Still waiting...?
Does it make you wonder whether you prayed the right thing? Or whether your prayer was vain? Or in vain for that matter?
Are you tempted to place a rush order on your request by fulfilling it yourself (but low key giving God credit for something you know you really accomplished)?
Don't trip, all of these are classic signs of weariness when waiting on God:
Doubting He heard our prayer
Wondering if some secret sin is blocking it
Wondering if He is good enough to provide it
Getting upset seeing other people get 'what they want'
Stepping out of His timing and will to get it for ourselves
Living in a society that's conditioned us to a drive-thru mentality, why shouldn't we rush God!?
When microwave dinners replace the greens that soak in the sink and the meat that is thawed and seasoned a day before it is cooked; why shouldn't we expect Gods answer to be revealed by the time the microwave alarm has sounded? When text message responses have a turn around of a matter of seconds, why can't God respond to our prayers in a similar fashion?
Isaiah 40:31 holds the answer to this frustrating truth
"But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind."
We wait for things that we trust in. We wait for good food at expensive or popular restaurants. We wait for the doctor to come in the room, often sitting half dressed on a table for what seems like forever...to hear his report. We wait for those things we place confidence in. People will wait outside of a venue for the start of an event. We will wait for tickets to concerts and movies to be released. We may even wait for the release of goods such as tennis shoes.
Waiting is an unwrapped gift. It conceals the true thing that is preparing to be revealed...
...a renewal of strength!!
Remember those accusations we threw in Gods face? Those are our weary ways rearing their heads. God desires to give us a fresh breath of strength so we don't have to resort to those weary thoughts
and behaviors when we face future trials. God is worth waiting for because He can be trusted. The gifts and goods (His grace, peace, mercy, wisdom) are found in Him and He longs to reveal those things to and in us. Imagine yourself waiting outside of His dwelling place like those who wait outside of businesses for the release of the new Jordan's.
Imagine sitting at the dining table of His restaurant for what He's cooking up for you. Take in the aroma as you wait for the soul-full goodness of what He desires to serve you:
The strength in your heart to endure death of loved ones,
To face rejection on your job,
To take on numerous shut doors as you start your own business.
Strength of spirit to say no to temptation;
To resist the very thing you've been enslaved to for years;
To hate indulging in things you once loved.
Isn't that worth the wait? Do you long for His strength? Aren't you tired of doubting, envying and prematurely making decisions from your own strength?
Whatever it is you're waiting on:
God to bless you and your spouse with the children you long for.
A mate to find you (women);
... or to find a woman who resembles what you've prayed for (men).
For a breakthrough in your finances to give, save and spend in a way that pleases God.
For your business to be successful.
For your lost loved ones to trust Christ as Savior.
For healing to take place in your body or that of someone you've prayed for.
To be vindicated in a situation where you've been walking in integrity yet under attack for it.
Wait...God is hiding with purpose...He is preparing to unleash His new line of strength that you will benefit greatly from. He knows He is worth the wait, do you? You will find yourself able to face things you once felt burdened by, with peace. You will find yourself able to say no to thing you once only said yes to. You will find yourself able to last a lot longer in the face of issues you once used to give up on. That's renewed strength! It's hidden in your waiting season!
