Waiting ~ with an expectant heart or with a grumbling heart ~ our CHOICE
How would you describe your attitude when God asks you to wait? Anxious; Annoyed; Disappointed or Trusting; Peaceful; Joyful in the process. In Isaiah 30:18-21, it says, "Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as He hears it, He answers you. And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. and your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (ESV)
We live in a world of instant gratification, so WHY should we wait? God clearly gives us the answer in James 1:2-4. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (ESV) The NIV uses the word perseverance rather than steadfastness. He is building our character and shaping us in a way that is for our good and in a way that will bring Him glory.
Several weeks ago at Titus 2 Women, a friend of mine, Christy Sansom shared some thoughts on waiting ~ something we all have to do from time to time. It's how we respond in the waiting process that matters. Christy shared how God taught her as she waited on Him during an illness she experienced a couple of years ago and the blessings she received in the process as she trusted in Him and His perfect design for her life.
After sharing her story, she gave us 7 things the Lord taught her about waiting:
1. Wait actively and seek His face daily. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
2. Be still and listen ~ worship while you wait ~ don't be in such a hurry to get through the process.
3. Pray out loud ~ pray scripture ~ speak against the devils schemes to discourage you while you wait. Ephesians 6:10
4. Keep a journal ~ during your quiet time, write down your thoughts or write out a prayer to the Lord ~ go back and read it later ~ it's a good reminder of God's faithfulness.
5. Don't try to find your way out of the fire ~ let God finish what He wants to accomplish. He'll get you through any suffering and pain you might be experiencing along the way. When you try to escape too quickly, you may have to repeat the process. Words to think about.
6. Don't try to figure out why it's happening ~ trust God's Sovereignty. Ask Him to reveal any sin in your life at this time.
7. Continue serving where He calls you to serve. He may call you out of one area and place you in another. He may also put serving on hold for a season. (For Christy, God put her music ministry on hold during her illness, but gave her another place to serve as she waited ~ she chose to serve Him with joy.)
She also shared the following verses that have to do with waiting and going through trials/suffering.
• James 1:1-12 (especially verses 1-2)
• Ephesians 3:12-13
• 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
• 1 Peter chapters 3-4 (especially 4:12-13, 5:8-10)
• Malachi 3:3 (She also talked about how God uses the refiners fire to burn away impurities.)
As you look at the verses above, ask yourself:
• What impurities are in your life?
• What is God doing to burn away those impurities?
• What is your response as your are going through trial ~ praising Him or complaining?
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Remember "the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10c
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