"Patience is a virtue in problem solving if you are at the same time doing all that you can to fix the situation."

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2013-10-08) from his book, Sometimes You Win--Sometimes You Learn:Life's Greatest Lessons Are Gained from Our Losses (p. 152). Center Street. Kindle Edition.

He then says, “It is not a virtue if you are waiting, hoping that the problem will solve itself or just go away. Problems demand that we pay them attention. Why? Because left alone they almost always get worse.”

Let me give you an example.  Over the holidays I have gained about 18 lbs. that I had lost.  That is a problem that I can feel in my joints and it has the potential to make me an invalid in my later years.  That is what I know will happen if I am just patient and do nothing.  I have to do something drastic at my age to lose the weight.  And that is where the patience comes in.  Weight doesn’t come off fast at 65+.  So I have gone back to doing what I know will help to solve my weight problem and I am patient in believing that if I keep doing it or whatever else I need to do I will lose the 18 lbs. and more. 

You see, problems left alone usually get worse.   But you might say, “I have asked God to handle this problem and by faith I am waiting for Him to handle it.  I’m being patient.”  I understand that situation but there still is a part you play in solving the problem.  God will let you know your part.  But there is the potential as you are doing what you believe God has asked you to do that the problem will get worse but because of your obedience and your trust in God He through you and in you will eventually help you solve the problem. 

Now the key is you did three things.  You asked Him to handle the problem and then you asked Him what you were to do in solving the problem and then you did what He said.  You didn’t stick your head in the sand and do nothing. 

Don’t get all worked up about the problem.  That in no way helps, it hurts but you need to relax and be patient and seek an answer to solving it no matter how long it takes.   The virtue is in believing that you will at some point be able to solve the problem and do something about it.

So what are you doing about your problem?