Dawn Richter
Teacher at the Christian School, Bus Ministry, and Jr Church
Liberty Baptist Church
Fircrest, WA
Waiting is probably one of the most difficult things for a person to do. We go to restaurants, order food and wait 15-20 minutes for our food to be ready. And sometimes we sit there watching those who came after us get their food before us. We sit there starring at these people and we are filled with hanger! Let's be real we've all been there. We even plan exciting vacations and say "oh I can't wait for my vacation!" while we count down the days, hours and seconds until it arrives. We've spent time sitting in the waiting room of hospitals anxiously hoping for some news from the doctor. In these situations there is always something that we try to do to keep ourselves occupied. At a restaurant we'll order an appetizer or fellowship with those who are with us . And when we have been stuck in the waiting room we try to make time go faster by watching tv. But the most difficult waiting period is when God tell us to wait.
Nearly two years ago I went through a very difficult personal trial. It was a time in my life that all the plans I had made and thought were going to come to pass completely crumbled at my feet. God took me and placed me in a spiritual waiting room. During this time, one of the hardest things for me was to see others getting what I had longed for. And to be honest I still struggle with it. I have had to sit and watch people around me, and even sometimes those younger than me, get what I have been praying for myself. Though this was not easy I've learned how to wait on God. There are four principles that I use from Psalm 37:3-5,7 that have helped me.
1. TRUST <confidence placed in a person by making that person the nominal owner of property.> in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt fed."
I have learned to place my problems into God's hands and let him take over. God can handle any situation better than I can. Trusting in my own ability will only lead to stress anxiety. (Proverbs 4:5-6) We must rely on Him.
2.DELIGHT <take great pleasure in, no other need of fulfillment thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
God should always be our source of strength. Often when going through difficult times people will find someone or something that will make them feel better about their situation. People seek fulfillment in sports, music, tv and even other people. True fulfillment comes from having a deep relationship with God not man. Man does and will continue to fail us everyday but God never will. (Duet 31:6)
3.COMMIT < send, entrust, or consign, in particular, deliver, give, hand over,> thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Entrusting God with our future can be difficult, because we want things to happen the way we imagine them to and in our time. But when we hand over our hopes and dreams to God, we can trust that he will have a way better outcome than we could have ever imagined. (Prov 3:5, Isaiah 55:8-9)
4. REST <be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position.> in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."
This last one can be the most difficult. Sometimes God brings us to a place in our life that we don't understand why we are in this situation. We have done everything right, we have given our plans to God and trusted him to bring it to pass. Yet when it comes to resting and waiting we have a difficult time with this one I know I do. We see those around us who are getting their dreams fulfilled and we become discouraged. God tells us we must not fret because of these people. Just to wait patiently.
Through waiting on God comes many blessings. He never promises it will be easy but he does promise he will supply us with the strength needed. (Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31) Two years ago I would have never thought I would be where I am today. My visions for my life were completely different. But that's just it they were MY visions MY goals. I had to learn to give them over to God and to trust Him with the results. Although I am still in the spiritual waiting room with some things, God has been blessing me with many different opportunities. Had my goals and dreams come to pass I probably would have never had these opportunities. Gods ways are better than we can ever imagine. Waiting for God to bring it to pass won't be easy but it will always be worth it!
Nearly two years ago I went through a very difficult personal trial. It was a time in my life that all the plans I had made and thought were going to come to pass completely crumbled at my feet. God took me and placed me in a spiritual waiting room. During this time, one of the hardest things for me was to see others getting what I had longed for. And to be honest I still struggle with it. I have had to sit and watch people around me, and even sometimes those younger than me, get what I have been praying for myself. Though this was not easy I've learned how to wait on God. There are four principles that I use from Psalm 37:3-5,7 that have helped me.
1. TRUST <confidence placed in a person by making that person the nominal owner of property.> in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt fed."
I have learned to place my problems into God's hands and let him take over. God can handle any situation better than I can. Trusting in my own ability will only lead to stress anxiety. (Proverbs 4:5-6) We must rely on Him.
2.DELIGHT <take great pleasure in, no other need of fulfillment thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
God should always be our source of strength. Often when going through difficult times people will find someone or something that will make them feel better about their situation. People seek fulfillment in sports, music, tv and even other people. True fulfillment comes from having a deep relationship with God not man. Man does and will continue to fail us everyday but God never will. (Duet 31:6)
3.COMMIT < send, entrust, or consign, in particular, deliver, give, hand over,> thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Entrusting God with our future can be difficult, because we want things to happen the way we imagine them to and in our time. But when we hand over our hopes and dreams to God, we can trust that he will have a way better outcome than we could have ever imagined. (Prov 3:5, Isaiah 55:8-9)
4. REST <be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position.> in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."
This last one can be the most difficult. Sometimes God brings us to a place in our life that we don't understand why we are in this situation. We have done everything right, we have given our plans to God and trusted him to bring it to pass. Yet when it comes to resting and waiting we have a difficult time with this one I know I do. We see those around us who are getting their dreams fulfilled and we become discouraged. God tells us we must not fret because of these people. Just to wait patiently.
Through waiting on God comes many blessings. He never promises it will be easy but he does promise he will supply us with the strength needed. (Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31) Two years ago I would have never thought I would be where I am today. My visions for my life were completely different. But that's just it they were MY visions MY goals. I had to learn to give them over to God and to trust Him with the results. Although I am still in the spiritual waiting room with some things, God has been blessing me with many different opportunities. Had my goals and dreams come to pass I probably would have never had these opportunities. Gods ways are better than we can ever imagine. Waiting for God to bring it to pass won't be easy but it will always be worth it!
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