Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. -- Psalm 27:14
I'm sitting on a plane in El Paso, TX. My city of departure, Phoenix. My intended city of arrival, Dallas. But here I am nonetheless. Something to do with needing a mechanic at 9pm on a Friday night and having to wait 30-45 minutes for him to get here. Did I mention that my flight was already 60 minutes late leaving The Valley of the Sun?
I suppose that I might be a little less anxious, but I'm supposed to be seeing my man this weekend. Carrying on a long distance relationship hasn't been the easiest thing in the world and circumstances like this tempt me to want to pull out my hair. On second thought that might not be the best idea considering who I'll be visiting.
You see, I've waited a VERY long time to be in a relationship such as this and now I'm being asked to wait just a little bit longer.
About ten years ago I bought a book about God's timing compared to mine, especially in reference to finding Mr. Right. In these ten years God had definitely taught me some seriously tough lessons, but vital all the same.
Lesson #1: Develop a gut belief that God is God and that He is enough. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a God-centered home; however that didn't make me immune to having my own idols. Removing those strongholds has been the most difficult and freeing process. Through study of His Word and prayer I am thoroughly convinced that He is who He says He is.
Lesson #2: Be content in all things. You may be wondering how you can be content and still desiring at the same time and I did too. I was able to rectify this dichotomy by giving myself permission to find a quiet place and simply be. Oftentimes it's tempting to fill all the empty spaces of life because that's easier than dealing with the emptiness that we feel in our hearts. But my friend, this is where our God longs to reside. Reserving time alone with no music, no books, no interruptions helps me quiet my soul enough to be content in His fulfilling love.
Lesson #3: Rejoice in all things. I still honestly struggle with this at times, but I also know that if I don't practice rejoicing even in the most difficult of situations that I'm not experiencing the abundance that God has in store for me at that very moment. God's overflowing abundance is not a destination to long for, but is something to be consumed every moment we draw breath. So even if it's for the simplest of things, show your gratitude.
I'm curious to know what lessons you've learned during your times of waiting. Go ahead a drop me a line so we can be encouraged as we learn from one another.
I suppose that I might be a little less anxious, but I'm supposed to be seeing my man this weekend. Carrying on a long distance relationship hasn't been the easiest thing in the world and circumstances like this tempt me to want to pull out my hair. On second thought that might not be the best idea considering who I'll be visiting.
You see, I've waited a VERY long time to be in a relationship such as this and now I'm being asked to wait just a little bit longer.
About ten years ago I bought a book about God's timing compared to mine, especially in reference to finding Mr. Right. In these ten years God had definitely taught me some seriously tough lessons, but vital all the same.
Lesson #1: Develop a gut belief that God is God and that He is enough. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a God-centered home; however that didn't make me immune to having my own idols. Removing those strongholds has been the most difficult and freeing process. Through study of His Word and prayer I am thoroughly convinced that He is who He says He is.
Lesson #2: Be content in all things. You may be wondering how you can be content and still desiring at the same time and I did too. I was able to rectify this dichotomy by giving myself permission to find a quiet place and simply be. Oftentimes it's tempting to fill all the empty spaces of life because that's easier than dealing with the emptiness that we feel in our hearts. But my friend, this is where our God longs to reside. Reserving time alone with no music, no books, no interruptions helps me quiet my soul enough to be content in His fulfilling love.
Lesson #3: Rejoice in all things. I still honestly struggle with this at times, but I also know that if I don't practice rejoicing even in the most difficult of situations that I'm not experiencing the abundance that God has in store for me at that very moment. God's overflowing abundance is not a destination to long for, but is something to be consumed every moment we draw breath. So even if it's for the simplest of things, show your gratitude.
I'm curious to know what lessons you've learned during your times of waiting. Go ahead a drop me a line so we can be encouraged as we learn from one another.
Dear Heavenly Father, You call us Your daughters and so we long to believe that the promises You have spoken to our hearts will some day be realized. Fill us with the confidence and strength that can only come from You as we remain content and grateful in our times of waiting.
Bethany this is a wonderful message. Thank you for allowing me to think peacefully.
ReplyDeleteBethany, I've been thinking about this since I read it, and have composed many responses in my head... Yet this is the first time I am committing to writing them:
ReplyDelete-Psalm 142 -- I'm picturing David pouring it all out to the Lord and knowing the Paraclete will comfort him.
We are made to love and need one another.
Eph 1:4 -- We are one body.
Because we are made this way, we need relationships and community. More importantly, we need Him, and He will fill our needs. He's our "water" so we need to "drink" His salvation. --Psalm 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
We feel empty and loneliness when we are estranged from His will. Hence, we need to fill that gap with Him, and we'll feel complete.
1 John 1:3ish.
I want to thank you for your post.
Your sistah in Him,
Tracy
Hi B, I am still reflecting on your post. Here are my thoughts:
ReplyDeleteFocus on God. Trust Him. Trust His timing.
Wait for His will & timing, not my own -- Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Amazing prayers answered in His timing:
Ezra 3: Sometimes we have to wait for God's answer.
Dang, Abraham had to wait 'til 100 y.o. to have a kid! Gen 21:5-7
Lazarus was dead. They thought God didn't hear their prayers. Christ answered even after he was dead. John 11
We need to turn to Him in Prayer. When we pray, He will answer it in His timing, the right timing, the best timing.
Romas 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
James 5:7-8 Be patient...until the Lord’s coming...farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the ...rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Thanks again for your post. I thought I'd finally be a bit transparent and share my thoughts, which is evidence for how much your posts mean to me.
Your sistah in Him,
Tracy