Encouragement

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On Being Patient
© 2011

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Army Specialist Kaci Pearson used to feel left out when people said they were blessed God. Now in her 16th month as a Christian, she just could not understand why she had been ignored by God. Her relationship with her boyfriend ended with an angry exchange and months fo heartbreak; lost one hundred thirty-five dollars in cash; and then she had to replace her flat screen television that had been struck by lightening in a violent thunderstorm.

“What did I do wrong? I pray daily and ask for forgiveness? I just don’t understand why so many bad things happen to me and everybody elese receives blessings.”

She thought about giving up being a Christian and attending church services altogether. Chaplain Kevin Wheeler changed all of that when he mentioned nearly a dozen trials he had experienced in only a give month period. Although he talking to over two hundred soldiers, Kaci felt as though he was talking directly to her.

“Are you certain that God is punishing you?” he boldly stated. “Are you not certain that God is not preparing you for something really great to come along in your life? Remember Job! Job lost everything. I mean everything of earthly value and worth to him. But he would not turn his back on God as everyone suggest he do. Instead, his faith grew over the years of his losses. Job experienced tragedy one after the other and physical pain and suffering you cannot probably begin to imagine.”

At the conclusion of the service, Kaci left the chapel now strengthened to be strong and patient. She realized that she must wait on the Lord to decide what is best for her. Most importantly, she realized that God actually had given her many blessings. She could eat without problems; see without assistance or correction; breathe without diffculty and many activities some had no ability to perform.

Now, morning after morning, Specialist Pearson invites Christ into her heart and mind even though bad times continue to come into her life. The difference, at present, she readily recognizes that she had been blessed in so many other ways. Actually, when she prayed two days before she noticed that she was not suffering from illnesses that many of her fellow soldiers had been affected with. She also received a call from her brother that she had a brand new nephew.

“How exciting!” she thought to herself. “Maybe God has something great in store for me, my loved ones and friends. I’ll wait for the Lord to do His work. I understand better what God does in people’s lives. I just have to be patient and prayerful.”

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