This post is part of the “Walking with God Through Life’s Hard Seasons” series. Here we focus on finding hope and patience when God’s timing feels slow, learning to rest in His perfect plan.
Who likes to wait? Our society has created a generation of people who want things now. But regardless of that, we need to learn to be patient in waiting, and not lose heart. This is God’s way.
Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
In this passage, we see that God is good to those who hope, seek, and wait quietly for Him.
Remember where our strength comes from.
Psalm 31:24 NIV “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
We do not always feel strong. That’s where trust comes in. We don’t depend on our “feelings”; they are unstable and can change in a moment. We need to trust the Lord that He will help us, He doesn’t change.
Here are some points to help while we wait for the Lord to answer and encourage us not to lose heart:
- Keep Your Focus on Jesus Christ
- Have a Good Attitude
- Expect an Answer
- Cultivate a Spiritual Discipline
- Conclusion
Keep Your Focus on Jesus Christ
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
When you are going through a difficult time, stop and take a moment to refocus. Are you depending on the Lord or are you looking to the world for answers?
The more you focus on the Lord, the more natural it will become to reach out to Him immediately.
Don’t Lose Heart in Trials, Trust the Lord’s Timing.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
God is sovereign. He knows what is happening and what will happen. Because of His vast knowledge, He knows the right time to act. When you fix your eyes on the Lord, He gives you peace in the waiting.
Have a Good Attitude
Psalm 51:10 NIV “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Sometimes our attitude needs adjustment when we’re waiting. The Holy Spirit is there to help us ensure our hearts are free from sin by prompting confession.
We need to have an unwavering commitment to the Lord’s plan. When you are unsure, waiting becomes much harder.
What Happens When We Wait for the Lord?
Isaiah 40:31 NIV “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
When trials are overwhelming you, the Lord will strengthen you. Ever see an eagle soar? It glides as smoothly as silk in complete freedom. Isn’t this better than relying on your own devices?
Expect an Answer
Psalm 5:3 NIV “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.“
This is a beautiful verse. The freshness of the morning, bringing your requests to the Lord, knowing His heart is waiting to help you. Then-expecting an answer.
Of course, sometimes it takes a little time. But if you’re focused on Him, your waiting is not in vain. He makes His help available at the right time.
God Will Make Your Path Firm
Isaiah 40:1-3 NIV “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
Ever felt like this? Stuck in the mud? The Lord hears and lifts us. He sets our feet on a rock, and our place is firm.
Not only that, the Lord puts a song in our mouth which becomes a hymn of praise to Him. Because of our witness of His help and power, others are led to the Lord.
Cultivate Spiritual Discipline
Prayer
You are told to go to the Lord in prayer, but we see in the parable of the widow and judge that we are to be persistent.
Luke 18:1-8 NIV “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
If the unjust judge gave the widow justice because of her persistence, will the Lord not answer the prayers of those He loves?
Reading God’s Word
Psalm 130:5 NIV “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
A good thing to do when waiting for the Lord is to spend time in His Word. The Psalmist above gives witness to staying in God’s Word. This encourages him and gives him hope as He waits.
Help Others
Galatians 6:9 NIV “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
It’s always a good idea to lend a helping hand to others. When you are waiting for the Lord to answer, thinking of others is a good distraction. It can take your mind off your problems, and you feel blessed in return.
Conclusion
We have talked about points to help you not lose heart when you’re waiting for the Lord to answer:
- Keep Your Focus on Jesus Christ
- Have a Good Attitude
- Expect an Answer
- Cultivate a Spiritual Discipline
- Conclusion
Sometimes it’s challenging to find time to talk to the Lord and read His Word. Try setting 15 minutes aside when it’s convenient. Take one verse and meditate on it. Quality is better than quantity.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.