How God Will Give You Everything You Need While You Wait
Rev loved roller coaster rides.
As a child, he says he couldn’t wait for his family’s annual trip to a local amusement park. And his love for riding roller coasters continued with our children. I’m so glad he could enjoy them with the kids because well . . . let’s just say they aren’t my favorite.
There is one thing about those rides that Rev has never liked. Although he loves riding roller coasters, he absolutely hates waiting in line . . . especially when waiting included extra impatient little ones.
The average roller coaster ride lasts 2 or 3 minutes traveling at speeds of over 100 mph. Waiting in line for a roller coaster ride can last 30 minutes or more. Wow, think about it! A 2-minute ride after a long long wait.
Like children, we want the rush of the ride but the wait . . . not so much!
I wonder if my attitude about prayer can be like that. Do I impatiently want the thrill of quickly answered prayers or “home run” results in ministry? Maybe you can be like that too.
The truth is . . . answers to prayer and success often come after long waits.
After spending some time talking to God about my attitude, I’ve been gently reminded by His Spirit of the many times spiritual growth has happened while I waited.
I love the spiritual highs but I’ve grown the most during those times of waiting.
It has been in the waiting where I’ve experienced God’s grace and power and learned to focus on Jesus?
It has been in the waiting that I’ve spent the most time in prayer, studying His Word, singing His praise, and letting Him prepare me for the ride ahead . . . a ride that typically includes peaks and valleys.
The Prophet Isaiah wrote…
Have you never heard?
Isaiah 40:28:31
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
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.
God created you. He sees you and understands what you are going through. And He is with you while you wait.
He is able to give you power and strength while you wait . . . through the difficult days and long nights. Even when you are weak and tired . . . He promises to give you everything you need.
Yes, there will be days of soaring ahead but until then, He will help you walk and run . . . He will help you keep moving forward along this path.
I picture myself waiting in a long line, barely moving, and unable to even see the destination.
But then…
I can see it! The promise is there right in front of me and I’m so excited. I’m ready to soar. And I look beside me and realize that my Heavenly Father has been with me the whole time.
A Prayer Asking God for Power
and Strength While You Wait
Father, it feels like things are at a stand-still barely moving forward at all. I’m not doing a very good job of waiting. Yet, as I wait, I can’t help but wonder if this waiting isn’t part of Your plan for me. How often do I come to You in prayer with wants and needs longing for immediate answers with positive outcomes? How quickly do I grow childishly impatient rather than simply trusting Your timing?
Lord, I ask that You will hold me and guide me . . . make me mindful of Your promises that I might grow in faith and trust Your will for me. Help me remember Your promise to never leave me (Hebrews 13:5), to hold me (Isaiah 41:10), to give me everything I need (Luke 12:31), to help me walk, run, and soar in Your timing (Isaiah 40:31).
I trust You to give me Your perfect peace while I wait (Isaiah 26:3). I trust that You will guide me and show me the way to go (Psalm 32:8). I trust that You are leading me to a beautiful future (Jeremiah 29:11). I trust that for You absolutely everything is possible.
I love You, my Creator, Savior, and Spirit of Life. Please strengthen me and help me keep my eyes on You through this season of waiting because I believe that as I SEEK You, You will give me everything I need. Amen.
Friend, the next time you are stuck in traffic, tapping your foot in a waiting room, or standing in a line that just won’t move . . . take a breath and say a prayer. Thank God for giving you the power and strength you need today and that You can trust Him to do so again tomorrow.
Tell us how we can pray for you while you wait.
I’m asking God to be with you and bless you today, tomorrow, and all the days ahead.
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These words added another perspective to what was being shown to me – thank you Deb! In Scripture, I was at 1 Samuel 2 where Eli was told his sons were going to be dealt with severely. The delay was a gift – giving them time to repent. My recent focus has been on what a tremendously precious treasure the Shed Blood of Jesus is. This highlights that it is not always about me. God works at His own pace, in His own way, for His own purposes. I am simply a vessel for His use. If I sit on the shelf for long periods – I can wait with excited anticipation and keep myself ‘dusted off’ ready to be used if needed.
Amen, Nann. Your words reminded me of Peter’s second letter – “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:9
What amazing grace, mercy, and love. God bless you!
It is so many times in the waiting that God’s presence can be felt. May He grant us the patience to simply sit still, pray and listen.
Blessings, Deb!
Amen, Martha! God has often used times of waiting to pull me close and help me trust and rely on Him more. Blessings hugs, friend!
Waiting has never been my strong suit, but I’m learning to rest in God’s perfect timing. Thank you for this encouragement!
Thank you, Dawn! Blessings and hugs!
This post was what I needed to read. I have been praying for our children who are struggling with infertility. It’s so hard to see their broken hearts. I pray God’s plan for them with be the greatest blessing of becoming parents.
My husband and I struggled with secondary infertility and it is a painful journey. I’m lifting up your children and asking the Lord to hold them close and bless them with the gift of a child. God be with you and bless you all.
I’ve been praying for my husband’s healing for 4 years.
There is no medical help, nothing humanly possibly to heal him, or even just to give him a little break. During this time, I went through the usual ups and downs, doubts then faith rebounds. Several months ago, I had to call the ambulance in the dead of night and I could only scream to the Lord that You promised not to leave us, You promised. Recently, the beginning of the next chapter in my daily reading started with the passage in Isaiah – call out to the heart of Jerusalem, and let it known that its suffering is ended, and it sins are forgiven…
My heart and soul jumped in joy that the Lord answered my prayer. Shortly after in the day, my husband’s condition turned bad again. There, I had the promise that the Lord heard me…..but there was also, just not yet….. So now, I remind myself that God responded to my prayer, and now comes my turn – can I wait out His timing with a thankful heart, in peace and hope?
I’m one of those believers who like the postcard kitty holding on to the branch by all 10 nails with the sign above it – hang on. While people generally find it cute, including me, somehow I see Jesus’ sad eyes looking at me saying – oh, you little faith….
Waiting never have been my virtue and ALWAYS got me out of step with God. Not even realizing, I pushed Him aside and declared that leave it to me, I’ll take care of it, I know it better.
Now, there is no “better”. I have THE BEST. But while in the waiting room, He also shapes, strenghtens, grows and deepens my faith and relationship with Him. I have a feeling that at the end, not only my husband but my sould will be healed as well.
What a beautiful testimony of your faith, Gaby. Thank you so much for this – it is an encouragement to all of us. God bless you, my friend!