FLASHBACK: Three Keys to Developing Patience

As a leader, I'm unaccustomed to sitting on the sidelines for so long. In fact, in my 15 years of ministry, this is one of two extended periods of "rest" I've endured. I hate it.

If you've ever had a season of rest between jobs, or maybe some down time between projects, you might understand the frustration. One of the traits of a leader is a drive towards significance, a desire to do things that create meaningful outcomes on the world. It can be misconstrued as arrogance, but a sincere leader is always looking for a way to do something that matters. That's why a period of inactivity, a time of stillness, can often feel like torture.

The mind wanders. The doubts creep in. Suddenly, a Godly desire for significance is corrupted into the sin of pride. I want to matter. I want to make a difference. I want to lead.

So we begin to push. We start working our email contacts. We start jotting down a thousand and one ideas. We plan, think, and dream big, reasoning that when God finally opens the door for us, we'll be ready to do something awesome. But the door doesn't open. The email inbox goes strangely dry. Our ideas suddenly seem lamer than Pepsi Clear.

God wants you to wait. He has something to show you. So how do you handle this period of "rest?" How can you find the patience to wait for God's best?

1. Put All the Pressure On God
   This is obvious, but leaders often forget that everything we do depends on God. We often think that our passivity means that nothing is getting done, but God is always at work beyond our awareness.That means during a time of rest, the pressure is on Him, not on us. Understanding this truth decreases the anxiety that comes from our sense of obligation and opens us up to truly resting in God's strength.
2. Don't Fall Into the Pity Trap
   One of the major issues that crop up during a season of rest is to fall into self-pity. Things are moving slowly, or not at all, and so the temptation is to feel bad for ourselves. Self-pity is a perverse form of pride; it elevates us to the position of importance, and makes our wants and needs urgent above all else. When tempted to believe the worst of our situation, we need something to draw our attention.
3. Cultivate Gratitude
   The antidote for self-pity is gratitude. Being thankful for life turns our focus from what's missing into what we have. And don't make it a trite exercise either; genuinely reflect on the blessings of your life in order to grasp the significance of each. Gratitude is a discipline and must be cultivated as such. Keep a journal or record a video on your phone of things for which you are grateful. Make it a habit to express your gratitude as you become aware of it, telling people how you feel in the moment. There are plenty of ways to cultivate gratitude, so find one that works for you.

Soon enough you'll find the season of rest coming to an end and the familiar pull of busyness will take over. And the patience that you've developed during your down time might just be one of your greatest assets during the new season you're entering.

Have you ever struggled with a season of rest? How did you come to peace with God's work during that time? Have you found that gratitude is a key to a well-balanced life as a leader? Share your thoughts below.