I once saw a video intended to show how difficult delayed gratification can be.  Children were placed in a room with a marshmallow on a table in front of them.  A woman told each child that she was going to leave and return so the children were left alone with the marshmallow.  They were told that if they had not eaten the marshmallow, they would get a second one.  One youngster was so excited that he ate his before he even sat down.  Some inched their nose close to it and inhaled deeply.  Some played with the food and others distracted themselves by walking around or placing their head on the table.  Then there were those who just waited patiently.  For those who waited, their radiant faces reflected that it was worth the wait when they got a second marshmallow.

What is your marshmallow today?  What do you feel you need to have now because you seem to lack the self-discipline, foresight, or trust in God to believe there is a second marshmallow in your future?

We live in a society where faster is better.  Do you still own a 3G phone?  I don’t.  We no longer access the web with a dial up connection.  There are plans to build a high-speed rail to run a bullet train between Dallas and Houston Texas.  The 2011 Census Bureau reported that over 93.2% of US households had a microwave.  Having things now is practically ingrained in our culture.  Why write a letter when you can simply send a text message?  Advances in technology make life more convenient but it tends to make us feel entitled to having things now.

Our pace for getting things may be immediate but God does not move at our pace.  Because He is an omniscient or all-knowing, He understands that you desires or your pace may not be best for you.  He knows that the challenge or predicament you may be in is probably best for you at this time and you don’t need to be out of it immediately.  According to scripture, it may be for your own good if you love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). If you find that you struggle with God’s timing for your life, ask to God to help you to surrender your will to Him, right now.

Lord my will is weak

So my plight is meek

Give me the trust I need

To allow you full-control indeed

And I wouldn’t be a slave to impatience

Because I’d know in trials you’re still gracious

 

When I feel hopeless about tomorrow

Only perceiving the fog of my sorrow

To me, the heart of “it’s for my good”, endow

So I won’t need to have my marshmallow now