Are you desperately waiting for an answer or breakthrough, healing or restoration, provision, direction or for a door to open? How are we supposed to wait on the Lord? What does active waiting look like?
- Trust His perfect timing
God promises in Isaiah 60:22: “At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” Habakkuk 2:3 says: “For the revelation awaits an appointed time… Though it lingers, wait for it: it will certainly come and will not delay.” God knows that there will be moments when we start doubting His promises, because we tend to focus on our current circumstances. He sees the entire picture and everything behind the closed door. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” It doesn’t simply say that God makes things happen in time. It says He makes them beautiful in their time. There is something incredibly comforting about that. If you look at the back of an intricately embroidered picture, while it is being made, you might see a confusing collection of threads crossing over one another. We must remember that the Designer sees the other side, the masterpiece, and that He knows exactly where every thread belongs. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
- Allow His preparation
According to Romans 5:3-4 “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” We often feel like praying: “Lord, change my circumstances,” but sometimes God says: “Let Me change something in you while you are in those circumstances.” Our waiting room can become His preparation room where He develops our perseverance, strength of character and faith and teaches us dependence upon Him. Think about a seed. When you plant a seed, for a while you see nothing, but underneath the soil something is happening. Roots are developing. Life is growing. The fact that you cannot see it doesn’t mean that nothing is happening. So, instead of asking, “Lord, when will this happen?” rather ask, “Lord, what are You developing in me while I wait?” Sometimes the person who receives the promise must first become the person who is able to carry the promise. The quality of God’s work is worth waiting for. He is concerned with His purpose.
- Guard your heart
Proverbs 13:12 says: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” When something we have hoped for doesn’t happen, disappointment can slowly creep into our hearts, and we can become despondent and start doubting God’s goodness. We can say: “Lord, I don’t understand this. It really hurts. I’m tired, but I still trust in Your goodness. Lord, I know that my circumstances and emotions can change, but Your goodness and faithfulness never change.”
- Hope in God alone
David says in Psalm 39:7 “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You”. He does not say, “My hope is in the answer.” He says, “My hope is in You (Lord.)” I may not know when the answer will come or what it will look like. I may not understand why the road has been so difficult, but I can say: “My hope is in You; not merely in what You will do, but in who You are! I know that You are never careless with the details of my life.” This is where our peace begins. If my hope is completely tied to a particular outcome or timeline, then every delay threatens my peace, but if my hope is anchored in God Himself, circumstances cannot move the foundation beneath me.
- Wait actively
Galatians 6:9 says: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Sometimes the greatest temptation in a prolonged waiting season is simply to give up. Paul encourages us to keep praying, obeying, loving, walking, planting and trusting. Keep following the example of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, even though you may not see the harvest or the answer yet.
- Embrace His grace
Isaiah 40:31 says “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 faint.” Sometimes we cry, we become tired and wonder whether we have enough faith to keep going. God says; “I will give you strength and grace for today.” You don’t have to know how you will cope with everything that might happen in the future. He will provide manna for you in the same way as He did for the Israelites in the desert.
- Remain confident
Hebrews 10:35-36 says: “So don’t lose your bold, courageous faith, for you are destined for a great reward. You need the strength of endurance to reveal the poetry of God’s will and then you receive the promise in full.” Don’t allow disappointment to steal your expectation. Scripture says: You need to endure to receive the promise. Keep going and stay strong in your faith!
Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me with grace upon grace from Your fullness. Please strengthen my faith and give me endurance. Sweet Jesus, please keep reminding me that You, my Prince of Peace, live inside me and that I can have perfect peace amid my circumstances. I am holding onto Your promise, that You make everything beautiful in its time. Amen
Angelique Conradie