By: Ginger Hughes
Have you ever been in a season of “waiting?”
I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s not much fun. Waiting can lend itself to uncertainty, anxiety, and even fear at times. Waiting allows my mind to conjure up all manner of possibilities and scenarios, things that “could” happen despite the likelihood they won’t.
Waiting is challenging,
At times, we are waiting for a diagnosis or prognosis. Perhaps we’re waiting to hear if our job will be the one that’s cut. Sometimes we’re waiting to see the outcome of a particular problem or challenge within our families. Other times, we are waiting on good things such as getting married, having a baby, or retiring from our career, but even then, the wait is often fraught with emotion, not all of it good.
Perhaps one of the toughest things to wait for is an answer to prayer. Countless times through the years, I’ve prayed, asking God for wisdom, help, or direction in certain life circumstances. And then I waited to hear the answer. And while I certainly don’t mind presenting my pleas several times, it doesn’t take me long before I’m asking, “Do you hear me, God? Are you listening?”
You see, when I pray, I want to hear God speak. And honestly, I want Him to speak quickly. Often, I want God to act as expeditiously as my computer, answering questions as soon as I can type them and press “enter.” But we all know God doesn’t work this way. He doesn’t work according to our timetables. However, it’s important to realize that though God doesn’t work according to our timetable; He does still work.
God’s silence is not equivalent to God’s absence.
God’s “seemingly delayed” response is not equivalent to apathy towards our request.
God is always at work in your life and mine. He hears every prayer. And God’s answer is always worth the wait. Though we will never know all the reasons we may be called to wait, we can trust God knowing that His plans are good. We can find comfort in remembering God’s steadfast love for us. If we believe in His love and trust in His goodness, we can enter the season of waiting with confidence.
Psalm 40:1-3 “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.”
-Ginger Hughes is the wife of a pastor, a mother of two and an accountant. She is a Georgia native currently living in the foothills of North Carolina. Her passion for writing is fueled by the desire to offer encouragement, grace and a deeper understanding that we are all God’s children. Her blogging for Nurturing Faith is sponsored by a gift from First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Ga. Additional writings may be found at nomamasperfect.com.
