel come flying into the pit. I duck my head just in time to protect my eyes. More scoops come until my head and shoulders are dusty and my nostrils twitch with oncoming sneezes. “Who’s up there?” I shout.

Satan pokes his head over the edge and grins. “It’s me. Adding misery to what Life does. Fun, isn’t it?” Another scoop follows his words down to the bottom of the pit. I back myself against the dirt wall. I press my lips together, trying to keep my heart steadfast. I know my Savior loves me.

But the shovelfuls don’t stop, and eventually, I snap. “Lord, if you’re not gonna get me out of here, could You at least bring me a shovel so I can throw some dirt back at him?” I shout. “Don’t You care that Satan’s winning?!” Jesus comes. All the way to the bottom. He has a board, and He begins using it to tamp the loose dirt. He sings the Song of Grace as He works. I frown. “Why are you down here? Can’t You get me out? Don’t You wanna thwart Satan’s dirt?”

Jesus looks at me with love. “Trust Me,” He says. “It might look like Satan is winning, but here’s the secret. I am using his evil, feeble work to fill in the pit. He thinks he is destroying forever. But I am restoring things—even this very pit— using his evil intentions for good. When I am done tamping, we will walk out of the pit together on solid, level ground.” • H. K. Rausch

• Today’s story is an allegory. Though we live in a world that has been broken by sin, Jesus came to save us through His death and resurrection. He has defeated all the powers of sin and Satan, and one day Jesus will return and make all things new and whole! Until then, we will experience suffering and hardship, but we can know that Jesus is right here with us in the midst of it. What kinds of struggles have you had lately? Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about them.

• In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians you can talk to about your struggles?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 103:4; ROMANS 8:38-39; COLOSSIANS 2:13-15; 2 PETER 3:8-13

Life digs a pit and throws me, kicking and flailing, inside. I hit the bottom hard. There’s no escape, so I call out, “Lord, save me! I’m not meant to exist in this pit. I know Your plan is good!” I sit down and wait for my Savior, expectant for His face to appear over the edge.

Time passes, and I fidget, wondering why it’s taking Jesus so long to intervene. I know He heard me. I stand up. I hear noises! My eyes flit back and forth, expecting a rope or a hand. Instead, I see dirt from a shovel come flying into the pit. I duck my head just in time to protect my eyes. More scoops come until my head and shoulders are dusty and my nostrils twitch with oncoming sneezes. “Who’s up there?” I shout.

Satan pokes his head over the edge and grins. “It’s me. Adding misery to what Life does. Fun, isn’t it?” Another scoop follows his words down to the bottom of the pit. I back myself against the dirt wall. I press my lips together, trying to keep my heart steadfast. I know my Savior loves me.

But the shovelfuls don’t stop, and eventually, I snap. “Lord, if you’re not gonna get me out of here, could You at least bring me a shovel so I can throw some dirt back at him?” I shout. “Don’t You care that Satan’s winning?!” Jesus comes. All the way to the bottom. He has a board, and He begins using it to tamp the loose dirt. He sings the Song of Grace as He works. I frown. “Why are you down here? Can’t You get me out? Don’t You wanna thwart Satan’s dirt?”

Jesus looks at me with love. “Trust Me,” He says. “It might look like Satan is winning, but here’s the secret. I am using his evil, feeble work to fill in the pit. He thinks he is destroying forever. But I am restoring things—even this very pit— using his evil intentions for good. When I am done tamping, we will walk out of the pit together on solid, level ground.” • H. K. Rausch

• Today’s story is an allegory. Though we live in a world that has been broken by sin, Jesus came to save us through His death and resurrection. He has defeated all the powers of sin and Satan, and one day Jesus will return and make all things new and whole! Until then, we will experience suffering and hardship, but we can know that Jesus is right here with us in the midst of it. What kinds of struggles have you had lately? Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about them.

• In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians you can talk to about your struggles?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)