Happy Wednesday. My prayer is that you are doing well. That you are feeling gratitude for your blessings. I am grateful you took time out of your day to read this.

In my reading yesterday, I came across the mention of these three words together. They impressed me. In encouraging others, it is important to lay a foundation of staying power. The desire for change must be a priority.

Faith – Whatever your goal, you must have faith in what you are doing. Faith in the journey and faith in the purpose. Why did you choose this goal? What is your motivation for staying, having faith? Having faith means you keep your eyes on the purpose and the prize. God gives us the guidance, the strength, and the wisdom to accomplish these goals when based on His purpose and service to others.

Consistency is the next word. Keep at it. In our microwave, “I want it now” culture, consistency is put on the back-burner. Note that the thing you want to change took longer than fifteen minutes to develop. The process is truly what changes you. Of course we want the results. But consider this, when you receive the results, you look back and it was the process, or the journey, that penetrates your heart. You think about what you had to deal with or go through to accomplish your goals. You conclude that you are stronger than you thought you were. That you are more resilient than you thought you were. And, praise God, you are still here. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). Yes, I have to add Scripture.

Patience is an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. Patience is the ability to trust and wait on God. His timing is the best. Patience is accepting that everything is not under your control. You are the only thing you can control. What I found out when acquiring my Masters’ degree is that when I focus on the task at hand and am mindful of the here and now, restlessness dissipates. Delay is another reminder that we really don’t control much but ourselves. It can be sobering but liberating at the same time.

The ingredients above take time and practice. Celebrate the small steps and enjoy the process.

Be blessed.