“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6
Do you ever feel like something you want is never going to happen? Generally speaking, I can be patient, but my patience has a breaking point, which can change on any given day. There’s a reason I bring a knitting project and/or book with me everywhere: something to do while I wait. Lately, though, I have felt overwhelmed by the number of things I am waiting on that have been years in the making. I felt the need for something to be finished, but my list of things in progress was growing and so was my impatience.
God has a sense of humor because when I asked, or rather demanded, for something, anything, to be finished he answered in an unusual way. He helped me finish a game. I like to play June’s Journey (a hidden object game) to relieve stress and help improve my memory. The game has multiple sub-games, like completing a picture album by finding snippets while involved in regular play. The album has two levels with rewards. I’ve finished one level multiple times but never the second one. This past week I finally did it! I completed both levels of the album and two other sub-games. I completed everything available in the game for this month. I have to admit I did a little happy dance and clapped.
Now, did my garage get cleaned out (10 years in process), twenty plus craft projects finished, or my home renovations completed (also 10 + year in process)? No. But, I felt better nonetheless. There are other spiritual and personal dreams that also haven’t been completed, but winning the games felt like a word from God that He hasn’t forgotten me, but his timing is not my timing. So, what do we do when God says wait?
Don’t Get Ahead of God
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14
When Sarah got impatient waiting on God to give her a son, she gave Abraham her maidservant Hagar to give her an heir, it caused all kinds of drama in the household, especially when Sarah finally gave birth to the son God has promised her. She tried to make it happen. We have to constantly resist the urge to make things happen on our time line. Only God can see the future, and only He knows the right timing to answer prayers. Every time I try to do things my way or the world’s way, I end up in a worse mess than I was before. We have to give it to God and let go, believing He will do what is best for us.
Do What You Can Do
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22
Waiting is not passive. God doesn’t us want to sit and twiddle our thumbs. He has assignments for us to do every day. We can be kind to others, show mercy, offer our help, and witness to others. Besides that, our prayer requests may require some work on our part. Sometimes we have to take a small step in faith before we see God move. There’s always something good that we can do even if it doesn’t seem to move our desires any closer. But when we do the things we can, it keeps our minds focused on God and our steps headed in the right direction. I can’t finish everything on my list because somethings rely on others or the money to accomplish it, but I can choose one project and focus on finishing it. Every time I finish a task I feel more energized to keep moving forward. This keeps me from wallowing in self-pity.
Praise Him for What He Will Do
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Psalm 150:1-2
If you really want to break out of the wallowing, start praising God for what He has done and will do. Praise Him for who he is. Write it in a journal, confess it to others, or just sing it out loud. Nothing will change your mood faster than praising God because it reminds us of His love and power and faithfulness.
So, if you are feeling forgotten or hopeless, remember:
- Resist the urge to get ahead of God
- Do something positive
- Praise the Lord.
Check out the link below for worship songs to help in the waiting:
When you described your projects in progress (cleaning out garage and needed home renovations), I thought, “Here is my kindred spirit.” I’m behind on a LOT of things and feel rushed in so many tasks. Your message is a much needed reminder for me to–Be patient and seek my Father’s guidance in getting all those tasks completed. Thank you!