Waiting

Waiting can be one of the most frustrating things I do. Recently, when Thomas was in the hospital and I was waiting on the doctor to answer his page, I was so frustrated. Six hours and no response. Looking back now, I have been so encouraged and comforted to see that God has grown me in the area of patience and self-control.

Thomas was getting worse. That was my baby. My Type 1 diabetic who I have given extra care to for years. The red streak of staph infection moving toward his eye was alarming. I will be honest, I was tempted to lose it…to cuss everyone out!

Yes, I said cuss. There was that voice which said, rather loudly, ”You have a right to be mad. You have to scream and get angry to get their attention. Take this into your own hands.” Then…there was this voice that said…”Come to me!” It was soft but VERY RECOGNIZABLE!!

I have become much better at knowing and recognizing the “Shepherd’s voice,” as being different from the enemy’s voice. This has been cultivated for years now, especially over the last six years. To better recognize God’s voice, I have had to spend an abundant amount of time with Him, early in the morning. I have learned to interact with God throughout my day…shooting what I call “arrow prayers” to Him…and waiting for His answer.

He has been faithful as I have chosen to engage Him all the time, literally all day long. To pray continually and allow my spirit to be in communion with the Holy Spirit that lives inside of me…thus, the more time I have spent engaging the Lord…the easier it has become to “recognize and heed His voice.”

He speaks clearly, without fanfare (calmly and usually in very few words), softly and HE does not badger.

The enemy is always like a bully–badgering, accusing, and promoting self (me). Satan always prompts me to take matters into my owns hands. Thankfully, when Thomas was in the hospital in February and I was in tremendously adverse circumstances, ”Momma Bear” kind of stuff, I recognized the gentle voice of God saying, “Come to me,” above the badgering, nagging voice of the enemy.

I simply bowed my head and said, “Lord, I need wisdom!” He simply spoke and said, “Ask Mark Salley!” You see, Mark is a doctor/friend/neighbor who has been a source of medical wisdom countless times. So I texted Mark! Looking back, that simple prayer and text to Mark not only was the answer, but it was God’s best yes for Thomas, for our family and for his complete healing! It also kept me from “sin”–losing my witness and taking things into my own hands–deferring to God for the solution. The best YES!

Follow me here….waiting on God is essential to seeing how He will move on my behalf and yours.

Many times, He will answer immediately. Other times, He calls us to wait until He has all the pieces in place to accomplish what He wants to do. You or I could be dealing with a problem that has lingered for weeks, months or years.

You may wonder if God really knows what you are facing or if He cares.

WAITING is not passive.

IT is an active step of FAITH. A person chooses to wait on God because he or she wants the best.

While waiting…I encourage you to pray.

Seek God. Read His word and if the answers don’t come, learn to wait. Remember, waiting is an action of TRUST, FAITH and OBEDIENCE.

A right focus and right thinking always yield the right results. WE also must be willing to abide by God’s solution—regardless of what that solution entails.

I love studying 2 Chronicles 20 which tells the story of King Jehoshaphat, his obedience and seeking the Lord in extremely adverse circumstances. It teaches us many, many lessons. God’s solution was amazing and not what you would humanly think. God’s ways are higher and we are not supposed to humanly understand all His ways. King Jehoshaphat prayed. He sought God’s best yes…and B-O-Y did he get it!

He never really had to fight the vast army coming for him. God fought his battle. King Jehoshaphat’s job was to seek God and obey. Note that waiting can be part of that “seeking God and obeying” when we find ourselves in scary, adverse times. It could be that waiting allows all “the pieces to come together “ for God’s best YES.

Do not be discouraged in times of waiting. Rest in our sovereign Lord. Live the scripture “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2).

Remember, God has the answers to every single one of our problems. We may have to wait. When He tells us to act, even though His solution may not look like what we have had a perceived notion that it should look like, we are to obey fully…no matter what.

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven” (Psalm 107:28-30).

“God is completely sovereign. God is infinite in wisdom. God is perfect in love. God in His love always wills what is best for us. In His wisdom He always knows what is best, and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about.” ~Jerry Bridges

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