September 25, 2017
When Waiting Feels Excruciating
Kelly Balarie
Today’s Truth
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:14, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Recently, I met with a friend. This friend’s been praying forever for things to change. To say she’s waiting is an understatement. She's been enduring and persevering for years. She's been gripping her dreams for what seems like forever. She's been fighting to act God-honoring, almost every day.
Her life feels like a hard-fought battle.
No doubt, she's wanted to give up, turn away from it all, lay in bed, dream a new dream, find an escape, indulge in chocolate and turn herself over to it. In many ways, I don't blame her; her situation is hard.
Yet, while she's lost days and emotions within the great abyss of frustration, I applaud her - she's pushed on.
So, with her wait on my mind, I can't help but ask God this question: God, why do you send us through waiting that feels - excruciating?
Three verses bring clarity:
1. "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV)
Our investment in waiting today, is deposited in heaven - for tomorrow. This eternal glory exceeds anything we could want in the here and now.
2. "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (Psalm 27:14, NIV)
We can choose to be strong, because, during times of wait, we have faith. Faith is activated when we remember: God is always at work (John 5:17, NIV), he won’t leave us and He loves us.
3. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2, NIV)
Just as a runner trains for a big race, so do trials train us for the most important race of our life. Trials give us the mindsets, the fortitude and the perseverance to tackle God’s greatest missions. They, although difficult in the moment, prepare us for wildly important kingdom work
Wherever you stand – or sit around waiting - today, know this: Your good God has good plans for you. He has not disowned you. He has not turned his back from you. He loves you and is near. He is working behind the scenes. Take heart and wait for the Lord.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I don’t have the future figured out, nor do I have my days mapped out. But, you do. You know it all and see it all. Help me to persevere in this place of wait. Help me to fall back into your arms that will catch me when I feel weary. Help me to remember you are growing my faith and developing qualities that will last forever. Help me to remember eternity.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Eternity is real. Your faith-filled wait is producing real rewards in heaven. What might it look like for you to shift from an earthly view to an eternal view today?
More from the Girlfriends
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