Learning to Wait
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”1
Waiting is a lot easier said than done. We have all heard it, all experienced it, but if it were not important, would the Word of God consistently tell us to do so? I once heard a preacher say, “Never pray for patience; you won’t like how God teaches you!”, and boy is this true. God is more concerned with our growth process than with us feeling comfortable. If we are lacking patience, he will undoubtedly provide hands-on opportunities to practice!
As children, we eagerly count down the days for special events to arrive, as teenagers we can’t wait to graduate and be on our own, and as adults we impatiently wait for those work promotions, meeting our “soul mate”, and doing the next BIG thing! We often miss the little things in the moment because we cannot wait to move on. However, it’s even harder to wait when fear creeps in. Fear of a medical diagnosis, fear of financial difficulties, fear of failure. It is in difficult times, however, where the greatest lessons can be learned while we wait.
The psalmist in today’s chapter goes back and forth between recognizing God’s greatness and mercy and crying out to God to hear him. Regardless of all the emotions he is feeling, he writes, “my whole being waits”. Perhaps you have been in a similar situation where the circumstances around you seem dark, and all you long for is a sign from God, the smallest light, to renew your hope. When we don’t see that flicker of light, the darkness can seem overwhelming! But like the psalmist, we must learn to fix our eyes on God, the source of our hope. If we can whole-heartedly trust that He is in control of even the direst of situations, we will experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, and the close relationship our Father longs to have with us. Regardless of the outcome, God is with us and will help us handle any and all situations.
Suggested prayer: Lord, waiting may be difficult, but I ask that you would open my heart and make me teachable. When I face fearful things, help my trust and faith in You be bigger than my emotions. I choose to serve and love You while I wait. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
1. Psalm 130:5 (NIV).
Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.