When You’re Waiting for God’s Answers
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. – Psalm 27:14
Do you ever feel the frustration of not being sure what to do next? I’m not necessarily talking about the seasons when there are several wide open doors and you just don’t know which to walk through. Though that can be tough too. But I’m speaking specifically of a moment in time when you feel like you’re walking down a long corridor of countless seemingly shut doors and have zero clarity which to approach and knock on first.
I’m actually sensing this in so many areas of my life right now. I’ve been praying for God to show me the way, to lead me to his best and give me the strength and confidence to take the right bold steps. But the answers don’t seem to be coming. Or maybe I’m just missing or can’t hear them. Though, I promise I’m spending dedicated time in stillness and prayer.
Does God sometimes seem somewhat quiet to you too? Times when you struggle to sense a specific steering toward a certain step of progress? It really can be frustrating, I know. But it doesn’t surprise me personally. My tendency to become impatient while waiting for answers that is. And I think the patience part is the key. A potential lesson the Lord wants me, and maybe you too, to learn. We know God has all the answers. And that he is always working on something great. But many times the hard part to accept, is that his process and the revealing of his provision takes time. And so we have to wait. I believe he wants us to continually pause, place our trust in him, and then be patient for his answers. I believe he wants us to be still while we wait on him. Knowing he has something perfect in the works. The bible tells us this.
And whether we’re waiting for assurance on a new position to take at work, a shift in volunteer roles at church, or a new undertaking at home. Or we have a health or financial decision to make that seems risky or daunting. Or something smaller like needing help handling simple plans in our current schedule. Sometimes when we ask God for guidance, wisdom, and discernment he wants us to wait after we ask him. To trust that there is purpose in the pause. And to keep coming to and communing with him, until we finally feel a nudge to move.
I know sometimes situations demand a quicker response, at which times we really need to remember that if we are in him we can trust he’ll use whatever choice we make to work into his good plan and purpose. But many times—and this is where I am right now—we just need to be still. We need to sit a little longer with him, keep leaning on and growing in trust of him and his answers to come, until he stirs up a peaceful conviction through subtle whispers to our soul.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Right now, maybe like me you just need to pause. You need to close your eyes and reshare your requests for guidance and discernment. And then simply soak in the love and stillness of the Lord. Reflecting on the truth of his perfect provision, and praising him for his perfect timing that he will soon enough reveal to you, his beloved.
Our good God most certainly does have all the answers. And even if his reply does delay simply because he knows your mind, heart, and body need to slow down and find rest for your weary soul—He is working. He will guide and direct you exactly where he wants you. And you can trust that it will be for your good.
Ask, pause, and patiently wait for the Lord. He is listening, and he is faithful to answer.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/EmirMemedovski
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