“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
I have always been one to have each step of my life, from goals to aspirations, planned out. I would write them out and truly believe that was the only way my life could and would go. Not by osmosis of course, but because I was going to work my hardest to make my dreams my reality.
Plot twist: I have also always been the person God has asked to wait.
I never and sometimes still don’t understand WHY. So, I asked God why not long ago, and here is what he shared with me:
God’s timing, not ours.
Q: Why is His timing best for us?
A: He is omniscient. All knowing. He does not and cannot make a mistake.
Q: What does waiting do for us?
A: Waiting prospers us from the inside out, as promised. Waiting cultivates patience. Waiting builds our faith in causing us to trust that He has plans only to prosper us, not to harm us. Waiting pushes us to seek His face, deeper.
As I reflect on my times of waiting, I realize how much I grew spiritually into the person God needed me to be before reaching my new and deeply wanted destination.
Let’s review our second foundational verse, which states, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” --What is this saying?
It’s saying when we receive what we’ve been asking for, we will know how to value it appropriately. We will have and maintain a deeper understanding, and through prayer avoid any form of burnout.
Honestly, waiting is tough. I transition from 24 (almost 25) to 4-years-old in a matter of seconds when asked/required to wait. But truly, waiting and seeking him makes the answer worth it in the end.
Waiting increases the believer’s perseverance.
In our waiting, you can trust that God is working not only on our request but also in you.
Challenge
Worship through your wait. Do NOT allow the enemy to steal your song of praise. Thank God in advance for hearing and responding to you. Trust God deeper and ask him what you are supposed to learn through your process. Remember, your story will be different from the next person, so try to avoid comparison. Trust that God is cultivating something greater in and through you while you wait diligently on his response.
Each of us has something we desire and have prayed for. Grab a few sticky notes, and write some of the desires of your heart. Mark them off with a “Thank you and the date (01/01/19)” when He answers you!
Love, Mariah
Meet the Author
Mariah Howard is a second-year graduate student at Abilene Christian University-Dallas. She is studying to become a speech-language pathologist and hopes to impact lives through the power of communication. She believes in the power of having a voice that is deeply rooted in the purpose Christ has placed within each of us. Mariah loves basking in the sweetness of the Savior with other chosen women of God. Mariah loves connecting and sharing her journey of life in Christ with others!
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