waitingA couple of months back, my Sunday school teacher asked our Sunday school class this question. When is it hardest to be patient? Without hesitation I quickly answered, I believe it is hardest to be patient when you are most uncomfortable.

Then he started to look at the story of Noah and how long they had to wait on the Ark until they could once again set foot on dry land. We speculated about how tiresome and uncomfortable being on that boat must have been. If it was me, I’d be miserable.

Back then, people were not as accustomed to modern conveniences as we are now and what we call uncomfortable, they’d call everyday life. Sometimes I feel spoilt for wanting more and better, when they are people out there living with so much worst.

There are so much modern conveniences that we consider a part of life’s basic package, clean water, indoor plumbing, somewhere nice to live and sleep (whether it’s luxury or not), safe food to eat. What am I complaining for?

I am using this season of waiting, to learn to be a person who appreciates what I have, while waiting on God to take me to the next step. Like a beautiful flower, I do not want to remain just a seed or a stem but I want to grow and bloom in my season, rooted in God’s grace. In other words, I do want more and better.

I want to grow, progress and evolve. Like I said in part one of this series, I feel as though our family have grown out of the apartment we are in and it is time to progress to another season of life. Just like the hermit crab who has grown out of his shell. It used to be the right fit, now it is too tight and he has to look for a bigger shell that will be the new right fit.

We were made to move, grow and evolve. God made His children in bible times do that. No one fulfilled God’s plan for their life by remaining where they started. I certainly haven’t remained where I started and thank God for that.

I know God has a plan for my life, a plan to prosper me and my family, to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). So I don’t believe that He plans to bring us to a certain point in our life and then leave us. I also know that things will happen in His timing, and not my own (Proverbs 16:9). I know God is using the season of waiting to shape my trust in Him, His plans and His timing.

One of the things I have to remember is that as frustrated and uncomfortable as I may feel. They are people worse off than I am. People who have no home at all. So I am thankful for God’s provision.

I know God is shaping me. I am not yet to the point where I don’t whine or complain at all, but I am a lot further than I use to be. I am thankful for that too.

I have experienced these waiting seasons before, where my shell got too tight and it was hard for me to stretch and grow. The wait seemed too long and unbearable, but nevertheless, I had to wait anyway.

Experience has shown, that if God lays it on your heart that it is time to move. Then he will clear the path for you to move when the time is right. When you align yourself with God’s perfect timing, you have a better chance of winning the race and enjoying the run.

So yeah, I’m a little whiny about my frustrations and discomforts at times (I’m praying about it and working on it), but it is not for the lack of faith or trust that God will fulfill his promise. It is because I am still learning how to be patient when I am most uncomfortable.

Dear God, I am thankful for all the ways you have blessed my life, I ask that you change my heart and help me to learn to wait in my waiting seasons with a patient heart. Help me to put my trust in you.

In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, Amen

God’s Word:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

We plan the way we want to live,
but only God makes us able to live it.
Proverbs 16:9 MSG

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMP
3 But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! Habakkuk 2:3 TLB

Extras:

My heart was singing this song the whole time I was writing this post. So I invite you to take in this song of worship today. Maybe it is just what your spirit needs right now.

A Look Back at where I have been- Blog Archives- Waiting- August 19th, 2008

Article from Joyce Meyer- When God’s Timing is Taking Too Long

 

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