The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold. – Job 42:10
If you are familiar with the story of Job, you will recall that Job’s friends were not that friendly to him at all. In fact, when Job was at the worst of times, his friends judged, griped, criticized, accused and more. For Job, praying “for his friends” involved a lot more than asking God to bless those he loved and considered dear. It involved a significant amount of forgiveness, acceptance, humility and love. It also involved faith.
It wasn’t until after Job showed grace and kindness to those who had brought him pain during his greatest moments of pain that God restored him. This is because Job had obeyed the law of love and asked God to give His goodness to others. When Job did that, God gave goodness to Job as well.
Learning to wait well with patience involves learning how to put into practice the regularity of living as a child of God. It means putting into practice those things we already know.
Forgiving.
Loving.
Believing.
Working as unto the Lord, even if it’s not your favorite place to work. Honoring the authority over you, even if you don’t particularly like or respect that authority. Bearing with one another’s burdens, even when you feel weighted down by your own.
Do what God has already said to do. Then watch Him usher you straight out of your detour and into your destiny.