Instant Gratification vs. Delayed Gratification

The first day I stared at this particular blank page with this particular topic was around September of 2018. I learned about instant gratification and delayed gratification when I was in college and it followed me from there. I don't really remember what my former professor was discussing at the time, but the words delayed and gratification stuck to me like a leech.

I realized then and there how most of us in the millennial generation is all about instant gratification. But being part of this generation, I do understand why... given all the technology available for us to use. Then again, I sometimes wish I wasn't given much luxury growing up. No, my family is not well off, not then, and not now. But like many middle-class families, we get to taste a few luxuries every now and then. Meaning, I was never deprived of anything, and though I never got the latest phones or tablets, I never felt like I was missing out. What I'm trying to say is that I wish I was born at a much simpler time. When one has to really show an effort to be seen as a hard-working employee or student. You know? Like going to an actual library instead of googling stuff. Or going door-to-door to sell any merchandise instead of advertising your products online. Those days. 

The problem is, because of how easy it is to search for topics or stalk someone, the more impatient we become. Subconsciously we expect life to be as fast as the internet which is ridiculous. And because of the young successful people we admire online, some, if not most, try to find their easiest way to success all of it coming from online peer pressure, which is now a thing, apparently. 

Don't get the wrong idea though because we should still grab as many opportunities as we can. But we should also take note that not all opportunities are worth taking. Sometimes, the first offer is good, the second is better, but the third, if you were patient enough for the third, is great. It's a risky mindset, I'm not going to lie. But based on experience, the first offer is only temporary. If I could turn back time, I would've waited for my hypothetical "third offer."
Just like you, I suppose I was scared there wouldn't be another offer knocking on my door. And there wasn't, but that was only because after taking the first one, I shut the door completely, not letting any other offer come in.
Delayed gratification is all about patience and trust. Remember that nothing worthwhile comes easy. And if God has taught me anything last year, it's that He will never give us a challenge we can't handle and that everything, including our failures, happens for a good reason.