Waiting
In Psalm 40:1 we find these words, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” NIV
It’s difficult to wait. It’s especially difficult to wait patiently.
But for those who do, the Lord will turn to them and answer (read vv.2-4).
No one likes to wait. It’s not comfortable. It’s not exciting. Waiting can be burdensome; stripping away our joy. Considering all the challenges that comes with waiting, one might wonder, “Is God in this?” or “Can God use it?” The answer, according to Romans 8:28, is YES!!!
God used “waiting” in Joseph’s Life. He used it in the life of Jeremiah. The Lord used “waiting” to get Moses ready to lead. God will use “waiting” in your life too; that you can be sure. But the question is “how”?
God uses waiting to strengthen many parts of our spiritual lives, but there are three areas that God seems to be particularly interests in: patience, wisdom, and thankfulness.
Patience is produced in us when we submit to God’s calendar. Submission, hope, discipline, and trust are all powerful elements of patience. God’s timing is perfect.
Wisdom is produced by many things. Experience, reading, and observing are factors which contribute to us gaining wisdom. Waiting produces wisdom in that waiting helps us to respond rather than react. Reacting takes little thought, it is more emotion. Wisdom has been here before. Wisdom knows there is more to the story. Wisdom knows the cost of acting prematurely. Wisdom waits.
Thankfulness is also impacting by waiting. Being thankful is an important quality to have. First, being a thankful person makes us happy. Second, being thankful makes us a pleasure to be around. Third, being thankful adds incredible joy to our worship of God. If you approach waiting with wisdom, you will eventually get tired of thinking about the things you are waiting on and will instead focus on the things in your life that are right and good. Hopefully, working your way through the struggle to actually be thankful for the waiting because you know that God is up to something.
What are you waiting on? How is God using this season of waiting to bring maturity to your spiritual walk? Take some time and reflect, God may be up to something.