No matter the situation, be it a career move, relocating to another city/state, family dynamics, financial decisions or maybe even a crisis due to bad decisions, there is a solution. There is a “next step” to get you headed into success. It might not be the solution you had anticipated or something that resolves your situation quickly, but be encouraged, there is a solution. Often there is more than one option that can help you reach a satisfactory conclusion to your situation.
The key to reaching your destination (next step), is exercising patience. Now I know that’s not a word (patience) many of us like. Patience is a virtue that few of us have cultivated. Over the past 2 decades we have evolved into a “microwave” society, where we have become accustomed to instant gratification. Our kitchen microwave, fast-food, pre-packaged food, apple watch, smart phone, internet, and curbside service have all conditioned us to expect things quickly and more often, instantly. We are even impatient when the internet page we are loading takes more than 10 seconds.
Patience is, as I referred to earlier, a virtue. Virtue is a trait or quality that is considered excellent or a foundation of principle that is deemed morally good. The level of our future success will depend on our ability to exercise patience. This may explain why so many people either never succeed at their life goals or take much longer than it should to do so.
When I was five years old I INSISTED that I be allowed to take piano lessons from my Aunt Gail. My aunt told my mom I wasn’t really old enough to benefit from the lessons, but I insisted. It wasn’t long before I was weekly taking lessons from my aunt. She was much more patient than I. But we both persisted and as a result, after many years of lessons from my Aunt and the conservatory, I became a somewhat accomplished pianist. What does this have to do with this post? Well, my patient Aunt and my persistence had a huge impact on my success, but the REAL reason for this story about my aunt and piano lessons is that she once gave me some VERY wise advice following one of my lessons. My Aunt Gail told me when I was a teenager, “Carol, if you’re not sure about something, then the answer is NO”. “Don’t go forward, don’t go backward…just stay where you are and don’t be in a hurry”. Do you know how awful and gross that advice was for a teenager that was receiving all kinds of offers? TERRIBLE!!! But you know what? That advice stuck with me all my life. It was a teaching moment that helped me understand the value of patience. It taught me that exercising patience just might bring about better circumstances, better choices and better outcomes! Had I not had such respected my Aunt, I may not have received that advise so readily. Thankfully, I thought so highly of her (and still do), that I heeded that advise and avoided many mistakes as a teenager!
When you’re at a crossroad and don’t have a clue what the next step should be…..stay put! Be patient! Being in a hurry and feeling like you have to do something “even if it’s wrong”, is the worst action you could possibly take. I get it…it’s hard to just stay put and not move when you’re so antsy you can’t stand it. But that’s exactly what your enemy wants you to do and it’s exactly what immature, impatient and incompetent people do!! I’ve heard all my life “I’m going to do SOMETHING, even if it’s wrong”! Now, I know they were just kidding, but their lack of patience was tempting them to act, even if it might be wrong. I actually had a great friend of mine say that to me just a few weeks ago, stating “WE need to do something, even if it’s wrong”. She is getting impatient with this “stay at home order” from our Governor regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.
When you don’t know the next step, STAY PUT! You have to understand, everything I do in my life is based on my relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ and His Word! So from this point on, my advise will come from those two things. I daily get up extra early just to spend time with Jesus. I need His wisdom, His Plan and His assurance. It is from this daily time spent with Him and in His Word that I find my answers. Now, let me say this….you won’t always find a specific answer for a specific problem everytime you read the Bible. What I DO find is wisdom regarding everyday living that when practiced, helps me avoid traps and mistakes. Often I hear the Lord speak specific things to me and MANY times I later encounter a person that says something that confirms what I heard in my spirit that morning.
No matter what you believe or who you believe in, patience is needed if you don’t know the next step. If you will wait long enough, things will begin to move and settle. Other people will make their move, do something, say something and the pieces on the chess board will begin to shift. Many times, all we need is for one thing to change and viola’, we have our answer….we know the next move! Not knowing the next move, is usually because we just simply don’t have enough information….we don’t have all the pieces to the puzzle. Waiting for a period of time will usually (if not always), provide a space for someone or something to shift, providing us with more information. That information is that piece of the puzzle we’ve been looking for!
Here are some things you can do when you don’t know the next step:
Exercise patience.
Keep your “self-talk” positive.
Meditate/Pray daily and all through the day.
Know in your “Knower” that things NEVER stay the same. A shift is coming!!
Make a list of probable next steps based on the information you already have. Write down what you would like or need to happen.
Talk to a person you trust (in confidence) about your situation. Tell them about your “list” and ask their opinion. Remember, you don’t have to do what they advise. You are just gathering information.
Remember that good, wise decisions are always accompanied with peace. If you are troubled about the next step that you are contemplating…step back and put things on pause until you have peace about it.
REFUSE TO WORRY!!!!
Keeping yourself in an open, peaceful state of mind is important while you wait for the answer to your next step. An anxious state may even prevent you from knowing the answer, even if it’s starring you in the face. To live your best life now, refuse to do anything, if you’re not sure of the next step. Pausing and staying in place for a time is always preferable when the alternative is making mistakes that are hard to undo. Practicing the virtue of patience will help you avoid unnecessary steps and get you to that next step of success!
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