Little By Little

Little by little.

The best things rarely come quickly and easily. Get rich quick schemes generally don’t work. Things cooked in a crock pot, or simmered on the stove usually taste better than those cooked in a microwave. Brewed coffee is better than instant.

Slow and steady reaps better results than occasional sprints. Yet, we are often impatient. We want what we want now. If a goal takes too long to achieve, we may give up the pursuit and try for something more accessible.

We may wonder why it seems God takes so long to answer some of our prayers. When God sent His people into the Promised Land, He said He would drive out their enemies, but He would do it little by little. God explained He would not drive them out all at once, because His people weren’t ready to handle the responsibility. If God drove them out quickly and completely, the land would become desolate. The wild animals would multiply and threaten them. Little by little God would drive out their enemies before them. In time, the Israelites would increase enough to take possession of the land. (Exodus 23:27-30)

God does the same for us. He intends blessings for us. But He doesn’t give us everything at once. If we received it all before we are ready to handle it properly, it could ruin us instead of bless us. Life gives us many examples of how gaining something little by little is better than receiving it immediately.

In the early years of our marriage, my husband and I argued over the dumbest things–things long forgotten and no longer of any importance. Years of being together have taught us how to work through disagreements. As we have each grown in our faith, we have become less selfish. If God had removed all the conflict from the very beginning, I don’t think we would have learned to appreciate each other as much as we do now.

Stories abound of people who win the lottery and two years later are worse off than before they won. When people have not learned to manage small amounts of money, they often don’t know what to do with a sudden large increase.

Cramming may get a student through a test. But long-term knowledge comes from slow, careful, and consistent study. The same is true with learning the Scriptures. One can read through the Bible quickly, but may not retain much information. Spiritual growth takes time, and it is not synonymous with Bible knowledge. Day by day, listening to God instruct through His Word is what transforms lives.

When it seems God is taking too long to answer our prayers, He may be doing something that can only be accomplished little by little. Be patient. His timing is perfect.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Proverbs 37:7 NLT

How have you experienced God’s perfect timing? Please leave a comment below.

Blessings,
Phyllis

© 2026 Phyllis L. Farringer

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