I think that one of the hardest things to do is to wait on God. The waiting period can create fear, anxiety, hopelessness and more.
But wouldn’t it be great if God answered our prayers according to our time!?
OF COURSE!!
However, that is NOT how God operates. Since God is God, the alpha and the omega and our creator, HE has EVERY right to do things when he wants to. That statement can stir up some mixed emotions with some readers. Some may feel a sense of calmness and peace because they trust in God because they truly do believe that, “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”, Romans 8:28 King James Version (KJV). Whereas, others may begin to rebel against God and in some cases resent HIM because they are not getting what they want.
Why resent or rebel against the one who knows our future! Doesn’t it sound foolish to deliberately go against someone who wants to help and bless you? That is what God wants to do for our lives despite our storms. I have to constantly remind myself that I am not in control of what is ahead of me. I can only trust that what is ahead of me is greatness because of God.
I must admit, the waiting process is HARD! It is difficult because many times I want to know what is going on or what is about to happen. I must remind myself that God’s ways are HIGHER than my ways and HIS thoughts are HIGHER than my thoughts! Isaiah 55:8 mentions that! God is much brighter than us! I do not care what degrees you hold or how high your GPA is; God knows ALL so we have to train ourselves to sit down and stop stressing! It is much easier said I know!
You WILL have good days and you WILL have bad days. You will have moments of joy and have moments of sorrow. We cannot avoid the seasons that God has set for us to experience because
There is a time for EVERYTHING!!
Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verses 1-8 is proof that life is about seasons/changes/our highs and our lows:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 New King James Version (NKJV)
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace".
I do believe that the process of God is a mystery. We will never know what God is up to but we must trust that he is up to something good; even when we are experiencing an uncomfortable season.
We must begin to believe that God does NOT want to hurt his children. God wants to mold us and mature us with his love and grace. Isaiah 64:8 (NIV) “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand”.
There is purpose in seasons and what God wants from us is to: TRUST HIM.
In reality, it is not that simple to trust the process of God in accordance to times of seasons. So I have listed some tips may help:
•Journal
Keep a journal that you can write to God. He wants to hear from us and believe it or not, it brings so much peace and a sense of closeness. Let God know what your thinking- although he already knows prior to you writing it. Let God know what you are worried about, your feelings during a season that is good or uncomfortable. As you begin to write and even look over past entries, you will begin to notice a shifting of your attitude because you have given your cares and problems to God.
•PRAY
It is difficult to pray when things are trying but prayer does change things. Venting to others is good but standing in agreement through prayer that God’s promises over your life will be fulfilled is greater!
•Spend time with God
This is necessary! God will talk to you through your seasons but you must position yourself to hear his voice. The more time you spend with him through the word, worship and prayer; the more you will begin to hear from him through a season and you will begin to trust in him more.
•Seek spiritual advice from people of God
Life experiences from others can be great teaching moments. Some of the storms we go through are not only for ourselves but for others to be encouraged. Having a spirit fill conversation can speak so much life into your life that you begin to look at your season in another light. A light filled with hope
REMEMBER that it is not our job to understand God but to trust and love him so that we can grow in our seasons and for HIS GLORY to show in our seasons.
