3 Choices to Help You Wait Well
Waiting is one of the most difficult yet necessary spiritual disciplines.
In our hurried, driven, fast-paced culture, we have lost the art of waiting well. If there’s a long line at Target, we move over to self-checkout. If there’s a long line at the Starbucks drive-through, we sigh and wonder if we should run inside instead. We use microwaves and Instant Pots.
Whether we’re waiting to hear back on a job interview, a doctor’s prognosis, a positive pregnancy test, or finding the right mate, we all hate waiting.
Yet, God holds a different perspective. He uses delays to sharpen us and set the stage for what He ultimately desires to do. The Quaker Isaac Penington wrote, “Therefore, we ought to wait diligently for the leadings of the Holy Spirit in everything we do.” He went on to write that in every decision we should wait for the breathing of the Spirit in us. Wowza! That is a difficult challenge, isn’t it? In our hurried culture, it’s difficult to slow down long enough to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit within us.
John 14:16 assures us that as followers of Jesus, we have the Spirit of the living Christ residing in us. He is there 24/7 to guide us forward in God’s plan for us. The rub comes when we don’t slow down enough to listen intently for His voice. Yet being in God’s presence and intentionally focusing on what the Holy Spirit might be saying is vital in our spiritual journey.
David, the psalmist, was well acquainted with waiting. Many Bible scholars feel he waited at least 17 years before the fulfillment of God’s promise to him that he would be king. We feel the struggle with David in Psalm 13, where he cries out, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?” (Psalm 13:1–2).
How did David make peace with God and settle his soul? We find the answer at the end of Psalm 13, where David writes, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5–6).
I find tucked away in these verses three choices that David made to listen intently to the movement of the Spirit in his life.
3 Choices to Help You Wait Well
1. David made the decision to trust.
Honestly, friend, most of the time I find this has to be a decision of your will. When you’re waiting for God to open a door or to answer a prayer, you have to choose with your mind to trust Him with your heart.
2. David made the decision to rejoice in his salvation.
I believe David knew he wasn’t truly home yet. He lived and wrestled in a fallen world that was dark with the fear and terror of someone (Saul) wanting him dead. But his joy was found in the God of his salvation.
3. David made the decision to sing the Lord’s praise.
While traveling in Finland, our guide told us that when Finland was invaded by enemies, the people began to sing. Singing has been proven to increase our courage and confidence. When you choose to sing the Lord’s praises while waiting, your assurance of His goodness will grow.
Friend, waiting is a part of our spiritual journeys, and in a very real sense, it reflects God’s heart. He too is waiting—waiting for men to come home to Him, waiting to redeem a groaning creation, waiting to reveal Himself fully as the victor over all evil.
As you wait, be assured that the One who calls you to wait is strengthening you as you wait. The promise is that those who wait will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).
Here’s a great song to incorporate into your morning time with Jesus as you wait: “Wait for You” by Red Rocks Worship and Sidney Bakken.
This week on The Connected Mom Podcast, we are talking with Shari Bailey, co-founder of Zigglebee—a brand dedicated to helping families connect. She has an amazing story of raising a special-needs daughter and has been featured on many top news broadcasts. If you know a family with a special-needs child, you don’t want to miss this interview!
Join Steve and me in Greece for the Footsteps of Paul Trip September 13–21, with an optional Greek Isle Cruise September 21–26. It’s going to be an amazing trip as we explore the places where the Apostle Paul taught. You can register here: https://faithbasedexpeditions.com/tour/GT926SH
