What To Do When God Says Wait...

Oh man… This post hits closer to home because I am currently waiting… Waiting on God to give me instructions on my next move, waiting on God to fulfill my calling, waiting on God to reveal my purpose, waiting on God to answer some important prayers, waiting on God… just waiting. I think the part about waiting that really sucks for me is not knowing when the actual wait will be over. I like to be able to control the important variables of a plan and when you’re waiting on God to fulfill the promises that He has for you, sometimes the wait can be a few days, months, years or a decade. It just depends on how your purpose aligns with His lessons.

So what do you do when you’re waiting on God to do His part?

1. PRAY

   Cliche, I know but in my many years of waiting I have learned that prayer keeps you focused, positive and in the presence of God. Have you ever been in the presence of someone that genuinely loves you? I mean they fawn over you and just stare at you in awe. Being in the presence of God is the same feeling. He loves us dearly and when you spend time with Him in prayer, you not only feel the love of Christ but you are also on His mind. Being in prayer also trains your spirit to be able to know the voice of God and the Holy Spirit. When you’re around someone long enough, you begin to recognize their voice over anyone else’s. Prayer allows you to connect with God on a new level and become familiar with His communication style.

2. JOURNAL

   I am the QUEEN of journaling. I journal because it allows me to have a piece of the past in the present. I am also a photographer and I take my camera everywhere to capture moments that I can reflect on later. Journaling during your wait allows you to channel your feelings. You are able to really describe your emotions, write down your desires, solicit your prayers to God and document key moments during your journey. This matters because when you finally reach the end of your waiting period and you enter another waiting period, you have something to look back on that can remind you of your growth. People sometimes think that as Christians we don’t repeat cycles or waiting periods. God isn’t a fairy, He doesn’t grant wishes every time you clap your hands together and ask Him to grant the desires of your heart. Sometimes He allows you to experience waiting so you can learn a lesson, re-learn a lesson, or grow you in that particular season of waiting. Journaling helps you remember your strength and how far you’ve come in each season of waiting.

3. DETOX

   When you’re in a season of waiting, you sometimes find yourself in the midst of negativity. I have learned that when you are trying to reach a goal, change to be better or really trying to connect with God on a new level that being in the midst of positive energy is important. It’s crucial that you detox yourself from people or energies that are not where you want to be after your waiting journey. When you’re on a road trip and you need to refill your gas tank, don’t you empty the trash in your car at the gas station? During this journey, you have to do the same thing. In order to get to your purpose, you have to dump (detox) the trash at the refuel stations and keep going. In this season of waiting, I have let go of family, friends, business relationships, tendencies, energies and character flaws. You can’t bring negative baggage into your purpose.

4. READ

   Read devotionals, read your Bible, read an inspirational book. Read anything that will keep you in a positive headspace. When you are actively trying to pursue the promises that God has for you, the enemy will come in and attack you in your waiting seasons. He sees what you are trying to change and he tempts you in that area. But keep in mind… God tests you also. How do I know when God is testing me or if the devil is tempting me? God’s tests are made to strengthen you not break you. The enemy’s tests are meant to steal, kill and destroy your joy, peace of mind, purpose, and relationship with God.
   Let me put it into a real world example:
   My husband and I have been going through a lot of family turmoil. Close relationships that we once had with family members are dead or strained. We have been hurt tremendously by the actions, words, and behaviors of family members that will probably never see their actions, words and behaviors as hurtful or toxic. In the midst of our detox waiting season, our marriage has become a lot stronger. We have learned to depend on each other, communicate with each other and encourage each other when we are at our lowest. The turmoil with our families is unfortunate but in the process, it allowed our marriage to strengthen. This is a test of faith from God.
   My goal in this waiting journey has been to get closer to God and know His voice. I have never sought after God for myself and I depended on my Mom to carry my spiritual relationship with God. Being a Mom and wife has caused me to have a desire to establish a relationship with God because I don’t want to enter a spiritual war unarmed, defenseless and waiting on Mommy to rescue me and my Tribe when I am equipped to fight on my own. When I was pregnant with my daughter I made it my mission to chase God until I knew Him (still chasing, still learning). During my journey the enemy has been in my ear discouraging me about my growth, attacking my stress and anxiety, coming for my peace of mind and so many other things to keep me from going to a deeper level with God. Tests would come and my anxiety and frustration would arise and rather than pray some more, the devil allowed me to begin to doubt God. Sometimes the enemy will come to you in ways that make you feel like you are losing your mind or even that you’re on the wrong path. He will make you second-guess everything you’ve believed about God in the most subtle ways. This is a detour to get you off your journey of purpose.

The concept of waiting is a daily practice that we have to constantly practice in order to succeed in our journey to purpose. My son reminds me of how emotional waiting can be. He throws a crying fit every time I tell him wait. And every time I remind him that Mommy didn’t say no, Mommy just said wait. So I am extending that same nugget to you.

God didn’t say NO, he said WAIT. Don’t allow the enemy to detour you from the journey to your purpose. You are stronger than that, you are build better than that and you have TOO much to offer to the world to stop now. You got this love!