We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Today is about reflection. At the end of this first week in our word study, I want you to spend some time reflecting on what the Lord has shown you. I will share my reflection about what I am learning, plus five ways to wait well.
This week, my sister-in-law had invited me to a women’s night at her church. Women’s events can be uncomfortable, am I right? You walk into a room of faces you have never seen before, sit down at a round table, and you’re forced–I mean gently welcomed–to get out of your comfort zone. Thankfully, everyone at our table was warm and friendly (not awkward after all) and shared the love of God.
The evening started with praise and worship, songs most everyone probably knew. But the main event was a panel of women who would share their stories of God’s faithfulness. They talked about a time in their lives when a significant trial had impacted them and how God remained faithful through the storm.
Many of the women in the room had walked alongside the ladies who shared their stories. I was blessed to hear them as a new comer and to see how others had been witnesses of their testimonies. They were present as God unfolded his plan and they were witnesses to the outcomes.
One of the speakers spoke about how she and her husband had struggled through infertility and miscarriage and the surprise babies in between. This included an amazing adoption story that undeniably pointed to God’s handiwork. She spoke about what she learned in that season of waiting.
Here are my take-aways from what she shared:
Do not isolate
In a season of waiting, it is not good for us to hole up in a cave somewhere and wait for the storm to blow over. Our tendency might be to pull away and think we are alone in our suffering. This is what the enemy, the devil, wants you to believe. But there are people in your life who really want to come alongside you in the waiting.
When we allow ourselves to be open, others are given the opportunity to use their gifts to minister to us. So even while we are blessed by their prayers, their help, and friendship, they are also blessed by the chance to use their gifts. When we invite others into our waiting, we enter in to the miracle together when it comes.
God is faithful
Something I learned in our word study this week, and from my waiting seasons, is how God delights in showing his faithfulness. During our seasons of waiting, whether it is related to our health, our careers, a new home, a prodigal child, or the salvation of a loved one, God allows the waiting to be a time of preparation.
God is always working toward our restoration and those people in our lives. Romans 8:28 tells us that he works for our good, to those who love Him and are called by his purposes. He is faithful to complete the work and he is in charge of the outcome. So while we wait, it might look like not much is happening, but God is still working. He works in countless, unseen ways to orchestrate His purposes in our lives. Our job is not to worry about the outcome, leave that to Him. Our job is to steward the waiting well.
Here are five ways to wait well
1. Stay in God’s Word – In your waiting, you will have many questions for God. Do not neglect to see what He has to say about your situation. Find God’s promises and hide them away in your heart, just as we are doing in this word study. Record the promises he gives you in a journal or small notebook.
2. Prayer – Stay in constant communication with your heavenly Father through the waiting. Bring him your heart along with all your worries and “whys” in the waiting. He longs to hear from you, his child. Like wise, listen. Be open to hearing from God in new ways as you wait. Listen for his voice through scripture, in a song, or something a friend says. Write down what you hear.
3. Rest – This one is essential and will reap good fruit. When you are intentional about rest during the wait, you give yourself a gift. Choose to trust God and be present in your waiting. Let this be a time of listening. Pay attention to what God wants to show you through this season. Then when you have come out of it, you will be able to comfort others in the same way you have been comforted.
4. Community – Invite others into your waiting. Don’t stay hidden or isolated. There are people who want to offer the gift of their presence. They may have experience to share, reminding you that you are not alone. Open your heart and be willing to trust a few people who can come along with you on the journey. This blesses you and your community as together you witness God’s faithfulness.
5. Worship – Remember how God has been faithful in the past. Think about a time when God brought you through the storm of a trial. Name the ways He met you in your time of need. Thank Him for what He will do, even though you may not see it yet, and praise Him for what He has done. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful! (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Reflection
Spend some time today reflecting on what you have learned through the word study this week on theme of waiting. Write down your thoughts in a journal.
What have you learned about God’s faithfulness in the waiting?
Have you found another scripture that blessed you? What is it?
Share with some one else who needs encouragement. Then please share in the comments below!
Follow this series
You are reading part of the 31 day series from Weary to Worship. To see other days click on Write 31 Days 2017 from the top menu. Before you go…I have carefully curated a special guide to accompany you in this series.
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