Waiting Well

Hey Good People,

Waiting for anything can be hard. I think we all have experienced some sort of wait in our lifetime. Whether it is something as big as waiting on a promotion at work or closing a big business deal. Or it could be something simpler of just waiting for your favorite coffee in a long Starbucks line. I will admit the second example is a little silly. However, what I realized recently is regardless of how silly it may seem to us, God’s grace to help us while we wait holds the same depth in any situation.

For me, 2019 has been year of waiting. My patience has been stretched tremendously this year. Two blogs ago, I mentioned how I have situations and requests up before the Lord that I have been praying about for a while now. If I am being completely transparent, a part of me thought that since I followed God’s instruction and laid out my heart of feeling empty handed that I would begin to see my prayers being answered. Guess what, I’m still waiting. Discouragement and doubt have tried to creep in to make me feel like God has forgotten about me. “I mean, really God, we’re about to close out the year and a decade. Have you really forgotten about me?” Short answer He gave me, “Nah. There’s a lesson in this.”

God has been revealing to me lately that my wait has a purpose that I will soon understand and be grateful for. One thing He has been showing me is the importance of character development. Some times we are forced to wait for our heart’s desire because we have some maturing to do. Maybe that thing we’re waiting on, God knows if we get it right now, it will become an idol or something that we will put in the place of our relationship with Him. Or He knows that receiving that request will cause a greater since of pride in us and instead of giving it back to God, we take every opportunity to boast in it so we can look pleasurable or accomplished to others.

This was a gut check for me and my toes were crushed! I am not sure if I have said it explicitly on this platform but I struggle with people pleasing. So, I really had to sit in this revelation and reflect on if I want my prayers answered now so I can look good to others or if I really want them answered to bring glory to God. This made it even more clear why God is having me to wait in this season. This led me to seek out ways to wait well. Meaning being intentional to remain positive, content in the waiting and remain encouraged.

Maybe you’re like me and are a little frustrated, disappointed, discouraged, doubtful, and maybe even feeling hopeless that these things you are waiting on will never happen. First thing I did, and encourage you to do, is bring those feelings and emotions to Jesus. Tell Him how you feel. Say it out loud or write in a journal. Confess it! He knows already anyway but in my experience, telling Him personally is a sign of surrendering those emotions to Him so He can help us and change our perspective. Our God is big enough to handle it, so let Him have it.

Another thing I have been told to do in my waiting is allowing my community to wait with me. God told me to tell my squad about my current season and allow them to be there for me. So, I requested prayer and accountability from my squad.  I think this is one thing we often take for granted. We need each other, y’all. I know some times it is hard to be open with people but we’re killing ourselves trying to do it all on our own. My husband, friends and close relatives have been able to encourage me in ways I didn’t think of. If I did not begin to let them in and help me wait, I know that I would not be in the content place that I am right now. Learn and discern who your people are and allow them to be there for you. There is a blessing in true community.

Lastly, stay in His face. Read His word daily. Pray frequently. Listen to worship music more than you listen to the other stuff. Go to church as often as you can. When our patience is short, being isolated from God won’t help. So, we have to be diligent and intentional to not let the wait consume us. Stay busy in God so He can cultivate your character, change your perspective, give you new revelation and prepare you for what you have been waiting on.

“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

You didn’t think I would end this post without a scripture of encouragement did you? Isaiah reminds us that waiting is not a bad thing when it comes to God. So, whatever you are waiting on know that God has not forgotten you.

This wait will not consume you nor will it take you out. Even though it may feel heavy the weight of disappointment, the weight of hopelessness, the weight of inadequacy, or whatever the weight/wait is… in Jesus’ name, you will not be weary and you will not faint! Take heart that God has you covered and in His perfect timing, you will see the purpose of the wait. Even as we come to the end of 2019 and move into 2020, be encouraged. God’s grace is sufficient and the purpose of it all will soon be revealed.

Be content and always remember your portion (even if it’s waiting) has purpose.  

I’ll see you in 2020!

With Love,

Tam