Delayed Gratification

Devotional Reading: I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalms 40:1 NLT

Our world is obsessed with instant gratification. We want to be satisfied NOW! We don’t want to wait for the kettle to boil or the egg on fire to be done. If it can’t happen the instant we want it, we’ll move along to something that promises to satisfy us quicker.

Studies have shown that pursuing delayed gratification is a personality trait of the world’s most successful people. Why? Because perseverance is a crucial component to learn and succeed. We grow by reaping the benefits of the struggle rather than by ignoring or avoiding it. Seeking something big, pursuing something more significant than our limited scope. It takes time and patience. It takes hope.

We must again pay particular attention to the Bible’s story of Esau. Esau wanted to eat at once and did not worry about inheriting the mantle of leading the family later. He was impoverished as a result. The Bible calls Esau “profane.” He considered the opportunity that God had given him as something of little value or no eternal value. Similarly, God grants us each day a chance to plant the seeds of doing good, trust Him to grow, and cultivate the crop while we patiently await the blessing of the harvest.

The deepest joys we can experience are those for which we patiently wait.

Faith in God’s promises is an exercise in delayed gratification that provides a beautiful opportunity. Faith gives us a valuable perspective. Faith is a lovely thing that distinguishes the Kingdom of God on this earth from the eternity to come.

Prayer and Confession
Father, teach me to be patient and to learn not to be in a hurry. Teach me how to look out for things you want me to know in the process of waiting. Amen

Further Reading: Galatians 6:9