I consider myself a pretty patient person.
I can handle many children at one time and the person with the bad attitude, that most try to avoid. I can even stay calm while waiting in a long line at the grocery store.
Yet, my biggest pet peeve is waiting for a person to arrive. After the first ten minutes of waiting, it takes everything in my soul to not leave. Being stood up or waiting for more than a few minutes...really burns my biscuits!
Over the last few years, I have realized that this same irritation I experience when people are not where I expect them to be was something I carried into my relationship with God. I've found myself wondering where is God?
Did He forget about me?
Why wasn't that prayer answered?
Is He going to show up to fix "this"?
Where are you Lorddddddd!
I have a feeling I am not alone. In fact, David wrote these words in the Psalms.
For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord my God. Psalm 38:15
Over and over, we see those in the Bible praying and wondering where God was in the midst of affliction. I can imagine that Noah asked this question as many doubted why he was building an ark. Hannah may have faced this situation as she believed in a son. Moses faced this battle when trapped in the wilderness with the complaining Israelites, awaiting the promised land. When my daughter began having seizures years ago, I was in the same situation and wondered when God would hear and answer my prayer.
Today, as you are reading, you may have a situation that you've been waiting a long time to be resolved. I want to encourage you with something the Lord showed me recently during a time of prayer and worship.
There's a victory in the wait!
Here's what I have seen, God's timing is always best. In moments of frustration, we may not understand why there is a wait. We want God to move and move quickly. However, we must remember that our thoughts are not His thoughts. He doesn't operate in our time. He knows all, has ALL power, and can change things in an instant. Yet, I have seen time and time again that the wait was exactly what was needed at the time. I believe it's in the wait that we learn patience, endurance, and get to act on our faith. The wait has shown me my real heart and secret motivations. The wait has taught me character and compassion for others. The wait has taught me that God doesn't forget His people. This is why the word of God says...
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
The truth is, it's easy to have faith when it's easy to have faith!
When our bank accounts look good, when our family is healthy when things are going great, faith is easy! In my opinion, little faith is required when all is well. True faith matters when things are hard, when we can't control the outcome, and when we need to trust God.
My friends, let us journey in faith even during the waiting seasons. As we wait for God to deliver on His promises, let us remember that He is not like man. He cannot lie and will act on His word.
Keep the faith, there's a victory in the wait!
Victory Verse
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
This word of the Lord about victory in the wait encouraged me so much that I wrote a song about it. Enjoy my latest single, available on Itunes, Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more!
Check out the lyric video by clicking HERE! For more on living a life of everyday victory, I invite you to purchase the Victory Walk: A 21 Day Devotional on Amazon today by clicking here.