Living in the Wait
By Shaun Shuler
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”
Psalms 27:14 NLT
In our world of fast-paced living, waiting can be a miserable time. We want things now, not an hour from now, and certainly not tomorrow or next week. Over the last 6 months my wife and I have been in a waiting period after our home was devastated by 2 hurricanes. Waiting for the insurance, the mortgage company and the contractor to all be on the same page and our house to get fixed has been a struggle. You can read more about our hurricane experiences here- The Year was 2020…
In my experience, waiting is so difficult because it requires patience, which many struggle with, myself included. We may gripe and complain, become angry, fall into depression, or simply give up waiting on that answer to our prayers. We then make a choice that may make things worse in our lives or divert us from our original purpose.
However, the truth is that waiting is always part of the process - not just life in general, but more so life as a Christian.
Perhaps you are living in the wait on getting a job, getting married, having children, or retirement. Maybe you are waiting for physical healing, waiting to see a loved one set free from addiction or depression, or waiting to begin your calling from GOD that He has placed in your heart at some point in the past.
The process of waiting is just as important as the thing we are waiting for.
The Bible has many examples of people waiting on GOD for something and the mistakes they made during the waiting process. But I want to share one short Scripture about someone who lived in the wait for about 30 years.
Yes, the SON of GOD, who came to earth to save our souls, had to wait before beginning His ministry. As a Christian, it is pretty safe to say that JESUS’s teachings were very important, but in GOD’s plan and in His timing, JESUS’s ministry did not get started until He was around 30 years old and it only lasted 3 years.
Why couldn’t JESUS start His ministry when He was in His early 20’s? That would have given Him more time to reach more people, right? But just like when we are wondering why it is taking so long for GOD to move in our lives, we need to remember what GOD said in the book of Isaiah:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.”
Isaiah 55:8 NKJV
We will not always, if ever, have all the answers to why GOD does things the way He does them, but we still need to keep our trust in Him, because He has a plan.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
So, what did JESUS do during His time of waiting?
We know from Mark 6:3 that JESUS was a carpenter.
The only other Scripture describing JESUS prior to the beginning of His earthly ministry was when He was 12 years old and is found in Luke 2:51-52:
While waiting to fulfill His ultimate purpose on earth, JESUS was obedient to His parents, and focused on His relationship with GOD and with others. Later, once His ministry had started, JESUS gave these as the 2 greatest commandments:
While you wait for GOD’s promises to be fulfilled in your life, do not panic while you are in the waiting phase, do not give up, and do not doubt. Honor GOD right where you are, and find ways to show love to Him and all the people in your life.
The enemy always wants us to stay focused on our problems instead of focused on the PROBLEM SOLVER.
Regardless of what we are living in the wait for, when we remain focused on GOD, we end up living a life pleasing to Him.
If the waiting becomes overwhelming, just know He will always be with you. Meditate on these promises from GOD:
Need Encouragement or Advice?
GOD’s Love for You
One Irrefutable Truth in the Midst of Trouble
Anger
Anxiety
Hope
Prison of Loneliness
Encouragement from King David
15 Promises from the Bible (Part 1)
15 Promises from the Bible (Part 2)
Protection
Jonah: Beyond the Great Fish
Failure
3 Ways to Tame Pride
Faith over Fear
JESUS and HIS Resurrection
Where is GOD in my Suffering?
When will the World End?
Thank you for visiting and please leave any comments, questions, prayer requests, or ideas for new topics you’d like for me to discuss in the comment box below.
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