It Takes Time

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. - Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever made up your mind to do something and wished it could be done right then and there? A few years ago I had a terrible end to a relationship. I was done and needed to move on. Unfortunately I wanted to be done in that instant. I wanted to leave and already be healed. I wanted to walk away and already not feel any pain by the separation. I wanted to be whole and new ignoring the fact that my heart was just broken and my life was about to change. It was told to me multiple times that it takes time. I would respond with whyyyyyyyyy? I have learned my lesson. Let’s just move on. Wipe the slate completely clean. Let’s get to the next story. But the thing with stories is that they need to wrap up with closure and end or there will be more and more and more chapters. This was something I definitely did not want to drag on. 

I had to realize that it will take time. Time to move through the emotions. Time to heal the broken parts. Time to get past the pain. Time is the key here. God said there is a time for everything. He makes sure to mention it in the Bible. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-15) So there I was realizing that I was not going to get what I wanted now. I was going to have to go through the process and each stage in time. But the good thing with all of this is that even though time lasts forever this was going to come to an end. It’s good to also make note of how much progress you make as you go through life.

Think of where you were emotionally last year as opposed to this year.

Were you more afraid or less afraid? Were you more patient or less patient? Were you closer to your goal then or now? Going through life its not always easy being able to tell if you’ve made any progress. Think of it like weight loss. You compare your notes often. You weigh yourself and compare it to last week or last month. Why not do the same with life. Last month you would have thrown a chair at the problem but this month you would only kick the chair. I would say that’s progress. Yay! 

The more you check on your progress the more optimistic you get as you get closer to your goal. Next thing you know the thing that made you cry at one point will no longer have that power over you and just knowing that huge step has happened will feel amazing. Though there are times when it looks like we have taken two steps backwards and that can be super discouraging. Knowing that not only did you throw the chair. Now you are lighting a match and setting it on fire. That’s okay too. That doesn’t mean you are hopeless and its over. Setbacks are all part of life. Sometimes its a sign that you were moving too quickly. Sometimes its a sign that you weren’t ready to take that next step. But whatever it is the time will come when you pass that step and keep walking onwards. 

It hurts now. It sucks now. But it won’t be forever. Just give it time. You are already one minute better than you were a minute ago.