It turns out that a scientist can see the future by watching four-years-olds interact with a marshmallow. The researcher invites the children, one by one, into a plain room and begins the gentle torment. ''You can have this marshmallow right now,'' he says. ''But if you wait while I run an errand, you can have two marshmallows when I get back.'' And then he leaves.
Some children grab the treat the minute he's out the door. Some last a few minutes before they give in. But others are determined to wait. They cover their eyes; they put their heads down; they sing to themselves; they try to play games or even fall asleep. When the researcher returns, he gives these children their hard-earned marshmallows. And then, science waits for them to grow up.
By the time the children reach high school, something has happened. A survey of the children's parents and teachers found that those who as four-years-olds had the fortitude to hold out for the second marshmallow generally grew up to be better adjusted, more popular, adventurous, confident and dependable teenagers. The children who gave in to temptation early on were more likely to be lonely, easily frustrated and stubborn. They buckled under the stress and shied away from challenges.
Which four-year-old are you? Are you willing to be patient and wait for the goodies? Do you want to grab all we can now and forget about the prize ahead? Like the four-year-old who wasn't patient, he only wished to have the marshmallow now because he/she didn't trust what the adult said.
However, we could also be like that four-year-old who believed what was said and took the pain to fight the temptation and not eat the marshmallow. This could be likened to trusting God for something and we are not willing to let go of it. Instead, we focus on what we have now and not trust him for what he would give us or believe in the promises which he has for us. The Bible says we should have childlike faith.
Matthew18:2-5 The Message (MSG)
''For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me.''
For a four-year-old, it may seem like something hard to do. It is also the same for us as children of God. There are things that are pleasurable to our eyes, and we choose to grab those things now and forget about the future. James 1:2 The Message (MSG)
There's a prize for those willing to be patient? Are you willing to wait? GOD BLESS YOU!Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
