Faithful in the Waiting
“Patience is a virtue.” Easier said than done, right? Patience, though it’s one of the Fruits of the Spirit and something we’re called to pursue, is not necessarily easy to grab and hold onto.
We live in an instant-gratification culture. With most things available to us at the click of a button, it’s challenging for us to sit and wait on the things we deeply desire. Yet, good things (and “God-things”) come to those who wait.
Seasons of Waiting
If we took a poll of 10 people and asked each of them if they were waiting for something to change and shift in their lives, the probability that all of them would say “yes” is quite high. The waiting seasons, the seasons of contending for breakthrough, or praying for change come more often than not. The waiting is normal, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy.
The “waiting game” can be the hardest game to play. It can bring us feelings of doubt and fear and even make us question whether or not we heard from the Lord correctly. We might ask the question, “Does God really see me here? Has He forgotten about me? Am I doing something wrong?”
The truth is that waiting does not equal punishment. The waiting season doesn’t mean that God is trying to “teach us a lesson” even though we can learn many things in those seasons. Though it can be tempting to become introspective, searching our hearts thoroughly for anything that might be “wrong,” there’s an invitation to know God more intimately and to let Him know you even deeper in those seasons.
Staying Faithful in the Pause
So, what do we do in those seasons of waiting? How can we pursue the Lord, pursue growth, and steward our hearts while we’re contending for a change? Here are 3 things you can do to steward your seasons of waiting well.
1-Be honest with God.
We must not hide our true thoughts and feelings from the Father. You’re probably thinking, “Doesn’t He already know? Why do I have to tell Him?” Yes, it’s true. He does know exactly what we’re feeling and thinking, it actually opens the door to breakthrough when we’re honest with God. We don’t have to protect Him from our feelings. He can take it!
Sharing vulnerably with the Lord about how we’re feeling allows us to be truly seen and known by Him. In this place, He comes in, covers us in His love, and speaks truth and clarity in areas where fear or shame have lived.
2-Celebrate and serve.
Celebration, honor, and service shift our perspective off of ourselves and onto the bigger picture. If we desire to see breakthrough in a specific area, we can honor and celebrate someone else who has had the same breakthrough we’re going after. If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of self-pity, serve someone else. This world, what God is doing, is so much bigger than us. Shift your gaze from self to others, step outside of your comfort zone, and serve.
3-Practice remembrance.
Think back on your life. Remember the moments when God came through before. Meditate on the testimonies you’ve lived through before: how has He provided? How has He protected you? How has He healed you and set you free? Revelation 19:10 says that the “testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy,” meaning that what God did once, He can and will do again. Remember the testimonies and stir your faith by bringing them to memory.
There is beauty, growth, and freedom to be found in the waiting. It’s time to take a look up and out. His plans and ways are so much better than any and everything we could plan for ourselves. He is worthy to be trusted and what He has is worth the wait.