A season of waiting is one of the hardest seasons of life. God will tell us “Be still” and then we have to wait for the next assignment. For 3 meanings of be still, go to my post found HERE. Here are 5 reasons it is hard to wait on God.
5 reasons it is hard to wait on God…
1. Waiting takes patience…
We would rather walk in the wrong direction than wait for God. In this lightning fast world we live in of constant stimulation, of having the world at our fingertips and carrying around the latest news in our hands, it is difficult to wait. In most situations when we have questions, we can grab our phones and google any answer we need in a heartbeat but that is not how God works.
Psalm 40:1 (NIV)
I waited patiently for the Lord…
2. Waiting might be a place of exhaustion…
Being in a season of waiting might be a call to stand on prime real estate, a place of rest when you are battle weary. The thought of leaving this rest while still exhausted is difficult. Waiting during this time can leave you feeling incompetent and fearful. Trust in Him and do not be afraid. He has brought you safely thus far and He won’t send you out until you are ready.
Ephesians 6:13(NIV)
13 Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
In this season of waiting, Ephesians 6:13 took on new meaning to me. I’ve always thought of this verse as standing your ground during battle, to take a stand. However, now as I’m in a season of waiting, I understand this in a different light.
In the Greek, the word for “stand” is histemi. It translates to “continue safe and sound, stand unharmed, to stand ready or prepared”.
To me the word histemi sounds like God means our stand of faith while preparing for battle. Ephesians 6 is the chapter about Spiritual warfare and the armor of God. This verse follows the explanation of our struggles with the powers of darkness and precedes the verse explaining our Spiritual armor.
Have you been in a Spiritual battle and now God has you in a time of rest and waiting?
You are in good company. In 1 Kings 19:1-18, Elijah, one of God’s mighty prophets, needed a season of rest after battling the false prophet of Baal and Asherah. He told God, “I have had enough!” God sent him to rest and wait for his next call. He then sent angels to feed and care for him. Rest and wait and let God take care of you.
3. Waiting might be a struggle to not lose heart…
“It requires more courage to stand and wait and not lose heart or lose hope, to submit to the will of God, to give up opportunities for service and leave honors to others and to be quiet, confident, and rejoicing while the busy multitude goes happily along their way”.
This quote is taken from a devotional I love called, “Streams in the Desert” by L.B. Cowman and edited by Jim Reimann. You can find it HERE.
Cowman and Reimann also reference how we enjoy when God builds a hedge of protection around His people. Until the hedge is so high and dense we cannot see around or through it. It is then we become discouraged, lose hope and lack faith.
God is faithful. He knows when we’ve had enough. He will lead us into these times to rest and recuperation. Stay in His word, serve, and continue in community with other Christians. Don’t fall away or lose hope. Rejoice with others in their busy-ness and wait.
4. Waiting requires faith…
It means standing on something no one else can see or hear or feel. Isn’t that the definition of faith from Hebrews 11:1?
Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
Even when it doesn’t make sense, wait and trust in the One who died for you. He has a better plan. Even if the next opportunity may seem like something good for the Kingdom, don’t jump in too quick and miss the greater blessing. The good is always at war with what is best; wait for His Best.
5. Waiting can be frustrating…
Acts 27:25 (NLT)
So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.
Do your prayers seem to just hit the ceiling? Do you think God isn’t listening? I understand. I’m right there with ya’. It takes more effort to continue to be faithful in prayer day after day and get on my knees when my prayers seem to go unanswered.
On the other hand, I can’t wait to get into my prayer time with Him when I see Him moving mountains for me daily. I am the “ye” in the verse, “Oh, ye of little faith”. Scriptures are clear that we are to be pray and not give up.
Even though, we have 5 reasons it is hard to wait on God, we have many more reasons for encouragement in God’s word.
Here is one passage that encourages me.
Psalm 138:1-3 (NCV)
A psalm of David.
Lord, I will thank you with all my heart;
I will sing to you before the gods.
2 I will bow down facing your holy Temple,
and I will thank you for your love and loyalty.
You have made your name and your word
greater than anything.
3 On the day I called to you, you answered me.
You made me strong and brave.
God is faithful so we are to be thankful.
He WILL answer AFTER we learn to be thankful for the place He has us at this present time.
Go back and read Psalm 138:1-3. Do you see all of the thankfulness that went on in Psalm 138:1-2 before God answered in verse 3 and made King David strong and brave.
While we wait, let’s practice intentional thanksgiving. In everything give thanks. Does that mean, to thank Him for the hard things in life. Unfortunately, yes! We are to learn from the storms as well as the sunshine.
Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)
20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What are you thankful for in this season of waiting?
I am thankful for you, my friend. Thank you for continuing on this journey with me.
Love ya,
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New International Version (NIV)
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New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New Century Version (NCV)
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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I appreciate your faithfulness and love of God and people to care and share.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your encouragement! Love, Shawna