
I think we can all agree that waiting is not fun. Or at-least most of the time it’s not fun, especially when you’re waiting for a longer period of time. The amount of time that we wait normally determines our attitude/posture towards our wait. Sure we can wait a few minutes or even some weeks, but after some months go by, our lack of patience can begin to show. Some people begin to make moves on their own in anticipation of getting out of waiting sooner and others mope, complain, murmur, and even may become discouraged while in the middle of waiting. Wherever you are in your waiting season, this post has some wisdom for you.
I remember crying out to God asking Him to grow me in every area so that I would look more like Him. Little did I realize in the beginning that He wasn’t just going to do this overnight without some participation on my end. I started facing different obstacles, nothing that seemed out of the ordinary of regular life. But the Lord would remind me here and there "this is happening to grow you". I’ve experienced grief, having to forgive people daily, having to forgive myself daily, sickness, guilt, disappointment (a lot of disappointment) and more. You name it I’ve pretty much gone through it. But there is one thing out of all of them that has been one of the hardest challenges to get through and that is waiting correctly.
To wait correctly in the eyes of the Lord, is to not complain, murmur, or become faithless along the way.
When we wait correctly that means our heart posture is always turned towards patience, silence, and hope. If the Lord said it, He will see it through.
I think one of the hardest things about making it through the middle of a waiting season is seeing others come out of theirs. Even though we may try to avoid it, often our hearts start to ask when is it my turn. We look at what they have and we can say wow God really blessed them and then this imaginary mirror comes up to reflect our lives and we see our deficit compared to their fulfillment. A lot of this of course is the enemy seeking to bring us into discouragement/loss of hope.
So if you are in the middle of a waiting season, here are some tips that will help you get through it.
Stay focused on positive
There is nothing that makes your waiting season feel more prolonged than by focusing on what you wish you had. By constantly focusing on your desire of where you want to be, you create a vast awareness of the lack in where you are today. If you focus on the positives of your current situation, you’ll create more of a heart of gratitude and thankfulness which allows you to experience more of the beauty in today. You get to walk with God through where you are right now and you will only experience the fullness of it if you stay focused on positive.
Know your triggers
Triggers are things or situations that cause a response in you, whether it be good or negative. For example, as someone who is waiting for marriage, I stray away from watching too many love stories as it causes me to focus too much on my desire for marriage. Or if you are someone who is waiting on God to heal you, then do not listen to anything that would cause you to doubt God’s desire to heal you. Most of the time we know what our triggers are but we ignore them. So while you are in your waiting season, do your best to avoid them.
Keep faith alive
I know that for me, watching testimonies of other people who have been through what I’m going through, ignites my faith like no other! There’s something about hearing a testimony that you can relate to that builds your faith and gives you hope to make it through. In the same that you need to work to avoid your triggers, you also need to work keep your faith alive. Fuel your faith in God by remembering what He has done for you in the past, staying attached to those who encourage you, and constantly keeping His promise before you daily. Don’t let your faith in God die for even a second. Avoid fear, doubt, and unbelief like the plague, and work to remember God’s goodness.
Remember why you are waiting
One thing that I hear so often when people are talking about business is to know your why. Your why is an explanation of why you do the work that you do. Well in comparison to a waiting season, you also need to remember why you are waiting. Are you waiting because you are trying to stay faithful to God? Are you waiting because God gave you a specific promise? Are you waiting because you want to live right and do things the right way? Whatever it is, remembering why you are waiting will help you to endure longer as it gives you an anchor to hold on to in those rough days.
You can even find an anchor Scripture that is relative to your why. Here are a few examples:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." -Isaiah 40:31
“For no word from God will ever fail.” -Luke 1:37
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” -Mark 9:23
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" -Matthew 5:8
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.” -Psalms 24:3-5
Keep your faith! God will not let you down in your time of waiting.
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