Recently my son Micah had a crick in his neck that just didn't want to go away. I bought one of those disposable instant ThermaCare heat wraps in an effort to apply some concentrated heat therapy right on the spot of discomfort. Quick and easy to use, those little things put out quite a bit of heat and last for about 8 hours. Amazing! I was pondering this and thought about the similarity between this scenario and my prayer life. "OUCH! God it hurts! Help me please!"

I cry out when something hurts, when there is pain in my life, when I would really appreciate some instant relief *thank you very much).  Please God, no long-term therapy, ok?  I don't have time to go through pain and want this to go away now.  Eight hours max  and even that seems too long.

First Samuel gives the account of how David is pursued by King Saul for 8 years. David has been anointed as the next king of Israel by Samuel, but David refuses to take Saul's life and become king himself. He is unjustly and hotly pursued by Saul even though he proves his allegiance to his king over and over again. The Psalms are filled with David's agonizing pleas to God to deliver him and to "take away his pain" (as in, NOW)!

"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me"

Did David have a bad attitude as he waited on the Lord to answer his prayer to deliver him?  I bet he wanted some instant relief as well - the 8-hour type instead of the 8-year version.  I don't know what his attitude was like while he was waiting, but there is the end to his cry:

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6

God, please help me to learn what I need to in those seasons of pain.  Help me endure and be patient as I wait on you. Help me to trust in your UNFAILING love - even if it takes longer than eight hours.