We fret. We worry. We question. And sometimes… we believe we know better than God.
Have you or are you currently in a place where you know God has given you promises, yet the journey toward the promise seems to take longer than you anticipated?
If you’re like me, you’ve doubted God when the promise seems dim, because time has burned the flame. Or the promise he has spoken seems to not go the route you devised, and the so-called promise contradicts the pre-conceive plan created in your mind.
When God says “Wait”, rather it’s a promise he spoke, a new job, baby, and the list goes on… it can seem like an endless journey when waiting.
But, what if in the waiting, God is changing our hearts to become more like him? What if in the waiting, not only is our faith strengthen, but our character begins to shape the character of our Savior?
Waiting can seem like an eternity in our human nature, but in God’s nature, it’s only a small portion of the journey he has mapped out for our lives.
Now, I know you may be thinking, “You don’t understand, I have been waiting forever for this promise to happen, and it hasn’t happened yet.” Trust me, I completely understand!! I’m currently waiting on promises that God has given me, and there are times I doubt God.
Check your Pulse moment:
In the waiting, it’s not about “When”, rather it’s about “What” is he trying to teach between the wait and the fulfillment.
In the waiting, the question we usually don’t ask God is, “What are you trying to teach to me, while I wait?”
Why do we doubt an all-knowing God? Why do we become frustrated with the process toward the promise, when the journey doesn’t make sense?
It’s during the waiting that God is trying to change our hearts. Often in the waiting, God uses the time between the spoken promise and the fulfillment, to shape our character.
Yet, in our frail humanity, we tend to fight God in the waiting. The longer we wait, the more we conclude that the promise will not come to fruition.
Here are 4 things we can do when a promise or promises has been given to us by God.
1. A Heart of Worship
It can be challenging to worship God in times where we feel that worship is the last thing on our mind. We rather curl up in our bed, and wish that the promise would come NOW! I challenge you to worship God at ALL times!
God desires TRUE worshipers.
John 4:23-24 in the New International Version reads:
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
2. A Heart of Prayer
1 John 5:13 says in the New International Version:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
God hears. God knows. God will reply in His timing. Just because you have received a promise, does not mean that you stop praying for that particular thing.
While waiting, seek and ask God what he is trying to teach you about him, and yourself. Allow God to shape your character, and draw nearer unto him. God may be trying to teach you valuable lessons, but you MUST allow God work on your heart, and not resist His love to make you more like him.
Also, don’t become anxious while waiting. Prayer will help you allow the anxious tendencies to be fulfilled with peace only God can give.
Remember in Philippians 4:6 says in the NIV version:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Pray and wait!
3. A Heart After His Word
One of the ways God speaks to his people is through his word. While you wait, allow the Word of God to change your heart. It’s through his word we find hope, healing, peace, etc.
Proverbs 30:5 says in the New Living Translation:
“Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.”
Read his Word, and allow it to change your heart.
4. A Heart of Thankfulness
It can be challenging to be thankful when our current life circumstances don’t align with what God has spoken to us, but we must learn to be thankful in ALL things. During our waiting season, we can thank God in advance for His promises, and for being a God that keeps His promises.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says:
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
These 4 keys will enable you to go through the waiting process, and allow the waiting to change your heart! Trust the waiting process. His plans are perfect!