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Jan 26, 2022 08:00am

3 Ways to Wait

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It felt like one of “those” weekends. At every turn another text or call.

Your poppa’s sick, your nephew’s hurt, your Dad’s been in a car accident. Hours from home, I ached to be near my family. My mind raced for a way to fix things, or at least make them better. But the faster my thoughts ran the surer my steps became – there is no quick fix for these problems. We’ll just have to wait.

Wait for healing. Wait for answers. Wait for God’s plan to unfold.

Waiting, on its best days, strengthens, but on every other day it just plain stinks. Soas I busied my hands hoping it’d busy my brain as well, God showed me a few ways to wait. Some branches to bring forth peace while we wait for the Son to break through, and I want to share them with you.

1. Praise

While I laid out my laundry across the bed, I lifted my voice with a song. I didn’t know what else to do. My thoughts drifted to my grandparents’ house and I pictured my grandfather sick in bed. A tear ran down my cheek and a song burst forth from my heart, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul!” By the end of the song my voice cracked and tears flowed, but I believe my soul really did bless the Lord. And in turn, the Lord blessed me.

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Psalm 103:1 (KJV)

2. Pray

It almost felt like I’d take two steps then fall to my knees. All weekend long I fell down next to my bed or in the middle of the floor as fear and worst-case scenarios attacked my peace. When the load got too heavy (and it did a few times) I surrendered. I didn’t surrender myself to the burdens, but instead surrendered the burdens to my Savior. And each time He faithfully took them.

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

3. Pursue God

Amidst the chaos inside, I stilled my surroundings with obedience. I resumed my daily duties and did them as unto the Lord. Laundry to fold. Dishes to wash. Meals to cook. People to love. As I pursued His will one minute at a time, I drew closer to His presence and found His strength – in the little things, the ordinary ways of obedience.

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” Ephesians 6:7 (NIV)

We’re still waiting for God to give answers in some of these situations. And I’m still clinging to these three branches of peace in the uncertainty. So far, they’ve settled my soul and sustained me through the hours and days without answers.

I pray you find peace, too, if you’re in a time of waiting. But I’ve learned sometimes it won’t fall into your lap. Sometimes we have to pursue peace. And when we’re waiting, we have the time.

Are you waiting on something today? How has God sustained you?

If you’ve never surrendered everything, absolutely everything, to Him, you can know the peace that surpasses all human understanding by calling on Jesus to fill you with his presence, his strength, and his grace. He’s all you need in the hard times, and he’s already drawing you to himself.