Four P's of Waiting

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,

to the soul who seeks him.

-Lamentations 3:25 ESV

The excitement was building up. I had been dreaming about this opportunity for many years now. I prayed daily with such boldness. I was ready to take that leap of faith. “Oh my, this is really happening”, I kept thinking. I was giddy with excitement. Then BOOM. It all came crashing down. The opportunity did not happen. I was devastated.

I cried out to God, “Why? I have been waiting for this. I prepared for this”. His response was, “Not yet.” That was five years ago. Here I am..still waiting…

Has this ever happened to you? Can you relate? Are you in the waiting season?

Each of our waiting seasons looks different. Each of us is waiting on different promises. You may be waiting for a spouse, a job, a new home, to start a family, financial breakthrough, or healing. You may be wondering, what should I do during this waiting season? I have great news for you. There are several things to do during the waiting season…

1) Pray and Trust God

While you are waiting, pray continually and trust God. When you don’t trust God, you start to doubt. Then that doubt turns into fear and anxiety. Most times fear and anxiety cause us to move “ahead” of God and seek out own resources or solutions.

Pray that God’s will be done in that which you are waiting for. Most times we have our own plans and our own agenda, but the key is to pray for HIS WILL to be done in our lives, even while we are waiting.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

2) Pursue God with Faith

During this waiting season, it is important to study God’s word and continue to hold on to his promises. Being in a waiting season causes us the draw closer to God and put our focus on him. Drawing closer to God and focusing on him strengthens and renews our faith. Waiting on God causes our faith and dependence on him to grow.

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 (NIV)

3) Prepare while Waiting

As we wait for God's blessing to be released unto us, we should still prepare during the process.

Prepare by following the instructions that God gives during prayer and quiet time with Him.

I can remember a sermon from years ago where the Pastor was talking about single women asking God to send them a Boaz. He presented that question, “How are preparing for your Boaz?” Every time I am in waiting season, I go back to this sermon and think how am I preparing while I am waiting?

If you are waiting for a spouse, are you preparing your heart to share your life with someone else?

If you are waiting for a job opportunity, are you updating your resume? Are you making new contacts?

If you are waiting for a new home, are you maintaining your current home?

Preparation requires us to seek God and understand that His plan is for a greater purpose.

4) Praise Him in Advance

Praise God in advance for what He is about to do in your life. Praise Him for the plan that He is about to unveil. Praise Him for the lessons that you learned while you are waiting for His blessings. God uses waiting to draw us closer to Him. Waiting on God takes patience. But we must be confident that He will see us through this process.

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)

So as you are in this waiting season, continue to pray, pursue God, prepare for your blessings, and praise God in advance. Choose to follow God's plan and not your own. God will make all the waiting worthwhile.

HIS LOVE and MINE,

SHEMECA