How many times have you dialed a business only to hear, “Please hold, your estimated time to wait is…?” I wonder how many times you have waited, then decided you can’t wait any longer and prematurely hung up the phone just as the operator or attendant is coming on the line? Probably more times than you know!
Waiting is something that is almost a curse word to many of us. We’ve made it offensive to our soul. We are surrounded by things, systems, and people telling us to do it quickly or else we will miss out. Everything seems to be moving at light speed. Fast food. The internet. The microwave. Because everything else is getting faster, we expect God to lower His standards and rush through everything as well. Not so. He does things perfectly and He has His timing. The truth is, if we don’t wait on God, we may end up with a business, church, or ministry that is growing because of our persistence and God-given gifts, but not because of the perfect plan and timing that God has for us. What we do ourselves won’t last! There is a time to do and a time to wait.
In your life it may appear that God gave you a promise or plan and then He just exited from your life. That’s not the case. You are just in your molding and shaping season. Abraham, David, and Joseph provide us with great yet different examples of waiting. Their examples show us the molding that we have to go through during this time and that though waiting may appear too long (see 2 Peter 3:9), the rewards are supernatural. Try these 3 steps to walk through your waiting period:
Stop! (see Psalm 46:10) Be still! Stop “doing.” Stop trying to figure things out. Stop trying to do something to get out of this situation. Stop listening to everyone else. Stop worrying (see Jeremiah 17:8). Know what season you are in. Just stop. There is a time when God wants us to act or “do.” He’s quite capable of telling you when it’s time to act. Right now it’s time to wait.
Trust God (see Romans 10:11). He created you. He allowed your situation. He designed your destiny. Trust Him. This may take every fiber of your being, but develop a new habit, by saying each moment, “Lord, I’m going to trust You even though this doesn’t make sense. Lord help me.” If you don’t know what it means to trust God this is a good time. Your waiting period is a time to get to know Him on a different level.
Prepare (see Psalm 1 & Luke 2:52). This is your preparation period. This is where God purges you and shapes your character for what He has for you in the next level. Learn all that you can during this time.
Whether it is starting a business, creating a new ministry, or taking your church to the next level, be patient during this time. God is doing necessary work in you. Don’t abort the wonderful experiences that He has for you. Be patient and just wait a minute!
