"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious about nothing. But in all things, with prayer and supplication, with acts of thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And so shall the peace of God, which exceeds all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7) Part of the patient waiting we must exercise in the spiritual life involves this admonition of St. Paul. What are the elements he points out to us? 1. Rejoice in the moment ; 2. Remembering that the Lord is present in the present moment; 3. Do not be anxious; 4. Pray with thanksgiving in our petitions; 5. His peace will guard our hearts during this time. This does not happen automatically nor come easy for any of us. It is something that develops with practice and endurance, which calls for patience on our part. But what is the alternative to this? Is it not anxiety and fear? Is it not seeking instant gratification in something here and now? We have been there many times. Now we are called to try something different.