The Season of Waiting
If I were to make a list of my least favorite things to do, I'm pretty sure waiting would rank in the top five. There aren't many things I enjoy less than remaining in that agonizing place of staring my hopes and longings in the face and wondering how, and when, and if God will ever allow them to come true.
"Why doesn't anything just happen for me?" I often find myself grumbling, tired of waiting, tired of trying to hang onto hope as the months and years slip away and so many questions remain unanswered. I long for a breakthrough in a tedious career that does little to spark life in my heart. I struggle to find a meaningful purpose to center my life around. I wonder when God will finally bring the right man into my life to love and be loved by. I look inwardly at all the healing, growth, and freedom I've yet to experience and wish God operated on my timetable instead of his.
So many times I've begged God to finally reach down from heaven and move, speak, act, shine a light on my path. But so often when I go to him with my questions and restlessness, he doesn't reveal anything instantly. Yes, he brings hope, he renews my faith, and he gives me strength to keep going.
But in that gentle, quiet voice, he also speaks the words I've heard over and over again … my daughter, wait.
And so I do. And as the years pass by, I'm finally beginning to realize it's in these seasons of waiting and being still before God, pouring out my heart before him, that he does some of his greatest work. It's in the desert, the wilderness, the quietness that God can restore hope and vision and deepen my character. It's in waiting that I get to know God's heart more intimately and finally begin to realize he is my life.
Here are a few of the things I'm learning as I continue to walk through my own season of waiting.
Don't try to do life alone.
There was a time when I struggled through life on my own, too scared and stubborn to let anyone in. Although meaningful relationships were the one thing I longed for above anything else, I was terrified of being rejected. And so I became known as the girl who never admitted a need, never burdened anyone with my problems. If there were tears to be cried, I cried them behind closed doors. If there were hurts and fears to be dealt with, I waited until no one else was around. I was the one everyone came to with their problems, but rarely would I risk letting them see the wounds in my own heart.
Thankfully God didn't let me stay there, but it's been a long, slow, painful (and scary) journey to realize we were never meant to walk through life alone, and that God actually designed some of his most powerful work to happen in the context of community. If it's growth, freedom, maturity, wholeness, and restoration we're after—then people, the right people, are going to be one of the biggest tools God uses.
More from by Sherry Funk:
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Annette
Powerful...I too am in a season of waiting. I get "Stuck" sometimes and I wonder if God knows I am waiting. God knows everything about me past,present,future.I just don't know. Reading this has made me realize I am not the only one waiting. I wait in excited anticipation. I know God is moving in my life but I have to learn to be still and listen.
Therese
This article is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today. I am waiting on many things (love, career, just change and breakthrough) and I needed to know and be reassured about why I am here waiting and what I should be doing. Thank you Lord. I am now more excited about the things I can do and continue doing while I'm waiting. The song, "While I'm waiting" by John Waller is officially my theme song.
Marrianne
Wooh, just the right words for what I have being through, the waiting for your dreams,hopes. I thank God for everything but its not been easy,the Lord Jesus has been my all even it times when you felt no one understands He understands it all. Im so encouraged Im not alone.With God all things are possible. Im single 35yrs with a daughter and hopeful that God's will be done in my life.
Lovely
Thank you for sharing your life. Praise God for doing mighty things through you. Indeed, He is great. I can relate, with every words you said. GOD is really at work. I was just talking to GOD about my struggle and just lead me to your site. I also keep a journal, and as I look back God fulfilled my dreams. It's just that, there are still unrealized dreams. But I know in time, in God's time... if it is His will for those dreams to come true... His will be done... God is not only concerned with our dreams, but more concerned with the journey. How we walk with Him and through Him. Knowing that there are also women, who walks with GOD with the same struggle, motivates me to keep going... Ladies... set your gear... we don't know about tomorrow but we know who holds our hands... Enjoy the journey with our Savior Jesus Christ... He's the true lover of our soul...
deedee Burks
yes woman of God I have expericence the same thing and you are right because I am in that same place now and that place is God calling you into that place of waiting and that place will bring you closer to him. you will pray more fast more and lay on your face to find the will of God for your life. because at this time you have question that you want God to answer. and it seem like a life time. this place get hard sometime . I feel better because I understand wait a little bit better than when the waiting started . thank God for this season it make us in to the rightousness of God
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