WAIT is a four-letter word

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.”  Isaiah 40:31

W-A-I-T is a four-letter word. That’s how it adds up.

I mean I want what I want. The traffic light to turn green. The checker to hurry up who is “oh so slowly” scanning. The editor to give an answer about my writing project. The reality to turn out to be a bad dream that I’m looking for housing options again since my roommate is getting married.

God, when is it my turn?

Waiting comes in different sizes. A temporary wait is annoying but a long-term wait is E-X-C-R-U-C-I-A-T-I-N-G. Sisters, excruciating is a twelve-letter word.

Wait upon wait upon wait. That’s how it adds up.

I have no choice but to come to terms with waiting. Our human and spiritual journeys require significant periods of doing so. While writing my Bible study, Capture My Heart, Lord, I discovered a few treasures. By the way, Capture My Heart was born on Valentine’s Day four years ago so stick with me and leave a comment as I’m giving away a copy. Or, if you simply can’t wait, skip my rambling and head to the end.

On to long seasons of waiting. To change my perspective of W-A-I-T as a four-letter word, I am learning to embrace four sacred places in my story.

Wonder. Waiting causes a bunch of wondering. We wonder where God is, if we’ve done something wrong, if God cares. We wonder why. And it can also cause us to look more deeply at our beliefs about who He is. We can wonder our way into grasping Him more fully. Waiting and hope are often paired together in Scripture. If we allow Him to work in us, God’s promises make us full of Wonder. He is the Wonderful One in whom we can safely place our expectations and disappointments.

Accept. A lot of acceptance is needed when waiting. Accepting God’s ways are higher than ours when longings remain and circumstances don’t change. Accepting our own frailty and humanness when we struggle with depression and unbelief. The waiting process can move our hearts to more completely accept that we are not living for this world but for the One who created us. In full acceptance, God’s presence offers Refreshing Rest.

Invite. Beside wondering and accepting is inviting. God invites us to know Him in new ways through a waiting season. He invites us to consider present opportunities for kingdom purposes. He invites us to know Him as our defender, healer, provider, counselor, and much more. God’s gentle beckoning overflows into a Delightful Surprise of how He comes through for His children.

Treat. Waiting is tough. There’s no doubt about it. Treating ourselves to something special buffers the rough edges when waiting is tearing us up. Taking a mental break is what treating is all about; whether as small as soaking in a bubble bath or on a larger scale, going on a getaway. By treating others to an experience of God’s heart, we take our mind off of our circumstances. Calling out to God to remind us He knows what we are facing unleashes Holy Encouragement.

Sweet Sister, I’d love to pray for your wait. Leave your first name in the comment section below. If you’d like to include a request, that’s great but not necessary as God knows our hearts. Speaking of the heart, you will be entered into the drawing to receive Capture My Heart, Lord as a gift.  ~Laura  *Please reply in the comments by February 28th to take part in the book giveaway

 

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