Why The Wait?

Wait: stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.

 "Wait" is not a a word I like to hear. It makes me angry. 

It's not in our human nature, waiting. Especially in our society where we are accustomed to getting everything immediately.

So why the wait? Why does God force us to wait?

Andy and I have been hit with the waiting game pretty hard lately.
This is what I have learned...

Trust God. Waiting has a way of forcing me to trust His plan. We know He has gone before us. However, He only allows us to see one step directly in front of us at a time. Each time we take a step, He provides us with the next step.

I have wrestled with this, desperately wanting to know where we will be next year, and the next; never being content with knowing where we are today.

Today, right now, we are fine. God has made sure of that- why can't that be enough?

What I have learned: it is enough. Today is enough. And we trust Him for tomorrow.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

We need to live our life through the wait. We don't know where we will be in a few years but we are learning to live in the now.

We can't have the mentality of, "Oh, I will be happy when...". No. happy in the now.

Otherwise, we will never be content.

There is always the next chapter, always something else to look forward to {or be anxious about}. Be it getting a new job, a new house, children, new friends, new {insert anything}.

We have had to change our thinking to happy in the now. Happy with each other. Happy with everything God has given us today. It makes the wait much easier.

The heavens declare the Glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

Treating my body right. Eating healthy foods {most of the time}, eating enough food{not skipping meals because of worry}, and daily exercise is a game changer.

Simply taking care of my body has helped me win a little more at this waiting game. Routine exercise helps decrease anxiety and eating the proper foods gives the body energy for each day.

Common sense, right? Well, a dose of common sense can be the best medicine.
{took me long enough}

Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I have learned fervent prayer.

There are things I worry about that are out of my control and I can't change anything through worry.

So what then? Pray.

While waiting I have learned to pray specifically and strategically. And let God handle my battles.

He has fought for us. He will continue to fight for us.

A season of waiting is the perfect time for prayer. I believe that is part of the reason God forces us to wait, so we will actually talk to Him.

But we also give glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance,
 and perseverance, character, and character hope. Romans 5:3-4

Patience is a virtue, right? Wow. This is the area I have been hit hard. I am horrible at being patient. I want it and I want it now.

I will never understand His grace and understanding but I am so thankful for it. God is teaching me patience through waiting. Unfortunately, I'm a slow learner. But I'm getting there.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 

Joy in the Lord. When we aren't receiving all our earthly wants we start to get angry and frustrated at everyone and everything. We tend to forget where our joy actually stems.

Through this season of waiting I have learned to find my joy in God.

I can't seek joy from Andy, from our successes, from my job, from my dog, from my family, or from any earthly thing- they will eventually disappoint.

Yes, ALL these aspects of my life bring me joy but they cannot become my joy.

That is God's place.

This is a great {and a little harsh} lesson.
It helps me remain joyful amidst the wait.

You make known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

I have learned to appreciate the beauty of each day. I have a bad habit of rushing my life away. I can't wait until I graduate, I can't wait until I get a job, I can't wait until... on and on and on. It's exhausting.

Each day is a gift from God. It should be cherished. If you look hard enough, there is always something beautiful about each day- even if it's something small.

There is beauty- even in the midst of waiting. Even in a season of life that you or I wish would hurry up and move on. There is beauty, if we only look.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:4

As frustrating as it can be, waiting is a blessing. God can use it to teach wonderful lessons

{as He can use any phase of life}.

I hope if you are in a waiting season, with us, you can take heart and be encouraged.

     And all things will end, including the wait. 

{I don't know if that's specifically in the Bible anywhere, I made it up}. 

But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not get weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Thanks for reading. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Happy Heart Month!