Waiting on God

Isaiah 40:31 (AMP) says, But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.

I love that verse so much.

I cannot tell you how many times in the last few months I have spoken that verse over myself, and how much God has placed in my heart the prayer that I would learn more than ever before to wait on Him.

To expect Him, to look for Him, to hope in Him.

In the spirit of being transparent and honest, I’ll share a little bit about this season of life that I’m in. Last year, I entered into a relationship and it became very serious. So much so that we had looked at and tried on engagement rings, picked out songs and various other details of the wedding I was so expectant for. And then one day recently, I found myself no longer in that relationship. I was so unprepared for that loss and to be honest with you, I didn’t accept it. At the core of my being I so much did not want to be in the season I had just entered into that I was determined to find a way around it.

I told myself "no", I told God "no". I had audible arguments with God, telling Him that I did not want this pain. I didn't want this loss. I begged Him to give me a way out. For all my arguing and avoidance of where I was…I was still there. God heard my cries, He heard my arguments but in the midst of it I heard so many times Him telling me to just wait, telling me to rest awhile.

I know that each and every one of you has been in this same spot. Maybe you’re in it right now. All of us for different reasons, maybe we suffered loss in the form of a relationship, maybe it was a death, maybe it was division between family or friends. Whatever it was, in that first moment where you realize what is happening our first instinct is a huge "NO". We want to run away from it, we want to go around it, anything but go through it, and preferably as fast as possible. The problem is ladies, we can try and get around it as much as we want but we will still have to go through it, and sometimes (most times) that involves waiting. We can try to distract ourselves, to numb ourselves, to find replacements, but none of that helps us.

Avoiding your season as opposed to embracing it and what God will do for you through it will only hinder the growth and good that can come out of it.

Once I finally accepted where I was and opened myself up to what God had in store for me I felt a greater peace. I felt such assurance that even though the world I built up for myself was crumbling, I was so safe in His loving arms. I still have no idea what my future looks like, and I have no idea how long I’ll be in this season where I’m waiting but that’s okay. I will wait for God’s plan for me to unfold, I will expect, I will look for, and I will hope in Him. While I’m waiting I will gain new strength, and I will not grow weary. No matter what comes against me, what season I’m in and however long it takes I will trust in the one who is directing all of it, and no matter how I feel I will praise Him all the way through it. I’ll embrace every minute of the good seasons and the hard seasons and with God I will walk through them.

 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

 Why are you cast down, O my soul,  and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 43:5 (ESV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. Romans 15:13 (AMP)