Delayed Gratification

I believe the thought, “I should’ve waited…” crosses people’s minds all the time. I’ve sat with this thought myself, when I think about different things I wish I would’ve approached differently, knowing what I know now. I’ve discovered how unwise it is to make decisions based off emotions, off of what your family and friends are doing, or rather appear to be doing, and have seen how detrimental not waiting has been in the lives of different people I know. It’s a constant reminder to me, of the importance in doing things God’s way, and the wonderful gift of delayed gratification. Delayed gratification is defined as resisting a temptation for a smaller and immediate award, while enduring and holding out for a bigger and better reward. Basically, short term sacrifices for a long term benefit kind of thing. I believe that delayed gratification is a sign of maturity. A sign of immaturity is wanting what you want right away, without thinking of the bigger picture, and as unwise as it is to handle things this way, I see it happen all the time and I’m not into it, and will have no parts of it. I believe waiting, and doing things God’s way will always outweigh what you may perceive everyone else is doing. I’ll issue this warning though: doing things His way will likely come with criticism, occasional loneliness, and people thinking you’re trippin’ lol – this often happens to those that deviate from the path that seems socially normal, or looks like what everyone else is doing, but I know and have experienced that living within God’s will, and doing things His way, is the safest place to be. Romans 14:8 reads, “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we love therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” If I live and die for Him, what other people say or think is ultimately, meaningless. Delaying gratification and doing things God’s way will pay off, and I know from personal experiences, God rewards obedience and a willingness to approach things, His way. Delayed gratification is the new cool. Try it out.