God, How Much Longer

This book ends on a strong note, i.e., an emphasis on seeking God's guidance in a clear manner and acting boldly in seeing fulfillment of that God given revelation. In addition to the conclusion, there are some helpful tidbits throughout the book. For example in the first chapter a quote from William James offers insight on managing emotions when he observed, "The memory of an insult may make us angier than the insult did when we received it." The whole chapter is on God's grace and he discusses it in a unique way. In the fifth chapter readers are reminded that in burden-bearing it is better to focus on what one has than on the problem. In chapter eight, a quote from Oswald Chambers drives home the point of working one's faith. "Faith by its very nature must be tried..." he tell us. Chapter nine reminds us that God has appointed times. The man Jesus healed by the Pool of Bethesda is the Scripture from which he develops this teaching. Stofel writes, "If positioning ourselves is the first step, then waiting for the appointed time is the second." He goes on to note that God moves in "disguised ways" and that it's an adventure to discover God in places one never expected. He advises to look for God and not focus on how he MIGHT answer. It's odd, but in looking at my margin notes I see this book had more substance than I originally thought. His quirky examples and the way he used other people in a negative light to make points threw me when I read it, but in reviewing the substantive parts I see there's more here than just a collection of anecdotes about family, acquaitances and pets.

I don't know about you, but I am always trying to tell God that NOW is the time for everything I want. I want to say my prayer and open my eyes and see the answer. How about you? I think in my case He probably puts on ear-muffs when He sees me coming! *smile*. It is always difficult for us to understand God's timing, we are such a people that we want everything now and it is difficult for us when God says to wait. In this work by author Robert Stofel we are shown that with God patience is possible as we wait for answered prayer and in general in life. Hard to believe, I know, but true nevertheless. Mr. Stofel shows the reader how to trust the Lord and stay in peace while waiting for our prayers to be answered. It is written in a warm, understanding way that will certainly encourage and strengthen those of us who ask time and time again, "God, how much longer?" Looking for peace while you wait? This is the book for you. Very well done, and one that will be a great encourager for those who are praying, waiting, watching and looking to Him.