Are you in a place of waiting?
It’s a challenging place to be, but, what if you could find joy in the waiting rather than despair?
Waiting is so hard to do.
Whether you’re waiting in a long line at the grocery store or you’re waiting for test results or a package to arrive or for your circumstances to change… it’s all hard. And yes… some waits feel almost impossible.
This week I talked with two friends in the waiting.
One friend is overwhelmed with the wait. She feels like she’s in murky water over her head and getting tangled as she tries to walk through the tall seaweedy grasses. Not only does she feel like she not making progress, the life she wants to live feels other worlds away.
My other friend has been struggling with trying to pay for the ever-increasing costs of college for her kids. All her attempts to take on extra work have fallen short, until this week. This week she received multiple recommendations for a position and the business that needed her help also heard from several people that she was the person that they needed to hire.
I’m elated for my friend who found the right job. And my heart is heavy for the one whose wait seems endless.
If there was a magic wand I could wave for you in the waiting, I would do it in an instant.
Except.
Except then I would be playing God.
We have limited vision and cannot see the whole picture as God sees it, we are challenged to trust God.
Like it or not, HE KNOWS what’s best for us.
When we need answers, when we need our circumstances to change, the wait is ALWAYS too long. We want help NOW.
And frankly, we often don’t care what’s best for us, we want what we think we need… NOW!
I’m an expert at waiting.
Read… I have done A LOT of waiting.
Not… I’m patient in the waiting.
We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
As we sit in the “waiting room chair” we can choose to live within this promise with the surety and security of its truth. Or not.
If we live within the walls of Romans 8:28 we can be unshakable no matter the wait or the circumstances.
The confidence that a sovereign God governs for your good all the pain and all the pleasure that you will ever experience is an incomparable refuge and security and hope and power in your life. –John Piper
When we live by the grace of Romans 8:28 we live with joy, freedom, gratitude, and generosity.
We have no need to prop up our egos, position ourselves, or give ourselves props. We’re free to live in love without regard to culture. And most of all, when we live with this level of trust, God gets the glory for it all.
Like it or not… all of us are going to be in the waiting room sometime during our lives.
The thing is… we have a choice… we can choose to live in the power and truth of Romans 8:28, or not.
It might be a new mindset for you, so it may take a while to transform your mind until you fully believe that God really does work ALL THINGS together for YOUR GOOD. Step by step… you can do it!
Allow God to guide your thoughts.
Allow God to guide your actions.
Allow God to move and act on your behalf.
And wait.
Don’t move ahead of him… but trust him and his timing.
And know that all of it… the pain and the pleasure is for your good.
The ONE who loves you best would never keep you from what’s good for you…
Trust him TODAY.
Let it go… give it up… lay it down… and wait.
He’s in the waiting.
WITH YOU!
Loving you… every. step. of. the. way.
- What are you waiting for?
- Does this help you see your waiting differently?
- What’s your next step?
It’s JoyDay!
JoyDay! is a weekly practice here at An Extraordinary Day! where we take time to look back over the past week and count seven things in gratitude. We count the good and the not-so-good. Please join us.
I’ll start…
Thank you God for…
- Your word and how even well-known verses come alive and give us help and hope and direction.
- sunshine when the temperatures are so bitterly cold for April.
- Your promises.
- laughter at the end of a long tiring week.
- Your faithfulness. You are always with us in every situation.
- my dear friend and the blessing she has been to me over the years and how she loved You and others so well.
- being able to see her one more time before you called her home.
It’s YOUR turn! Scroll down to the comment section and add in your “seven.”
Before you go… would you answer this question for me, please?
When it comes to your spiritual life… what’s your biggest struggle?
Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.
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Did you miss last week’s post and printable? Get it here.
Because I’ve done a LOT of waiting I’ve written a few posts on waiting…
Playing the Waiting Game | Joy Day!
What to do when faced with difficult times :: JoyDay!
How to Be…Strong? Wait. Strength Will Rise.
Happy Joy Day!
This has been a week full of thankfulness and scary sadness for my family and me. But push on I will.
Thank you Lord for,
1. My dad left the rehabilitation/nursing home on Thursday.
2. We have had rain this week but also a couple of very sunny day.
3. The continued strength you have given me.
4. The birds singing sweetly in my trees.
5. The strangers that helped my husband when he had a seizure in public the other day.
6. Forgiveness that you give when I get mad or upset because I don’t know the reason for….a lot
7. He is proud of me
8. I have always known love.
Blessings to you!
Minnie
Minnie, I rejoice with you that your dad was able to go home and that someone helped your husband I know those were two really big things for you. Praying with you now for peace and strength and courage. May you be overwhelmed with God’s goodness and JOY in the new week!! xo
Happy Joy Day! Really needed this inspiration after a long and hard phone call from my brother who has cancer. Thank you God for
1. Letting me spend quality time with my brother last week.
2. The caring doctors who know what they are doing.
3. My husband who is my rock when things go wrong.
4. The birds who sing each day (spring is here!.)
5. Friends who care.
6. My children who are far away but only a phone call away!
7. The continued strength you have given me.
Thank you for your words today! Romans 8:28 is my life verse. Knowing that God’s love and perspective on things is far above mine, gives me strength, comfort, and hope, as He walks this journey approaching two years as a survivor in the fight against cancer.
So many people in the wait. I’m so sorry about your loss Diane of a close friend. It is a hurt that lingers so I pray for moments of beautiful memories during this sad time and yes, verses of comfort.
1. Sunshine
2 lilacs are blooming. I shall have to pick some
3. A small project done so that another small piece in a big puzzle is completed and it’s looking better and better
4. A new reading light so I can read a book again
5. Gods Word
6. Flowers blooming now
7- phones to talk to children and family
8. Comfort