The Cost of Impatience: A Reflection on Faith and Patience
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
Life often corners us into situations where urgency feels like the only choice. The weight of overdue bills, strained relationships, or unmet desires can make waiting seem impossible. In such moments, it feels natural to grasp for the quickest solution a rash decision that promises immediate relief. But, as I’ve discovered through my own stumbles, these hasty fixes often come at a steep price, unraveling in ways that leave us wishing we’d trusted in something greater than ourselves.
We live in a world that glorifies quick results. "Act fast, or you’ll miss out!" the world screams, reinforcing the illusion that everything worth having must be seized in the blink of an eye. But the Creator, in infinite wisdom, whispers a different truth: Wait. Trust. Be still. Acting in haste often masks deeper issues, like fear, pride, or doubt, and leads us to decisions that satisfy the moment but fail the future.
I’ve lived this lesson more times than I’d like to admit. There were moments when my impatience pushed me to force situations that weren’t meant to unfold on my terms. I pursued relationships out of loneliness, only to discover they weren’t meant to last. I chased after opportunities that looked golden but carried burdens I wasn’t prepared to bear. And, perhaps most painfully, I let my ego drive me to cut ties with people who could have been enduring blessings in my life.
In those moments of pride, I told myself I was being “decisive” or “strong,” but in reality, I was acting out of fear fear of being hurt, fear of looking weak, or fear of uncertainty. And while I may have won a few battles getting the last word or proving a point I lost far greater things: relationships, peace of mind, and the steady alignment with the Creator’s plan for me.
Quick fixes, whether they stem from anger, frustration, or desperation, rarely solve the real problem. Sure, they might patch things up for a moment, but the underlying issues remain, waiting to resurface. It's like trying to fix a cracked foundation with a coat of paint the illusion of repair may last a while, but eventually, the cracks will grow.
Yes, there are emergencies where swift action is unavoidable paying rent, repairing a car, or addressing an urgent medical need. In these situations, quick responses are necessary, but even then, acting out of faith rather than panic makes all the difference. Faith anchors us. It reminds us to pause and seek guidance before rushing into action.
I’ve found that prayer, meditation, and even fasting provide an alternative approach to life’s pressing challenges. These practices don’t promise immediate results, but they shift the focus from fear to trust. They remind us that we are not navigating life alone. The Creator is with us, working in ways we cannot always see. When I’ve taken the time to pause, pray, and reflect, I’ve often found solutions that were clearer, more sustainable, and better aligned with the life I truly wanted.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is that impatience stems from a lack of faith not just in the Creator but in myself. When I doubted my ability to endure hardship or uncertainty, I acted out of a desperate need to control the situation. But every time I forced something to happen, the results brought more frustration than relief.
For example, I once fought hard for a promotion, believing it would solve my financial problems. I got the job, but the stress and discontent it brought far outweighed the financial benefit. I’ve also clung to relationships that weren’t meant for me, out of fear of loneliness, only to find myself more isolated than ever. And let me not forget the arguments I started or escalated simply because I couldn’t swallow my pride. Winning the fight felt good in the moment, but the wounds on both sides cut deep and healed slowly.
Patience is not passive it’s an act of courage and faith. It’s choosing to trust that the Creator’s timing is better than our own, even when the way forward feels clouded. Patience requires humility, the willingness to sit with discomfort, and the discipline to resist acting on every impulse. It demands that we listen for the quiet voice of the Divine, which often speaks not in urgency, but in peace.
If you find yourself feeling rushed or overwhelmed, ask yourself: Why am I so eager to act? What am I afraid will happen if I wait? Often, the answers reveal fears and insecurities that go deeper than the situation at hand. And it’s in facing these truths, rather than avoiding them, that real growth begins.
I urge you to consider the long-term cost of your decisions. Before you act, take a moment to breathe, reflect, and ask for the Creator’s guidance. Not every opportunity is meant to be seized, and not every problem requires an immediate solution. Sometimes, the wisest choice is to let things unfold naturally, trusting that what is truly meant for you will come in its own time.
Patience teaches us to let go of the illusion of control. It shows us that our ego, with its constant need for validation and dominance, often leads us astray. When we surrender our need to control every outcome, we create space for the Creator to work miracles in our lives miracles we might have missed had we rushed ahead.
I speak these words not as someone who has mastered patience, but as someone who has learned its value through struggle. The Creator’s timing has rarely aligned with my own, but it has always proven to be perfect. The peace, fulfillment, and blessings I sought were not found in the quick fixes or hasty decisions I once relied on, but in the quiet surrender to faith and trust.
So, the next time you feel the urge to act quickly, remember: haste may bring relief, but faith brings peace. Trust in the Creator’s plan, even when it doesn’t make sense. Wait for the blessings that are meant for you they will come, and they will be worth every moment of patience.
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