I admit it. I stink at waiting.
What does waiting feel like to you? It can bring out sadness or frustration. Maybe it makes you feel like God has forgotten that dream he poured over your heart.
I hear from God and I’m ready to do it yesterday. When it doesn’t happen, no matter how I’m feeling, I need to take a step back and remember this one thing:
Waiting isn’t wasted.
In fact, the finish line may not be the actual goal at all.
In today’s More Than Small Talk podcast, Holley, Jennifer, and I honestly share about those times when waiting felt like the hardest place to be.
Jennifer waited through a season of infertility. I waited when I felt like God had given me a message to share, but six years later all the doors were closed. Holley shared how her answer to a waiting prayer didn’t look anything like she thought it would.
If you are in a waiting season, I know it’s hard. I’ve been there too. You are not alone in that waiting place. There is comfort and clarity as we honestly talk about it with our Savior. These are the questions I ask in waiting seasons. Maybe they’ll be a great prayer starter for you too.
- Lord, is there a miracle you trying to perform right where I am?
- Will you help me to trust you with your timeline?
- Show me today’s assignment.
I don’t always hear the answers right away, but often find one thing he’s showing me that day. I find one thing that seems small, but it brings him joy. It takes my eyes off my timeline, my plan, and I start to see power of his work in the waiting season.
Are you in a waiting season? I’d love to pray with you. My prayer team would love to wrap around you.
Suzie
Related Resources
Listen to More Than Small Talk podcast.
While you’re there, we’d love for you to leave a review or share it with a friend. Today’s episode was Episode #19.
The resources mentioned in today’s podcast were:
- The Unburdened Heart by Suzanne Eller
- Hope Your Heart Needs by Holley Gerth
- Come With Me by Suzanne Eller
- Freedom by Jennifer Watson
Hello, This is my wording I use; Lord Is there a miracle in the works right here where I am? Thank you for giving me the patience for your timeline- I will Be Ready and open to receive my next assignment. In your precious name Amen.
Amen Annmarie!
I love that, Annmarie.
I am in a waiting season. In the wilderness waiting on the entrance to the promises He has given me while He refines me. I find I want the promises. I want to do as He has said I will.
For circumstances and reasons I can’t share, my husband, who was an elder and worship leader in our church, knew that God was asking him to step down last fall. Since that time, we’ve been visiting churches and praying for direction. In the fall, I was okay with the waiting. I knew God was giving us much needed time for resting and healing. But I kind of gave God a deadline. I felt that by the time spring rolled around we should have clear direction. It didn’t happen. I was frustrated. But as I sat on my couch last weekend journaling, I realized that God has a reason for this long hiatus from having a church we can call home. And I believe he is still giving us time to rest. So I have been making a conscious effort to be thankful for all of the evenings I have my hubby here by my side instead of at an elder meeting or a worship practice. We have an abundance of time together that we haven’t had in years. Waiting is hard, but it can be a beautiful time of rest too. God is good.
Oh, the beauty of rest!
I am so close to finishing my associates in Christian Studies, which I was inspired to do after reading your bio in 2016. I had read several of your books and look up to you as a godly woman to model. praying about it, I moved forward in going back to school.
In the beginning, I knew I wanted to be a Christian counselor with young ladies, but now I just want to be where God wants me. So much spiritual growth has happened since that time.
I have been a stay at home mom for over ten years and going back to work seems so foreign. Please pray for wisdom, clarity and patience as I wait for God tonipen doors that only He can.
Thank you Suzie and Gid bless you and your ministry!
Father, we thank you for Jessica and her obedience as she seeks you and leans into you. She wants to be where you want her. As Jessica waits for her next assignment, may she remember your plans for her are perfect and they are to prosper her, not to harm her. Thank you, Lord, for meeting us here today. Amen.
Praying with you as you take these steps. Cheering you on as you take these steps. I love your courage and your tenacity! Lord, give her what she needs. Equip her. Anoint her. In Jesus’ name.
I am in a holding pattern asking God what to do next I feel so confused and alone my dear sweet dog that was so good to us died last week in I’m just in grief
Mary, I love that Jesus weeps with us. Praying with you today for direction, comfort, and His presence close to you.
I really enjoy the more than small talk podcast and especially this episode. The revelation about the clarification about lamb leg break. In January I slipped and fell on the ice during that Polar Vortex and fractured my (leg) tibula. The treatment for healing is to rest it (for months) which means only walk as necessary. One of my stress reliever strategies is to go for long walks or jog 5Ks so this has definitely put the brakes on my life. I don;’t know what our Lord is trying to get across to me but I am resting into Him as much as possible.