One of the hardest things to go through is a period of stagnancy. You may feel lost, wondering why you are in a place in life where you thought you would not be. Maybe by this time, you had expected to be at a certain level in your career. Or maybe that you would obtain a certain amount of money instead of being in debt. Perhaps, you had prayed to be in a relationship or marriage. It can be discouraging to not know where you are going and what you are supposed to do. While you wonder what to do during a waiting season, it can actually be the most transforming time of your life.
When God Makes You Wait
You will be glad to know that there is so much hope for you though during a season of waiting. There are men and women throughout the Bible and history that have gone through this season. Some had to wait and fervently prayed for children like Sara, Rachel, and Hannah. Some had to wait for God to keep His promises like Abraham and the nation of Israel. Let’s look at a few examples.
The Story Of Joseph
Read: Genesis 37: 5-10, Genesis 39, Genesis 41: 1-57
The story of Joseph starts with Genesis 37. He is the beloved son of his father Jacob with twelve brothers. You will see that he had a dream, a dream that angered his family. The meaning of his dreams showed that his family would bow to him one day. It infuriated his brothers to a point that they tried to kill him and eventually sold him off as a slave.
Imagine being Joseph, who saw that he was to be in a position of power. Instead, he became a lowly slave sold off to a foreign land. Then, things got better for Joseph when he was promoted to be in charge of Potiphar’s household. However, it did not last because he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and was sent to prison.
What would have gone through Joseph’s mind? We get discouraged when we don’t get our way. And when things get worse for us, it defeats us. But what happened to Joseph when he was sent to prison? His season of waiting for the Lord took many turns and twists. No matter how long it took, no matter how treacherous the road was, Joseph eventually ended up where he was meant to be. He became the second-highest in command in Egypt and his vision that God showed him indeed came to fruition.
The Story Of King David
Read: 1 Samuel 16
If you know the story of King David, you will know that he has gone through a lot. After the prophet Samuel anointed him to be the next king to replace Saul, he did not become a king right away. David went through many years of running for his life. He experienced hardships, betrayals, and heartaches.
However, you will know that he did eventually become king. Many chapters of the Psalms were written during this time of waiting. He knew that God will bring what He says into fruition that he will be king one day. But God allowed David to experience adversity and trials beforehand. He had to run away from Saul and he had to engage in many battles. He had to experience his family being taken away from him and he had to fight to get them back.
During all these times, David leaned further into God. He praised Him during the bad times, during times of war, and great sorrow.
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry." - Psalms 40: 1
What To Do During A Waiting Season
What we can learn from men like Joseph and King David was that God does allow us to go through a waiting season. Sometimes, this season can feel overwhelming because things don’t seem to get better. You can’t see what is waiting for you on the other side. You may feel that God may have forgotten you or isn’t hearing your prayers.
But that isn’t the case. You are in a season that you are in while God is working and He is hearing your prayers. So what do you do during a waiting season?
Learn To Hear God’s Voice
Read: 1 Kings 19: 11-13
We can get in a rut when not much is happening. Whether that is in our spiritual life or other aspects like our diet and fitness. We may feel sluggish, casting aside our friendships and relationships. But this is the most critical time to learn to hear God’s voice.
When Elijah was running for this life from King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, the Lord told him to stand on the mountain. First, there was “a great and powerful wind” but the Lord was not in it. Then there was an earthquake but the Lord was not in it. After it was a fire but the Lord was not in it either. Finally, there “came a gentle whisper”. That is when the Lord spoke to Elijah.
Sometimes we think God is only working when we see sparks and fireworks. We think God is only with us and answering our prayers when we get what we want. But God seeks to be close to us and to be able to hear His voice. A whisper can only be heard in closeness.
Remember What He Is Able To Do
Read: John 15:2, Isaiah 43:19
This is something that we have to remind ourselves often. We can agree that God does a better job at being God than we are right? We have to allow God to do His work in us while we are waiting. God prunes us to be fruitful. We have to allow Him to cut off the branches that don’t bear any fruit.
We also have to be able to see that God works beyond what we think we know. One of the most powerful verses that lifted my spirit during my season of waiting is found in Isaiah 43:19 (NIV). It says,
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. - Isaiah 43:19
How beautiful is that? He makes a way in the wilderness. We may not know where we are going and how we will get there but he makes a way. Wilderness means there is not a path to take. But God makes a way. We may not know why we are in a place that seems like a wasteland but God can bring about a stream. Wastelands are barren and inhabitable. But can bring about not a drop of water to give life but a whole stream. You may feel like you are in a dry desert but let’s remember who our God is.
Be Encouraged
Read: Isaiah 55:8-9, Ephesians 3:20, Romans 8:28
In Isaiah, God tells us that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. This should be extremely encouraging. Our thoughts are limiting to what we know and what we can see. It can even lead us to expect the worst of situations. Our ways are flawed, confined to our own experiences.
But the good news is that our God is not limited to what we know. He is not confined to what we think. In fact, He is able to do “immeasurably more” than “all we ask or imagine“. We cannot possibly imagine all that He has in store for us. Even if we are waiting for His promises, how He brings about His promise is something that He decides.
We can have confidence during this season of waiting knowing that no matter what, He promises that all things will work together for our good. So while you are wondering how long it will take for God to answer what you have prayed, He has been answering all along.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, forgive me that at times, I forget who You are. I get caught up in this season of waiting, trying to rush you to do what I want. I get impatient, frustrated, and lacking in faith. Help to hear Your Voice. Remind who You are when I forget and who I am in You. You promise us that you will never leave us or forsake us. Continue to prune me and do Your work in me. I thank you for this season, help me to live faithfully. In Your Son’s name, I pray. Amen.
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