To be in God's waiting room

Even in times of frustration and waiting, God is still thinking about you and working everything out for your good and His glory

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Waiting room - at doctors/hospitals, waiting in shopping queues, waiting in traffic holdups. The bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 "to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted".

So, no matter how hard we pray we can't pray our life's seasons away. There are some situations we aren't meant to change, but will survive. (Isaiah 43:2) "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you".

Again as stated by Paul in his letter of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart, even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal". So it just may be, not so much when we can't alter our circumstances, but we must learn to grow through them.

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In winter trees take advantage of the season to rebuild their strength and prepare to be more fruitful next season. Their sap and substance goes underground, then in the spring they push their way back up again in the form of new growth. Looking back over our life we'll find that our achievements are seasonal. Growth comes, then struggle and vice versa. Each season has it's purpose. God has a reason/season for not wanting you to be proactive all the time. When He permits winter winds to blow through our life, He is preparing us to be productive for the coming spring. James 1:2-4 "My brethren count it all joy, when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience but let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing". So don't try to get out of anything prematurely, but let it do it's work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way. 

One of the issues we struggle with in a waiting period, is the urge to hurry. To make premature/permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. Don't do it.  Every situation doesn't call for an immediate action. Remember, patience comes from trust, and you can't trust a God you don't know, that's why you need to spend more time getting acquainted with Him through reading His word and praying.  

If you're a seasoned air traveller, chances are you may or may not be familiar with the term 'holding pattern'. That's when your plane is unable to land because of unfavourable ground conditions, and the pilot announces that he's been told to maintain a 'holding pattern' pending an update from the control tower. It happens regularly, so planes have to carry enough fuel to stay airbourne till they can land safely. The bible says "Wait for the Lord, be strong let your heart take courage" (Isaiah 40:31). When God puts us in a 'holding pattern' it's not just a question of having enough belief to receive His promise, it's also a matter of having enough faith (fuel) to stay airborne until it comes to pass. That's why we need faith, to handle delays and wait for clearance. The bible refers to the Holy Spirit as a rushing mighty wind. Acts 2:2 "and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and filled the whole house where they were waiting". In Genesis 8:1 after God had delayed Noah long enough to accomplish His purpose, he sent a wind. Anytime a wind comes from the presence of God, it blows away all hindrances and obstacles, it dries the ground under our feet so we can move ahead, it demolishes the spirit of fear and heaviness that makes us want to quit.

David asked God, "What is man that you are mindful of him?" Psalm 8:4. Even in times of frustration and waiting, God is still thinking about you and working everything out for your good and His glory. His delays aren't denials, so when you sense a divine breeze in your spirit, rejoice it's a sign that He (God) is clearing you to land and good things are about to happen.

So be blessed, be encouraged and wait on the Lord.

Author: Herbert Jean

May God bless and enrich your life

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