One thing I have learned is that the “wait” period is the most challenging period of anyone’s life, no matter how short or long it may be. I have also learned that God causes all things –even those unpleasant and unwanted situations –to work together for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). Even when those unwanted things happen, we must understand the truth of God’s word that ALL things work together for good…including the waiting period. Here are a few things to do while you wait.
The foremost thing to do while you wait is to be sure God actually wants you to wait. Some people have delayed themselves because they did not ask God if what they were waiting for was in line with His plan. Understanding God’s plan and purpose for you at a time will help you know whether you are to wait or just change base. (1 Chr. 12:31)
Someone said when you are waiting on the Lord, just do what waiters do: serve. Another songwriter said there is joy and contentment in serving the Lord. Serving God while you wait on Him takes your mind off the current situation and places joy and contentment in your heart. Who knows, while doing that, you may discover that God would rather open another better door instead of the one you so badly want. Lamentations 3:25 tells us that the Lord is good to those who wait on Him, to the soul who seeks Him. Only those who wait on God and do so while seeking Him eventually enjoy the benefits of the wait.
A common mistake made by believers in waiting is to wait in prayer alone. While you are waiting on God, develop yourself. You may be surprised that your wait was self-caused because of your unpreparedness. As much as God is a God of favour and miracles, He is also a God of principles. There are principles that guide His blessings. The scripture tells us that it is the diligent man that stands before kings (Pro. 22:29). Perhaps the reason for the wait is that you have not been diligent enough. Prayers don’t place men before kings, diligence catalysed by God’s grace can. As you wait on God for your harvest and increase, keep sowing and keep watering what has been sown. Develop yourself for that position.
The wait period should build your trust in God. While you wait on God to do that which you have been praying for, keep trusting. Sometimes, the wait is there to grow our trust in God. Joseph had known he was destined for greatness since he was a young boy (Gen. 37:5-11). But that destiny did not manifest until 13 years later. He had a long wait. In fact, his waiting period made giving up much easier. But at the end of that season of his life, we see he had learned one key thing, to depend on and credit God (Gen. 40:8). The scripture tells us that God makes everything beautiful in its own time. Till the beautification comes, we must remain trusting.
Live a life of gratitude. Worrying, complaining, and ingratitude generally show impatience. As we wait on God, we must exhibit patience. Displays of ingratitude or worry show impatience. Remember, patience is not just about waiting but also about our attitude while we wait. While you are waiting for what you have asked of God, thank Him for the ones you already have. If you look closely, there is always something to be thankful for.
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits and in his word, I put my hope. I wait for the Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6 NIV
Furthermore, the scripture tells us in Philippians 4:6 to not be anxious about anything. Waiting anxiously will do you no good. Instead, we are admonished to make our requests known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Thank God for those things as if they were already in your hands. Call them forth through thanksgiving. That is a move of faith and you know God’s stance on faith.
There may be thoughts of how “time is going” but remember that time has never been a constraint for our God. He created it, He can also bypass it (Joel 2:25). While you wait, ask God what to do with that period.
While you wait, recollect God’s promises. Surround yourself with the truth of His word. Remember that He who has promised is faithful (Heb. 10:23b). His words do not return to Him void (Isa. 55:11). He is not one to lie. If He has said it, shall he not bring it to pass? (Num. 23:19)
It would be a lie to say the waiting period is easy for anyone. It is a truly difficult time. There are days when the tears will be uncontrollable and days when you believe you’ve “moved on”. But through it, we learn dependence on God, we see his faithfulness to His word, and grow into better versions of ourselves. And this is what the scripture tells us about those that wait.
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 ESV
Sometimes, some waits are not necessary. The scripture tells us of a certain man who had waited by the river for 38 years hoping to one day get into it for healing as soon as the angel of the Lord came to turn the water. But the day He met with the Lord Jesus, his wait was over. He didn’t even need to get into the water to receive healing. The healing he so desired came to him where he was. Perhaps there is something you have been waiting so long for, your wait may be because you haven’t met with Jesus. He can shorten that period and bring the future to now.
Today presents you with an opportunity to meet with this Jesus. He can shorten your wait period or make it much easier. Say this prayer: thank you Jesus for loving me and dying for me. Today I accept your sacrifice of love for me. From now on I believe and trust in you, my wait is made easy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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