Tag Archives: patience

DEAR GOD: Your Grace Holds Us Steady~

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Galatians 5:22–23 (KJV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Grace That Holds Us Steady
by C D Swanson~

God’s ways are not hurried, nor are they harsh. They are gentle, steady, and full of grace. In stressful seasons, when life feels tangled and uncertain, His Spirit works quietly within us — cultivating peace where panic once lived, patience where frustration once burned, and love where fear tried to take root.

The fruit of His Spirit is not earned; it is grown through surrender. When we yield our hearts to Him, He transforms our reactions into reflections of His character. His love teaches us to wait without worry, to forgive without bitterness, and to trust without trembling.

Every trial becomes soil for His goodness. Every tear becomes water for His mercy. Every moment of weakness becomes a doorway for His strength. The Lord’s love is not only powerful — it is patient, and it never fails.

When life presses hard against your peace, do you let the Spirit’s fruit rise within you — or do you try to carry the weight alone?

  — Philippians 4:7 (KJV) “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

This verse echoes Galatians, reminding us that true peace is not humanly produced — it is divinely given. It guards our hearts like a fortress built by grace.

Lord, let Your Spirit grow in me until peace becomes my natural breath. Teach me to rest in Your love and reflect Your grace in every moment in Jesus name, Amen.

Honor to the Lord All glory to the One who plants peace in our hearts, who waters our souls with mercy, and who brings forth fruit that never fades. His love endures forever, and His grace is sufficient for every storm.

DEAR GOD: When Waiting Becomes Walking With You My LORD~

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Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4–5 (KJV) 

When Waiting Becomes Walking With God
by C D Swanson~
  

Waiting on God is not standing still in fear — it is moving through life with a heart tuned to His voice. Psalm 25 gives us a picture of a believer who is not lost, not abandoned, not confused, but guided. David asks God to show, teach, and lead — three actions that remind us that God’s instructions are not distant whispers but daily companionship.

Life on earth can feel like a long hallway of decisions, emotions, responsibilities, and unknowns. We want clarity. We want direction. We want to know what comes next. But God rarely hands us the entire map. Instead, He gives us the next step, and then the next, and then the next — always enough light for the path beneath our feet.

Waiting on God is not passive. It is the quiet courage of trusting Him when the road bends. It is the steady faith of saying, “Lord, I don’t see the whole picture, but I know You do.” It is the gentle surrender of letting His timing override our urgency.

And in that waiting, His grace becomes our teacher. His Word becomes our compass. His Spirit becomes our reassurance. God’s instructions are not harsh commands; they are loving guidance from a Father who knows the terrain better than we ever could.

When we wait on Him, we are not wasting time — we are being shaped. Strengthened. Softened. Prepared. God uses waiting seasons to deepen our roots so that when He says “move,” we move with confidence, not fear.

And as we walk through this earthly life — with its joys, its aches, its surprises — we discover that God’s guidance is not occasional. It is constant. His grace is not limited. It is overflowing. His instructions are not burdens. They are blessings that keep us aligned with His heart.

Waiting becomes worship. Walking becomes obedience. And life becomes a journey held safely in His hands.

“LORD, teach me to wait with trust and walk with courage. Guide my steps, calm my heart, and let Your voice lead me in every season. Show me Your ways, reveal Your truth, and keep me close to Your will, in Jesus name. Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: Trusting You in the Fog~

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Trusting God in the Fog
by C D Swanson

Did you ever feel like you’re longing for a “word” or guidance from the Lord, yet nothing seems to be happening? If so, count yourself among the many followers of Christ who walk through the same experience — myself included.

Right now, my husband and I are seeking the Lord for clarification, affirmation, and confirmation about our next step at this particular juncture in our lives.

But so often, when this happens, it becomes a “wait and sit tight — for I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD” kind of season. This is when patience, one of the fruits of the Spirit, comes into focus. This is when we need to breathe, relax, and remind ourselves, “This too shall pass, and this too shall become clear.”

There is always a purpose behind everything we face — uncertainty, decisions, doubt, and those foggy moments in our mind, heart, and soul. The sun always breaks through eventually. It always does. It’s the waiting in the fog that challenges us the most.

The only encouragement I can offer is this: “Be still, and know that He is God.” (Psalm 46:10) Look to Him for all things. Trust Him fully, and He will direct your paths and bring clarity and peace in His perfect timing. (Proverbs 4:5–8)

Just know this: God is with you through it all. He is your hope, your conscience, your guide, your protector, your Rock, and your ever‑loving, faithful Father.

Isaiah 30:21 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it…”Lamentations 3:25–26 “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him… It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”

Father, in the quiet places where we wait for Your direction, steady our hearts. Teach us to rest in Your timing, trust Your wisdom, and lean into Your peace. Clear the fog in Your perfect way, and guide our steps with the light of Your presence. We place our hopes, our questions, and our next steps in Your faithful hands. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

DEAR GOD: I Love That You Wait For ME!

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Isaiah 30:18 (KJV) — “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you…”

When God Waits for You
by C D SWANSON

 We often think we are the ones waiting on God, but Isaiah reveals a tender truth: sometimes God is waiting on us. Waiting for us to slow down, to breathe, to return, to trust, to stop striving in our own strength. He waits—not in frustration—but in grace.

This verse shows the heart of a Father who refuses to rush His children. He waits so He can pour out mercy at the moment we are ready to receive it. He waits so we won’t miss the blessing. He waits because His timing is always aligned with His love.

Supporting Scriptures remind us of this gentle patience:

  • “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” (Psalm 103:8)
  • “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:25)
  • “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Today, let this truth settle your spirit: God is not late. He is not withholding. He is not ignoring you. He is waiting for the perfect moment to be gracious to you—because His love is deliberate, patient, and deeply personal.

🙏 

“LORD , thank You for waiting for me with such grace. Teach me to slow down, to trust Your timing, and to rest in Your goodness. Help me release my hurry and receive Your mercy in the exact moment You send it.  In Jesus name, Amen.“

DEAR GOD: Hamster Wheels In Life Are When I Need You More Than Ever~

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“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

When Life Feels Like Circles
by C D SWANSON~

There are days when life feels less like a journey and more like a treadmill — moving, sweating, trying, but never seeming to get anywhere. We wake up to the same routines, the same pressures, the same unanswered questions. It can feel like being a hamster on a wheel: motion without progress, effort without reward.

But Ecclesiastes reminds us that God is not random, and neither are our seasons. Even the repetitive ones have purpose. Cycles are not punishments; they are classrooms. God often shapes us in the quiet, uneventful stretches where nothing seems to change. What feels like “the same old same old” may actually be God strengthening your endurance, refining your character, or preparing the ground for a shift you cannot yet see.

A wheel may go in circles, but it also carries you forward. In God’s hands, even your loops are leading somewhere meaningful. You are not stuck — you are being steadied.

“LORD when my days feel repetitive and my efforts seem unnoticed, remind me that You are the God of every season. Help me trust that even in the cycles, You are working, shaping, and guiding me. Give me peace in the waiting, strength in the routine, and hope for the new thing You are preparing. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: My God Who Governs the Waves

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Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.” — Psalm 89:9

 “The God Who Governs the Waves”
by C D SWANSON~

 Waiting through a storm requires a kind of courage that does not come naturally. Our instinct is to fix, to flee, or to fear. Yet Scripture reveals a God who does not panic when the waves rise — He rules them. Psalm 89:9 is often overlooked, but it reveals a profound truth: storms are not sovereign. God is.

When the disciples panicked in Mark 4:37–40, Jesus slept. Not because He was indifferent, but because He was in absolute authority. The storm could not swallow the boat because the Creator of the sea was in it. Likewise, the storms in our lives cannot swallow us when Christ is present.

Waiting is not inactivity; it is alignment. It is choosing to trust that God is working in the unseen. Isaiah 30:15 reminds us, “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Strength is not always loud. Sometimes it is the quiet resolve to stay where God placed you until He speaks.

Storms refine us. They strip away illusions of control. They reveal what we truly believe. They push us into deeper dependence on God. And they prepare us for the testimony that follows. Every storm ends — but the faith built within it remains.

  •  Reflective Questions •
  • What is this storm teaching me about God’s authority? •
  • How is God inviting me to trust Him more deeply in this season? 
  • What part of my heart is He calming even before He calms the circumstances?

Prayer
“Lord, teach me to wait with holy confidence. Calm my spirit even when the waves rise. Help me trust Your timing, Your authority, and Your unfailing love. Strengthen me as I wait and anchor me in Your truth. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Your Presence & Love Help Us In Adversity ~

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“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” — Psalm 34:19

 Afflictions and Deliverance: God’s Presence in Adversity 

  Life is never without adversity. Scripture reminds us that even the righteous—those who walk faithfully with God—are not exempt from trials. Psalm 34:19 declares, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” This verse acknowledges the reality of hardship while simultaneously offering the assurance of divine deliverance.

Adversity is not a sign of God’s absence but often the very place where His Presence is most deeply revealed. Consider Job, who endured unimaginable suffering yet testified, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). His faith was refined in the furnace of affliction. Similarly, Paul wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). These words remind us that adversity presses us, but it cannot crush us when God is our refuge.

Adversity also shapes character. James exhorts believers, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2–3). Trials are not wasted; they produce endurance, deepen trust, and draw us closer to Christ. Even Jesus Himself declared, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Thus, adversity is not the end of the story. It is the soil in which faith grows, the crucible in which hope is purified, and the stage upon which God’s deliverance is displayed. The righteous may face many afflictions, but the Lord’s promise of deliverance is sure.

Reflective Question: How has adversity in your life become a place where God’s presence and deliverance were revealed?

 “LORD- You see the afflictions that weigh upon our hearts. Teach us to trust You in the midst of trials, to find strength in Your promises, and to rest in Your deliverance. May adversity refine our faith and draw us closer to Your presence. Through Christ, who overcame the world, grant us courage and peace. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: AGAPE: The Eternal Embrace of God’s Unfailing Love”

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Agape Love in a Relationship — the grace blog

A – Adoration

🌟 God’s love begins with adoration—not just ours for Him, but His for us.

“The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” — Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)

G – Grace

💧 Agape love is drenched in grace—unearned, undeserved, and freely given.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” — Romans 5:8 (NLT)

A – Abundance

🌿 God’s love is not measured or rationed. It overflows and nourishes every dry place.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” — Ephesians 3:16 (NLT)

P – Patience

🕊️ Agape waits. It holds space for growth, healing, and return.

“The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

E – Eternal

🔥 This love is not fleeting. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” — Psalm 136:1 (NLT)

“Abba Father, Thank You for the gift of agape love that never fails, never fades, and never forgets. Let Your adoration anchor us, Your grace renew us, and Your abundance overflow in every dry place. Teach us to wait with patience, to walk in peace, and to trust in Your eternal embrace. May our lives reflect Your glory and may every act of love be a mirror of Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: We Seek Your Peace In All We Do~

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  “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.” — Proverbs 29:22 (KJV)

The Ripple Effect of Rage: A Christian Call to Peace

In Proverbs 29:22, Solomon offers a piercing observation about the destructive nature of unchecked anger. The verse is not merely a behavioral warning—it is a spiritual diagnosis. Anger, when allowed to fester, becomes a catalyst for strife, and fury, when unbridled, leads to a cascade of sin. This is not just ancient wisdom; it is a timeless truth that echoes through every generation, including our own.

In today’s world, where outrage often masquerades as righteousness and fury is amplified by social media, this proverb is more relevant than ever. We live in a culture that rewards reaction over reflection, where tempers flare in traffic, online debates, and even within households. The angry man doesn’t just experience strife—he stirs it. His presence becomes a source of division, his words ignite conflict, and his actions ripple outward, affecting relationships, communities, and even nations.

For the Christian, this verse is a call to spiritual maturity. Anger itself is not inherently sinful—Jesus expressed righteous anger in the temple—but it must be governed by the Spirit. The furious man “aboundeth in transgression” because his emotions override his discernment. He becomes vulnerable to pride, cruelty, and vengeance. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit includes gentleness, patience, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). These are not passive traits—they are powerful antidotes to the chaos that anger breeds.

To walk in Christ is to be a peacemaker, not a strife-stirrer. It is to recognize that every moment of fury is a fork in the road: one path leads to reconciliation, the other to rebellion. The Christian must ask, “Is my anger serving God’s justice or my own ego?” The answer determines whether we build bridges or burn them.

Supporting Scripture:

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” — Ephesians 4:26

This verse complements Proverbs 29:22 by acknowledging that anger is a natural emotion, but it must be time-bound and sin-resistant. Lingering wrath becomes fertile ground for transgression. The Christian is called to resolve conflict swiftly and to guard their heart from bitterness.

Closing Prayer:

“Heavenly Father, You are the God of peace, the One who calms storms and quiets hearts. We come before You with humility, asking for Your grace to govern our emotions. Teach us to be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Let our words be seasoned with love, and our actions reflect Your mercy. Where there is strife, make us instruments of reconciliation. Where fury threatens to consume us, fill us with Your Spirit of gentleness and wisdom. Help us to walk in the light of Your truth, choosing peace over pride, and compassion over conflict. May our lives be a testimony to Your transforming power, and may we bring harmony to every space we enter. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: Our Commission & Our Daily Obedience To Follow You~

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Why the Great Commission is Essential for Every Christian?

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9

The Gentle Waiting of God: Our Commission, Our Daily Obedience

In the quiet moments of our lives—those spaces between longing and fulfillment—God waits. Not with impatience or frustration, but with a love so deep and enduring that it stretches across generations, circumstances, and even our resistance. His patience is not passive; it is purposeful. It is the divine rhythm of grace, calling us gently, persistently, into alignment with His will.

We are here not by accident, but by divine appointment. Each breath we take is a reminder that we are commissioned by the Lord to reflect His glory, to walk in His truth, and to extend His love to a world aching for redemption. Our lives are not our own—they are vessels of His mercy, instruments of His peace, and testimonies of His faithfulness.

The commission of the Lord is clear: to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love others as ourselves. To go into all the world and make disciples, yes—but also to abide. To dwell daily in His Word, to seek His face in prayer, and to surrender our plans for His perfect will. Obedience is not a burden—it is a love response. It is the daily yes to the One who waited for us, who waits still, and who will never stop pursuing our hearts.

God’s waiting is not weakness—it is strength cloaked in compassion. He waits for the prodigal, for the weary, for the doubting. He waits for us to trust Him enough to let go. And in that waiting, He teaches us to wait too. To wait on His timing, His provision, His healing. To wait with hope, not despair. With faith, not fear.

To abide in His Word daily is to anchor ourselves in truth. It is to drink deeply from the well that never runs dry. It is to be reminded, again and again, that we are loved, chosen, and called. And in that abiding, we find the courage to obey—not out of obligation, but out of adoration.

📜 Supporting Scriptures:

  • John 15:4-5 — “Abide in me, and I in you… for without me ye can do nothing.”
  • Micah 6:8 — “He hath shewed thee… what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
  • Romans 12:1 — “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
  • Isaiah 40:31 — “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”
  • Matthew 28:19-20 — “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”

” Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your patient love that never gives up on us. Thank You for waiting, for calling, for commissioning us to walk in Your truth. Teach us to abide daily in Your Word, to obey with joy, and to wait with trust. May our lives reflect Your grace and fulfill the purpose You’ve placed within us. Strengthen us to walk humbly, love deeply, and serve faithfully. We surrender our plans to Your perfect will and ask for Your peace to guide us each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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