'Wait-Lifting' for the New Year

Kathy Carlton Willis, God's Grin Gal, always encourages readers to see life through a biblical perspective and not lose their joy in life. In this New Year's UPGRADE, she addresses the topic of patience—when and how to cultivate it.

“We often comment on how good or bad our waiter is at a restaurant, but I’m not earning any good waiter awards these days when it comes to waiting on life stuff,” Kathy says.

Waiting is hard for me (Dawn) too. Patience is definitely a character trait I need to cultivate! Kathy has wise, helpful counsel for all of us.

Kathy continues . . .

Probably the hardest thing for me, and most of you, is the trial of hurry up and wait. Left unchecked, it tests my patience, challenges my contentment, and sours my joy.

If you are in a season not of your own choosing, you might find yourself wishing for something different or more.

Answers or solutions.

In this era of supply chain shortages, there are much more serious shortages going on.

When it comes to waiting, a lack of patience will practically do us in.

Sometimes, we need the delay for God to prepare us for the answer He is customizing for His purpose to come true in our lives.

Our job when we sense silence on the other end of our prayers is simple.

Wait.

And in the wait, we trust.

And in the trust, we grow patience.

And when patience has grown up, it becomes endurance.

Then we’re ready to run the faith marathon designed with us in mind.

Isn’t it curious that the very thing that causes us to feel impatient is an example of God’s patience? We think He’s being quiet, or even absent from our lives because of our situation. The opposite is true—He is forever present with us.

Having God with us is more important than having—well, anything!

When we have that, the weight of the wait is lifted. (The best kind of “wait-lifting.”)

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2–4 NLT)

Patience is only developed during the wait, never in the rush.

What happens when we wait impatiently? Whether we wait with patience or impatience, it takes just as long, but when we’re impatient, we’re miserable.

Let’s trade our impatience for a new coping skill to help reframe our outlook.

How to Develop Your Patience Muscle

Patience is never more needed and never less present than when we are dealing with a time-out or pause. It’s always best to develop patience ahead of time so that muscle memory shows up when you need it.

Here are some tips.

1. Galatians 5 lists patience as a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

That means it’s up to the Holy Spirit to act in patience through us, and it’s up to us to be yielded to the Spirit.

What does it mean to be yielded or surrendered to the Spirit? It involves us being willing to follow His lead instead of the selfish desires that contradict Scripture.

2. Don’t expect your circumstances to change.

Patience is pumped up just like working a muscle during weightlifting—when it is tested.

3. Know that all human beings struggle with impatience, and only a few learn to be patient during difficult times.

It’s easier to get frustrated than to have faith, and our go-to tends to be in crisis mode rather than choosing to be in Christ.

4. Patience needs to be stored up ahead of time for when you need it, and it gets depleted easily.

Being in God’s Word and talking with Him in the good times banks spiritual fruit for you to have available during the bad times.

5. If you find yourself lacking patience, look through God’s eyes of grace toward the situation or person frustrating you.

This will allow you to put up with much more.

6. Sometimes the person you need to have patience toward is yourself.

Reduce your unrealistic expectations. Allow more do-overs. Confess your flaws to God and ask Him to transform your life.

7. When you realize that your purpose in life is so much bigger than this current circumstance, your ability to be more patient will flourish.

Strive to look at the big picture—the kingdom picture.

8. Patience helps you trust God more.

Trusting God helps you build more patience. They go together. When you have something to hang your hope on, you can wait with patience for all the details to be worked out according to God’s purpose.

9. If you are a Christ follower, you are a temple of God, and conduit for the Spirit to flow through you.

Patience moves unhindered through open conduit but is restricted when that conduit is plugged with pride and self.

10. When you choose to be impatient, you willfully refuse God’s equipment to help you cope with your current situation.

Patience is an act of obedience—evidence of a yielded, Spirit-filled life.

11. Practicing patience is not the same thing as stagnating.

It doesn’t mean you are complacent or compromising. It means you are content in the wait but eager with hope for the next God-thing. It’s not passive.

Patience is active—acting on God’s Word to stand your ground until He moves you on.

12. Patience gives you time to grow a more intimate relationship with the Father.

What New Year’s goal will you set to strengthen your patience muscle?

Kathy Carlton Willis is God’s Grin Gal. She writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Over a thousand of Kathy’s articles have been published and she has several books in her Grin Gal brand. Today’s Upgrade with Dawn is inspired by Kathy’s latest book, Your Life on Hold: Don’t Hate the Wait. Consider joining one of Kathy’s groups for 2023. More information at www.kathycarltonwillis.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio at Pexels.

Waiting in Hope

Joanie Shawhan is an overcomer. Her belief in God's Word and trust in her Savior, Jesus, informs her choices about the struggles of life. It also teaches her how to wait in hope for the God who is in control. In this special Christmas UPGRADE, Joanie approaches the celebration of Advent with the desire to encourage each one of us to "wait in hope.""Mom could no longer manage another winter in her house," Joanie said. "We decided to sell her home and move her into assisted living by Christmas."

My husband and I (Dawn) and his extended family went through something similar with my husband's parents in 2021. It wasn't easy. There were so many challenges—opportunities to trust God. But through it all, we learned a lot about trusting God's timing, and waiting for Him to show Himself mighty. Like Joanie, we learned to "wait in hope."

How does this relate to Christmas?

Joanie continues . . .

Several buyers walked through the house, but they shook their heads. The house needed too much work.

I feared it wouldn’t sell.

Doubt and worry had whittled down my hope and left me exhausted.

A friend reminded me, “You only need one buyer.”

As I prayed, I sensed the Lord nudge me to declare “Jesus is Lord” over our situation. I prayed as God directed. I felt enveloped in a blanket of peace.

Once again, I engaged in the waiting process. But this time accompanied by a new faith and hope.

As I pondered waiting in hope, I was reminded of the Christmas story.

The Long, LO-O-O-ONG Wait!

For centuries, the Israelites waited and watched in hope for the coming of the promised Messiah. Even when they endured persecution and exile, they waited in hope. Against all odds, they believed God would fulfill His Word.

‘“The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6 NIV).

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).

Even though they trusted in God’s Word, did they understand these prophecies concerning the arrival of the Messiah?

It would be 700 YEARS LATER before the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-33 NIV).

Even Mary didn’t understand the Angel’s message. How could the words of this angel be fulfilled since she was still a virgin?

But Mary believed God. Little did Mary know how her “Yes” would not only change her, but would transform the world.

Mary's “yes” acknowledged the Lordship of God as she waited in hope.

When I declare “Jesus is Lord” over my situation, I acknowledge God’s sovereignty as I wait in hope. Even when I don’t understand God’s plan.

How does my declaration of  “Jesus is Lord” help me wait in hope?

• I replace my doubt and unbelief with faith.
• I surrender to the will of God by confessing, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
• I relinquish control of my circumstances. God is in control.
• I acknowledge that when I obey His Word, I am not responsible for the outcome of my situation. God is.
• I express my love for the Lord through my obedience.
• I worship God for who He is and not just for what He can do for me.

Even when I wait in hope, the answer to my prayers is not always the answer I desire. Sometimes I don’t understand why a loving God would allow His children to suffer various trials.

I wonder if Mary recalled Simeon’s words when the Romans nailed her beloved Son to the cross.

“Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’” (Luke 2:34-35 NIV).

Mary didn’t understand God’s plan either. Only later did she see the glory of God.

We may not see God’s glory in our situation on this side of eternity, but as we walk with the Lord, we trust He will be glorified.

Advent is a liturgical season of waiting. A time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

The first of the four candles of advent is the candle of hope. Hope—a light shining in a dark place.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

We can wait in hope because God is faithful.

How are you waiting in hope during this advent season?

Joanie Shawhan shares true-life stories, offering her reader an eyewitness view of the action. Her Selah Awards Finalist book, In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer, reflects the value of “Your story plus my story become our stories.” An ovarian cancer survivor and registered nurse, Joanie speaks to medical students in the Survivors Teaching Students program. She co-founded an ovarian cancer social group: The Fried Eggs—Sunny-Side Up. Publishing credits include: Guideposts Divine Interventions, Snapshots of Hope & Heart, Wit, Whimsy & Wisdom, Life Repurposed, and We May Be Done But We’re Not Finished. Follow Joanie at www.joanieshawhan.com.

Christmas Graphic adapted, courtesy of TerriCnuddle at Pixabay.

Road Work Ahead — Expect Delays!

Dianne Barker's clever use of everyday symbols and circumstances offer lessons for our Christian journey. In this Christian Living UPGRADE, she writes about the tough time so many of us have with waiting.

"'Road work ahead, expect delays.' That’s what the construction sign said. "In other words, prepare to wait," Dianne said.

Oh, how I (Dawn) hate to wait. I always think it's such a waste of time. But Dianne encourages us to get a fresh perspective on delays.

Dianne continues . . . 

The sign provided appropriate advice for the road of life.

The problem with most of us is that we aren’t prepared to wait. We’re geared for full speed ahead.

Waiting is unplanned and unwanted because it often leads to an unexpected and undesirable detour. Reaching the destination has top priority so waiting is never welcome.

I don’t love waiting, yet waiting consumes a large part of life. I should be getting used to it, but it always catches me by surprise.

I never include interruption and delay in my daily plans.

This very moment may find you in an interruption and waiting phase.

• Waiting for biopsy results.
• Waiting for a prodigal child to return.
• Waiting for a family conflict to be resolved.
• Waiting for a terrible hurt to heal.

Sometimes we wait with sweet anticipation.

• Waiting for the husband of our dreams.
• Waiting for a child to be born.
• Waiting for a promised promotion at work.
• Waiting for a spectacular family vacation.

Other times we wait with paralyzing dread.

Once, in such a place, I heard a soft whisper in my spirit:

“You aren’t waiting on a person or a circumstance. You are waiting on God.”

That truth changed my perspective.

Delay is annoying, and my typical response is grumbling—which never has a favorable impact on my situation.

Knowing God holds my life in His hands and that I’m waiting on Him, I only need to surrender my fretful spirit and confirm my trust in His wisdom.

Perhaps God is also waiting—waiting for us to trust Him fully, confident that delay is always for His greater purpose.

Could it be designed to reveal our devotion?

“…The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 13:3b-4 NIV).

I'm wondering if God’s purpose in our waiting might also be to teach us to rest.

Psalm 37 gives a simple strategy for times of waiting.

“Trust in the Lord… delight yourself in the Lord… commit your way to the Lord… be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”

What an exciting possibility!

To be still—to rest—and wait patiently, no matter what. If we rest today, we rest in our present circumstances.

How do we get to that place of resting and waiting patiently?

Here are THREE CHOICES to help us use our time productively in the waiting-arena.

1. THANK God, knowing he is using delay to shape us as His instrument.

2. PRAISE God, knowing he is setting the stage to display His power.

3. HONOR God, knowing we can trust His promises.

Our world has spent the last year on pause, waiting for the virus to finish its deadly mission, waiting for restrictions to be lifted, waiting to reunite with distant family members.

Waiting during COVID-19 has spawned discouragement and loneliness.

The challenges of this strange interruption—this unplanned waiting—threatened to drain our joy and hope.

Here’s truth: waiting doesn’t mean inactivity.

Trusting is active. Praying is active.

Begin with this:

"Lord, I surrender this to you. It’s yours. Whatever you do is okay with me. I will praise you because of your righteousness, not my circumstances. Let me hear your voice behind me saying, this is the way, walk in it. My soul waits for you and in your word I will hope."

Use your season of waiting to rehearse promises that slip by unnoticed in the hectic pace of normal life.

• Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3).
• Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).
• And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

As you continue the journey, keep this in mind — God is working on the road ahead. Expect delays but proceed with expectation.

Now then, stand and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! (1 Samuel 12:16).

Who knows what may happen when we wait and trust?

David, the shepherd king, wrote:

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

Will you dare to believe you are not waiting on a person or a circumstance but on God?

Dianne Barker is a speaker, radio host, and author of 11 books, including the best-selling Twice Pardoned and award-winning I Don’t Chase the Garbage Truck Down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore! Organizing for the Maximum Life. She’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, and Word Weavers International and a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries. Visit www.diannebarker.com.

Graphic - East Rock Hill Township (Penn.) road sign.

We Make Our Plans, but ...

In this Trials UPGRADE, Dawn writes about the coronavirus and how Christians might want to respond with biblical thinking.

A week ago, my husband's ministry trip to Ecuador was canceled. My brother-in-law's ministry trip was canceled (as well as his and his wife's vacation).

So many ministry friends are rescheduling and hoping new dates will work after the rampant COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, turned into a pandemic.

Life with our new normal—at least for months to come—means holding on to our plans with a loose hand.

I'm reminded of the wise words in Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)—"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." I've always taken that as the Lord desires to create a plan for us to move forward.

God is sovereign and He "determines" our steps. But we still need to listen to His voice and obey when He speaks.

Back in January, knowing I would likely be recovered from a recent stem cell transplant by now, I made a lot of plans for March and April. The Lord had other plans for me.

We make our plans, but when they change, we need to be sensitive to what the Lord might be saying to us about how to deal with those changes!

In this current pandemic, the COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, the Lord is speaking to me about eight "be" concepts in the book of Ephesians—there are likely more—that can help me each day during the required shelter-in-place mandate.

Perhaps they will help you focus too.

"Be" ... in Ephesians

1. Be Still

Althought the word "be" isn't in Ephesians 1:17-21, it is a prayer Paul prayed for Christ-followers to help them become better acquainted with God (v. 17b).

In essence, Paul encouraged believers to do what the psalmist said in Psalm 46:10:

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Paul said he wanted believers to have wisdom from God, with the "eyes" of their hearts enlightened. And why? So they might "know the hope" to which He has called us. We have hope IN the Lord, and we can receive hope FROM the Lord.

Our hope is based in God's "power for us."

The risen Christ reigns, and it is His power that energizes us to face our struggles today—even a pandemic.

We need to be still and contemplate who God is, and the power we have in the mighty "exalted" One!

2. Be Wise

Ephesians 5:15-16 says we should "be very careful" how we live. We need to live with God's wise truths in mind. Why? "Because the days are evil."

We need to make wise choices in these days, and make the most of every opportunity we have to live for the Lord and proclaim who He is.

Verses 18-20 compare foolish living with wise living. Rather than indulging in things that will dull our senses, we need to be fully engaged by making the wise choice to "be filled" with the Spirit—another powerful "be" concept.

When we filled with the Spirit and making wise choices, we will speak and sing things that glorify our Father God, and we will be grateful.

3. Be Patient

Ephesians 4:2 reminds us to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient...."

Although I focused here on patience, don't miss the link to humility and gentleness!

• It takes humility to be patient in long lines at stores or airports.
• It takes humility and a patient, gentle spirit to be bear up with kids who are getting on our "last nerve" during pandemic.
• It takes patience when members of our family are going stir crazy—not knowing how to deal with sudden boredom, or reacting with anger born out of frustration.
• It takes patience when quarantined.

I'm sure you can think of other examples where patient humility and gentleness must be the rule of the day.

4. Be Compassionate

It's important to remember we are not alone in this coronavirus struggle.

This is not a time for "it's all about me."

Spiritual maturity will help us live out Ephesians 4:32a: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other...."

In times of crisis, we may feel like we're one minute away from a meltdown.

It's easy to become self-focused. It's easy to over-react when we feel slighted or hurt by others.

This is the time to forgive with Christ-like forgiveness—("...just as in Christ God forgave you" (4:32b).

This is the time to be kind and compassionate. This is the time to give people the benefit of the doubt and be understanding—and when necessary, to show mercy!

Others are going through tough times too, and they may not know how to cope.

5. Be Loving

We are to follow God's example as His beloved children (Ephesians 5:1). We need to be "rooted and established in (His) love"—the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:16-19).

Loving like Christ is not an option for the believer. It's part of our godly stewardship.

Joe Carter, editor of TGC Weekly (The Gospel Coalition) wrote, "While Christians rightly poiint out that God is sovereign over all things—including the economy—we whould also recognize that we have a role to play as stewards of God's creation. ... Ultimately, stewardship is all about love."

Years ago, it seemed everyone was asking, "What Would Jesus Do?" In the stewardship of love, we seek to see people and their needs through the eyes of the Lord.

And as much as possible, and as the Lord leads, we move in love to meet needs.

It may mean something like:

• buying a package of baby wipes for a mom with little ones,
• taking a meal to a shut-in (and lingering for a conversation if he or she seems lonely), or
• filling a tank with gasoline for a doctor or nurse who still reports for duty to help those with COVID-19.

What would Jesus Do?

6. Be Light

In times of crisis, this is often the opportune time to "be light" in the darkness.

In Ephesians 5:8-10, Paul reminded the Ephesian believers they were once in spiritual darkness, "but now," he said, "you are light in the Lord."

We need to recognize we are all lost and in spiritual darkness without the Lord and His mercy. We need to remember the grace of the Lord Jesus to us from the cross.

When we remember well, we will likely want to "live as children of light." We will to make a difference in people's lives around us, and we'll want our attitudes and actions to please Him. We'll want to "shine as lights in the world" and allow our good works to glorify the Father (Philippians 2:15; Matthew 5:16).

Paul made a special request of the Ephesian believers. He wanted them to pray he would be fearless in sharing the Gospel (6:19-20).

And that should be the prayer we pray for ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ as we shine together for the Lord.

7. Be Strong

In these stressful times, it is important that we "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" (Ephesians 6:10-12). Our own strength may wane as we struggle with all the changes we need to make in fighting this pandemic.

We're supposed to wear the "armor of God" every day, but it's important to be SURE we're wearing it now (Ephesians 6:13-17) so we can "be strong and courageous" (Deuteronomy 31:6).

And when the battle gets especially tough, we need to remember to run to our refuge in God—He is our "strong tower" of safely (Psalm 46:1-3; Proverbs 18:10). 

8. Be Alert

Ephesians 6:18 says, "be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

Although we need to be loving and compassionate to all people, this is a special admonition to be alert to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We may not have the needed resource to help them in practical ways, but we always have the resource of prayer to petition God for their needs.

As we live as children of light, we also need to be alert to our adversary's strategies to attack God's flock (1 Peter 5:8).

Believers can have tough physical needs during times of trial—but sometimes the attacks of Satan in their minds and hearts are just as tough and destructive.

Be alert to ways you can encourage individual members of the family of God who are struggling with Satan's lies.

Be aware of fresh action steps that can lead to your growth, others' good, and God's glory.

Which of these "Be" concepts are you practicing now? Is there another "Be" you might consider?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, at Revive Our Hearts, a blogger at TrueWoman.com, writes wiki-type posts at  Christianity.com, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, initial graphic courtesty of congerdesign at Pixabay.

Waiting for God's Beautiful Timing

Sally Ferguson, a retreat planner, teaches women how to get away from the craziness of life and wait on the Lord. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she reminds us of a precious principle for intimacy with God.

"I look out the window at my backyard," Sally says, "where reside two apple trees, one Granny Smith and one Red Delicious. My three year old granddaughter persistently reaches for the miniature fruit, hanging on the branches."

"'Not yet,' I tell her. 'The apples need time to grow and get sweeter. Their colors will change when they’re ready.'"

Growing up in the Midwest, I (Dawn) saw many such apple trees. I know exactly what Sally's talking about. It's a beautiful illustration for patience.

Sally continues . . .

I often expect life to be ready, for me, too.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God has made everything beautiful in its time, but I impulsively seize opportunities that aren’t ripe yet, and wonder why they taste bitter and feel tough.

Why is there such mystery around when things happen?

       Four ways to know when God’s timing is ripe.

1. Do you have a skillset needed for the job?

People have a way of volunteering us for their projects.

While we’re being taught to learn to say “no” for our own sanity, there are times we do need to say “yes,” for theirs.

In John chapter 2, Mary asked Jesus to take care of the punch at a family wedding. Jesus said, “It’s not my monkey, not my circus.” (Not His actual wording!)

But He helped anyway. Verse 7 says He knew what to do, and He helped save the family from great embarrassment in front of their community.

There are times when I know what to do, and need to get involved, even if I think it’s lousy timing.

2. Does it require an act of faith?

Occasionally, I get the most bizarre ideas, yet cannot escape their unrelenting nudge.

Is it me, or is it God’s idea?

The best thing I can do is ask the Lord to make it absolutely clear with my next step.

In Matthew chapter 14, the wind was whipping around Peter’s feet. He had stepped out of the boat to walk with Jesus, but the splashing waves redirected his attention.

When fear crept up, he cried out for help.

Jesus asked Peter to trust Him, but He didn’t change the circumstances first.

Verse 32 says the wind died down when they climbed into the boat. Not before. Not after. But at the right time. Obedience has its reward.

3. Will God get the glory for something bigger than what you could have done?

Matthew 14:33 says the people in the boat worshipped Jesus when they saw what happened.

My impatience demands action. But, when God moves, the “wow factor” usually stops me in my tracks.

It’s at that point I know the result is much more than I dreamt and requires a level of trust previously unknown.

Who am I, to rush God?

Isaiah 5:19 proclaims an indictment on me for telling God to hurry up! He promises He will swiftly take care of things when the time is right (Isaiah 60:22); and He will do it for His own glory (Isaiah 48:11).

4. Do you have peace about the outcome?

Even though we can’t see the future and the outcomes of our choices, we can trust the One who does.

My NIV footnotes say about Psalm 27:3, “Confidence gives us patience to wait for God’s timing and not demand immediate response to our petitions.”

Oh, to have that confidence and complete trust in the Lord!

Why does God appear to be silent when we ask Him to answer our prayers? My friend, Mary Corey said, “It’s to keep us close to Him, when He seems to be taking too long.”

Let the waiting draw you closer to the Lord.

When God is moving, nothing can stop the momentum of His work in our lives. It’s exhilarating to be in that tsunami of change.

However, we have to wait for that to happen. Ephesians 1:9-10 says He is waiting for history to reach its full potential.

Here’s a secret: Mark 1:15 declares the time to be ripe, now, for us to submit to the Lordship of Christ. Let’s act on what we know to do, and wait for God to do His thing.

When we surrender our agendas to Him, He’s never too late.

Are you ready to pause? Use your skillset, faith, trust and confidence in God to guide your resting and waiting for Him to move on your behalf. The fruit will all be worth the wait.

How are you growing while you wait for God’s timing?

Sally Ferguson loves planning women’s retreats. Her coloring book, What Will I Be When I Grow Up? (Warner Press) and ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat are both available on Amazon.  Visit her latest retreat release here.  

Graphic adapted, courtesy of mploscar at Pixabay.