Never rush the recovery

By Rasheda Crockett

Biblical reference: Genesis 8:3-12

When God warned Noah about the rainstorm, He only told Noah it would rain for 40 days and 40 nights. He didn’t mention how long it would take to recover. He didn’t mention the amount of time Noah would have to wait after the storm, before the waters receded and the Earth had become re-inhabitable.

Consider the patience Noah had to exercise.

Genesis 8 Verse 3… At the end of 150 days the water decreased.

NOAH WAITED

Genesis 8 Verse 4… In the seventh month the ark rested on Mount Ararat.

NOAH WAITED

Genesis 8 Verse 5… The water decreased continually until the first day of the tenth month, when finally, the tops of the mountains were able to be seen.

NOAH WAITED

Genesis 8 Verses 6 & 7… Forty days later Noah sent out a raven to scope it out – see if the earth had dried up.

NOAH WAITED

Genesis 8 Verses 8 & 9… Noah sent out a dove who found no rest for her feet because the water was still covering the trees.

NOAH WAITED

Genesis 8 Verses 10 & 11… Another seven days passed. Noah sent the dove out again. The dove returned with an olive leaf in her beak. OK. So now the trees are exposed.

NOAH WAITED

What can we take from this? Don’t. Rush. Your. Recovery.

When the Lord uproots your life.

When the Lord tears down a relationship.

When you have to repair your credit.

When you have to let go of that thing you relied on.

When you have to start all over again.

Don’t. Rush. Your. Recovery.

God didn’t tell Noah the full amount of time he’d need to spend in the ark – with those stinky animals, his kids and their wives, in uncomfortable, confined conditions. He told him how long the storm was going to be, He didn’t talk about the recovery.

Had Noah became impatient and rushed to get back to the Earth before it had fully recovered, he would have surely drowned. Had he become restless and antsy due to his circumstances, and just made a move on his own will because the spirit of anxiety made him believe, “God, I have to get out of here now,” it would have killed him.

Recovery is uncomfortable. Actually, it stinks. It stinks like two animals of every species on Earth living in your home for hundreds of days. But, it’s essential. It’s necessary for your wellness – your survival.

Sometimes after a catastrophic experience, or being tossed into a position where we must start over, we’re so anxious to just “move on” that we rush the recovery process. Your new beginning is there. It’s right there. It’s available to you. But without patience through your recovery, you may perish before you can receive it.

Prayer:

Lord, You know I almost never pray for patience. Because You know I don’t have any, and I am so shook that the moment I pray for patience, then You’re going to test me in my patience. But, I need it. I need patience because without it, I will destroy myself. So, renew in me a patient spirit – to the volume needed for my success and prosperity. My testimony is on the other side of my recovery, and You’re too good and too worthy, for me to miss a chance to give You glory. In Jesus name, Amen.

Rasheda S. Crockett is an actor, improvisor and television writer. Her short film POV had its international debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. As an actor, she was a part of ABC network’s talent showcase – alumni including Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal – and is currently loving the opportunity to share her voice with the world!