There is faith in the waiting.
Just the other morning, God brought that phrase to mind as I was praying.
Hmmm???
Faith built?
Faith required?
Faith challenged?
Faith turned into assurance?
Which was it?
What exactly was He trying to say to me?
And how about you…what do you think that might mean for you?
As I have thought about it…I remember so many times that each of those facets of faith have been true.
Perhaps you can say the same?
There has been faith built in my waiting for the return of my prodigal son.
Faith in waiting for the slow but sure progress of my special needs grandson.
Faith in the waiting for that long prayed-for report: “No Evidence of Disease” with the cancer my daughter has been fighting!
AND…
In those same gut-wrenching situations – and so many more – there has been faith required!
Faith required when nothing seemed to be happening.
Faith required when I wondered if God was hearing my prayers.
Faith required just like the martyr’s in the book of Revelation, when they cry out…”Lord, Lord…how long must we wait?”
There is faith challenged.
Faith challenged in waiting as my sweet Nick – lost in addiction – hits “bottom”…only to go deeper – staying longer still.
Faith challenged in waiting as we face progress – then plateaus – in JJ’s developmental capacity.
Faith challenged as we hear the doctors tell Amanda that IBC is a “tough one”…and even with good reports, they marvel saying “we have no idea how this is possible”?
Over and over again God has used the waiting times to build faith.
And then there is the miracles He is up to when we wait in faith!
I saw one of those just yesterday!
This time it was with my beautiful…strong…amazing Mom who is 91 years young.
And I do mean young!
She still lives independently – drives – looks more like 70 than 90 – volunteers – attends church – does Bible Studies – and loves sports and politics.
2 years ago, I felt it was time to begin thinking about selling her home and finding someplace better for the years ahead.
“Not interested!” is putting it mildly.
So I push…just a little.
Not a good idea.
Finally…letting go.
Committing to prayer and God’s wisdom.
I prayerfully wait…
Just a few weeks ago she said – “I think I am ready”.
Long story short…there is a newly renovated and managed independent living community just 5 minutes from my house.
Who knew?
And…better yet…she loves it!
Who knew?
God knew!
Faith in the waiting turned into assurance.
Now I realize – yet again…
Waiting is part of the way God works.
It is God doing what only He can do…in his perfect timing.
So, if this finds you struggling with waiting…in the midst of waiting…wondering while waiting…
For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:3)
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
“Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
“What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
Rest assured, there is faith in the waiting…and the best place to to go as you prayerfully build that kind of faith is God’s Word!
Blessings and Love in Christ,
Pam
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Pam,
My Life is in the midst of a Trial! http://www.tbivictim.org I Have SOLID FAITH That GOD Still Needs Me to Do Many things!!
My Faith built= Is By GOD Demonstrating That, even The Well Educated Ephesians, Who claim to Know All, can Be completely Inaccurate in their “Best Projections of my Outcome! My Faith is Built Stronger, every day, GOD Keeps me Alive that Defies My Doctors’ “Best projections for a LIMITED Lifespan, of Only 32!” My 40th Birthday was on August 9th, 2016!
Faith required= My Faith Is Required & Brings Me Joy I have Progressed through another Day!!
Faith challenged=My Faith is Challenged in Many Aspects of My Life! I Believe GOD has Guided Me to Develop a Plan for “My Year of Years Journey”-(www.myyearofyearsjourney.com)
Faith turned into assurance= My Faith is Boosted To Assurance Each Day I Complete My Conditioning For My Journey!
Jeramie Tesky
Yes. I have been waiting on a vision that I was given in the summer of 2012 and then God gave me more visions that pertained to the first throughout 2013, 2014, and 2015. Nothing has come to pass yet but I will continue to wait for it even if it’s another 4 more years. (2020) I have gone through the biggest battle since He showed it to me in 2012 from the enemy but I just have to let God manifest the vision in His way and timing. I tried to manifest it in MY way and timing in California where I used to live and all it produced was depression, frustration, and then unbelief. Well, Abraham and Sarah waited like 25 years for Isaac. I will wait, too.
Pam this is so good. I so “get it” right now. Life gets comfortable for a bit and then time to stretch, rest and deeply trust. My verse this year seems to be Joshua 1:7-9 and I love the ESV version because it says ONLY be strong and VERY courageous….ok God, I hear you and I will….
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Thanks for sharing this.
I need to renew my strength by waiting because the journey is long. Thanks for that reminder. I always enjoy your write ups.