When You’re Weary of Waiting on God

This past year has been difficult, to say the least. It has felt like a tsunami of problems slammed into my reality, and I was pulled out to the deep, struggling to keep my head above water. At times, I felt it would be easier to drown than try to stay afloat.  But what I’ve come to realize, is that God has never let go of me, even on those days when I’ve felt like waiting on Him to intervene was almost more frustrating than dealing with the circumstances at hand.

Sometimes it’s the waiting on God that helps us become strong enough in our faith to endure the wait at all.

This is what I gleaned from my precious friend Wendy Pope’s book recently, called Wait and See: Finding Peace in God’s Pauses and Plans. Her book came at the perfect time for me, and actually served as a sign that God was in deed intervening, just in different ways than I had asked for. I didn’t need to keep feeling like I was waiting for Him to do something, because behind the scenes of my life – scenes which I am not capable of seeing –  God was in deed doing things on my behalf.

In Chapter Four, Wendy’s words were a comfort to my heart when she acknowledged that not only do we all grow weary of waiting at times – especially during difficult times when we desperately want God to act and fix our problems and it seems He is silent – but that it is perfectly normal for us all to do so. And more importantly, God understands.

Just in case, like me, you are in a season of waiting on God to not only show you why you are enduring something hard, or what His plans are, or why doors aren’t opening, or why it seems He isn’t answering those gut wrenching prayers of which you’ve prayed for years, I wanted to share Wendy’s insight about what we tend to do when the wait is long and arduous and confusing and frustrating. Obstacles we tend to struggle with when we are honestly just tired of waiting on God to show us His plans, purpose or goodness – all of which are promised to us in scripture.

Wendy shares five obstacles most of us struggle with when we are forced to endure a long wait for what our heart desires most. And they are:

Obstacle 1: When we are weary of waiting on God – we waver.

In Wendy’s words, “When the wait is long or filled with obstacles, the temptation comes to bail out and stop following God.”  She explained how our wavering thoughts get in the way of us staying on the right path. One day we’re trying to trust God’s ways, and the next we’re wondering what the heck He is thinking. One day we feel confident and like we can get through this, then the next day we feel like God has abandoned us and we’ll never make it through. One day we are okay with where God has us, the next day our peace is stripped away because a new problem rages in. One day we love God and believe we are His beloved, the next day we wonder if He even sees or loves us at all. She encouraged me by saying, “Each day provides a myriad of opportunities to lean on God’s understanding than our own.”  I don’t want my wavering thoughts to steer me not only away from God, but away from the peace and joy He wants me to have even in the midst of difficulties.

Obstacle 2: When we are weary of waiting on God – we fear.

Those wavering thoughts eventually turn into fear, even though scripture constantly reminds us not to fear. Fear keeps us bound and fuels our doubts about God’s goodness and sovereignty. As Wendy says, we can always trust an unknown future to a known God every time, so fear is not necessary or helpful. I don’t want to let fear keep me from experiencing joy, even when my circumstances don’t feel joyful, while I’m waiting on God’s plan to come to fruition. Less fear gives way for more peace in the wait.

Obstacle 3: When we are weary of waiting on God – we lack confidence.

I can’t tell you how much my confidence has been shaken lately. Like Wendy, there was a season when I allowed doubt to dwarf my confidence. Some days I’ve had to fight the urge to focus on all my imperfections or shortcomings, rather than all the good things God created about me. Or fight the urge to focus on the hurtful words or actions other people said or did, and allow that to shape how I see myself and my worth, rather than seeing my worth and value through God’s eyes.  I don’t want my lack of confidence – shaken by the broken world we live in and the lost people in it – to bury so deep in my soul that it prevents me from having the confidence I need to stay strong in the Lord’s strength, and confident in who I am in the Lord.

Obstacle 4: When we are weary of waiting on God – we can become self-focused.

Focusing on our wants, needs and desires is one thing, but when we begin to focus not only on when God doesn’t meet those wants, needs, and desires, but when He meets other people’s needs and desires instead of ours, we will begin to feel jealous. We begin to think God isn’t fair. Why did they get a blessing, and I didn’t? Why did He answer their prayers, and not mine? We may not want to admit it, but we’ve all done it, no matter what “thing” it is we are asking God for.   I don’t want to let my focus on self become a hindrance in my faith walk, even when it seems God is more fair to someone else than He is to me.

Obstacle 5: When we are weary of waiting on God – we may struggle with unbelief.

When the Israelites made their exit from Egypt and escaped slavery, God knew they might change their mind and return to Egypt when they stumbled across some of these obstacles. He knew that unbelief would rear it’s ugly head and it did. In Wait and See, Wendy wrote this regarding the last obstacle of unbelief, which struck a chord in my heart, “They surveyed the long, dusty road ahead and allowed themselves to be overwhelmed by the impossibility of the situation rather than believing in the God of possibilities.”  I don’t want my unbelief to blind me to the God of possibilities, do you? Such a sweet reminder that anything is possible in Christ and with Christ, but it usually does require us to wait. Let’s not the let wait rob of us believing God for the impossible.

Waiting on God is hard. Waiting on answered prayers or blessings or glimpses of hope is hard. In fact, maybe even beyond hard. Trust me, friend, I know. But God is still God. His ways are not our ways, even when we can’t understand them. We have to trust He knows best, even when it comes to unanswered prayers, hurting hearts, disappointment and closed doors. And even when we have a long arduous wait before we catch even the tiniest glimpse of His plan to use our wait for good.

Are you struggling with any of these obstacles? It’s okay. That doesn’t make you a bad believer, it simply makes you normal, but don’t let it make you pull away from God. Instead, let the wait pull you closer. The closer we are to God, the more we can trust His ways instead of doubt them.

I don’t want to stumble over any of the obstacles of wavering thoughts, fear, lack of confidence, self focus, or unbelief, and I bet you don’t either. But if you are stumbling, as we all have, and feeling frustrated while waiting on God to intervene, then Wait and See might be the perfect book for you for such a time as this. Just like it was for me. So I hope you check it out for yourself.

Waiting well teaches us to trust His delays rather than doubt His ways.

Waiting on God isn’t wasting time, it’s training time. Keeping company with God is how we learn to wait well, fight our inner battles, and find rest.  

Things don’t always turn out the way we planned, but things always turn out as God planned

~Wendy Pope

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WaitandSeeEnter to a win a copy of Wait and See: Finding Peace in God’s Pauses and Plans

by Wendy Pope today!

 

To enter to win, leave a comment on my blog briefly sharing how God currently has you in a waiting season, and why this book might be the perfect words of encouragement you need to read in this season of wait.

 

 

 

 

17 Comments

  1. Patty Schultz on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 8:27 am

    I would love a chance to win this book. I’m in a waiting season right now. January will be 4 years since a spinal injection and March 4 years since back surgery. Everyday is a constant struggle of pain and discouragement. I try to keep my focus on the LORD but sometimes a gal just feels abandon. It’s like the rug was pulled out from under me and I’m left alone to deal with a life I didn’t plan at all. I was such an active person and now I have to depend on so many people to constantly help me. My husband is burning out too. I honestly spent the first 2 years so angry that I couldn’t even handle looking out the window to see others enjoying life. A life I too use to enjoy. Waiting for healing or plan is so hard when you can see beyond the pain you’re feeling now. I suppose the reason I would like to win this book is the hope that it will offer in the waiting. ♥



  2. Aimee on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 9:28 am

    I would love to read this book, as I spent 17 years in waiting and praying. My ex-husband was abusive and a drug addict and I lived in fear and regret. I finally gained the courage to leave and since leaving and the divorce, I have felt such a peace wash over me, and have been encouraged that all of those years of praying and waiting, God never turned His back on me. He never had me on mute, like I thought. He was preparing a different journey for me than what I thought, and it has been so much more than I ever imagined. The waiting on His timing vs my timing was worth every tear, every sleepless night, every heartache and all the pain.



  3. Nina Ruth on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 9:35 am

    I have desired to minister in the UK since I was a little girl, but every time it looked like that dream would become a reality, something happened to cancel the trip. I’ve been all over the world…but never to the UK.

    3 years ago, the Lord powerfully and dramatically resurrected the desire that I’d totally forgotten about. I was elated – certain that I’d soon be in England, realizing a life-long dream!

    And once again, not only did the seemingly open door slam shut, but I had to deal with the heartache and perplexity when that very door opened up for someone who has been very unkind towards me.

    So, of the five obstacles mentioned here, I can definitely especially relate to the struggle of seeing others getting blessed while I wait, and also just the unbelief that can start to harden the heart when the delay just goes on and on, seemingly with no purpose, and now seems impossible of fulfillment.

    I definitely could benefit from reading Wendy’s book!



  4. Ame on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 9:48 am

    All those obstacles you wrote about, I seem to be facing each one. I get so upset with myself knowing where my faith should be but I let the fears and worries take control as I am waiting. Perhaps I am letting so much of these “worries and doubts” occupy my time that I am not hearing God-is He waiting on me? I do need help in discovering how to wait and have peace while doing so-the insight from Wendy’s book would be a great help!



  5. Donna on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 10:13 am

    The points in this post are so true. I am waiting on God for a few things. I have struggled with looking at what I am seeing and not believing and I try to think of ways I can fix it. It is hard! REALLY HARD!! I know that God is faithful but waiting can be a scary place.



  6. Dori Sheese on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 10:13 am

    This book sounds very helpful! I don’t feel like I’m in a waiting season right now, but have been in the past, and I’m sure I will be in the future. Would love to have this book to “read ahead” and share with friends.



  7. Ellen Cole on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 10:22 am

    We’ve been moving this year, but not the sort of moving that means one day in one place…the next day in another. My husband took a promotion in another state in JUNE. My boss is retiring at the end of DECEMBER, so I was going to have to job hunt anyway…but don’t want to ditch my boss until he retires. So, my husband had corporate housing through August…we then moved him into our new home. We retained the house we’d been renting through September, so I stayed there. Since then, I’ve been here, there, and traveling for work in between. I need to job hunt…but don’t want anyone to offer me a job that requires me to move before the end of the year. I’m becoming desperate to settle! I’m tired of sleeping on an air bed and living out of suitcases and boxes. I’m anxious to see where God plans to put me for my next chapter. Waiting is hard.



  8. Shelly H. on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 10:35 am

    Hi Tracie,
    Oh my goodness… I could have been the author! It’s as though you stole my identity!! I am experiencing everything written. I have lost a well loved job of 20 years due to lies & revenge on my family. My household struggles due to a lost income. Unpaid hospital & children’s doctor bills keep accruing & have been turned over to collection agencies, credit card fraud of over $1500.00, a family member recently incarcerated, a marriage falling apart due to stress, just to mention a few . One day I feel that God is present & I feel a glimmer of hope, the next day I feel abandoned & left to deal with this nightmare alone. I have no one to confide in due to other’s judgment & lack of understanding & confidentiality. I believe at times, exiting this life is the only answer. Waiting on God seems futile at times because this has gone on for so long.
    I could definitely benefit from Wendy’s book. I feel someone who has experienced such challenges may have been sent by God to help me out of this valley of doubt & suffering. Perhaps God sent her to me so I may use this as a testimony to share with others. God’s timing is perfect, but I feel time is running out. Please pray for my family & me. Thank you Tracie for sharing your story, I know it has & will help others. I love your stories & how you humble yourself to help other women who share your pain. God bless!!



  9. DORICE on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    Wow. Why is it that when I’m struggling, I always come across something that fits my life at that moment? GOD. My 3 grandsons have been in foster care in another state since March of this year. We have been trying to get them and it seems it is one thing after another. One reason why we can’t get them. I have begged and pleaded with God, lost faith, stopped believing this would happen. I just want my boys out of foster.



  10. Tammy on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    I am in a waiting season and yes some days are longer and tougher than others. I continue to hold on to God and stand on His Promises!!!



  11. MW on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    I’m in the midst of some hard emotional work right now. I’ve had health issues since my divorce in 2004 and just recently started dealing with the unresolved emotions because it feels like they’re keeping me sick. In the midst of it all, it takes so much energy and effort and I’m continually exhausted in every way possible. I am blessed to have remarried a wonderful man 9 years ago, but due to unknown reasons we never had children (I wasn’t willing to go through infertility treatments). That is one thing that I have the hardest time surrendering. My life is so different than I imagined it would be. Definitely better in some ways, but I feel like there is so much unresolved and so much I’m waiting for. It gets overwhelming sometimes. I would love to read this book as it sounds like it would fit my life. God bless.



  12. Mary Ann Bell on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    Wow just the description of what you wrote about it, I need this book.
    I injured my foot in August. To the point I had to have surgery. I broke 2 bones, one on either side of the foot and dislocated the ankle. Which ended up with me getting a screw and an anchor in my foot. But in the beginning I was ok God has this. The longer it has gone on not so much. Doubt, fear, anger and disbelief started in.
    In a splint for two months finally got out and now my foot is at an angle that I can’t put the heel down. So still basically bed ridden. I go to PT and working on exercises to get it to move so I can get in the walking boot at least.
    But during this journey so far I have gone from God is in control to one day peace, joyful, and happy(Still working on being thankful). The next day where are you and why, why, why and with that it seems no answers. I feel like I am on a Rollercoaster. My journey is not over but today was better and I give God the thanks for not letting me go to far down that slippery slope downward. Even on the days I was mad at Him. (Why? He did not do this to me).



  13. Julie Sunne on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 5:57 pm

    God has had me in a waiting season for quite some time with my writing ministry. I’m learning to follow instead of run ahead.



  14. lc on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    I’m so sick and tired of waiting and embarrassed to admit I’m still in the dark pit of my so called life. It seems like the lesson is don’t trust God, and certainly no one else either. I’ve about given up hope I’ll experience joy again on this earth. When things continue to go from bad to worse, only more pain, rejection, and betrayal, 5 years is a very long time. Sorry for all the whining. That’s all I got anymore



  15. Kelly Bonner on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 10:26 pm

    I would love to win this book as I’m in a time of waiting to become pregnant with our second child. Getting pregnant with my daughter five years ago happened right away, but that doesn’t seem to be the case this time. I’m choosing to believe God’s timing is better than mine even when my human nature doesn’t always feel like it. He’s used this time to draw my husband & I closer & for that I’m thankful.



  16. Leighton on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    I don’t feel comfortable sharing my exact struggle, but I’m definitely in a waiting period right now. I’ve had some major life changes recently, and I’m waiting to see if everything will work out or if something bad is going to happen. I definitely have to work on trusting God during this time. Thank you for your blogs and books I enjoy reading them so much.



  17. Sandy on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 10:19 am

    Waiting…ugh, I hate waiting. But here I am…waiting. I’ve been in waiting for 12 years now, since the passing of my husband. Can’t have the old life. Can’t seem to make a comparable new life. Just the same old wake up, go to work, come home, eat, sleep and do it all over again. I am alone. I tried to remedy some of the loneliness by transferring to a new job location near my daughter and grandchildren. I packed up everything, sold my home and left behind my lifelong community. Turns out my daughter and I don’t spend as much time together as we’d planned. Her schedule is packed full and she is pretty stressed trying to meet the demands of this season in her life. I have made no new friends here and I confess, am jealous to see my friends back home posting to Facebook all the fun times they are having. To make matters even worse, somewhere along the way, the waiting became too much. Extremely discouraged, and feeling so very alone, I lost my faith in God. Where was He while I was struggling so hard to get from one day to the next? I had been faithful. I’d clung to Him with everything in me. He always came first in my life…always. I lost faith, and 6 years later I’m still trying to get it back. I want so much to have restored the intimate relationship I once had with my loving God. His word talks of a prodigal son who was lovingly welcomed back home with shouts of joy and wrapped in warm arms of embrace…a celebratory feast held in his honor. Surely a prodigal daughter would be welcomed back too. Still, I wait. I don’t need the party; just the welcome and the embrace. That’s why the title of this study caught my attention. In the first chapter, Dianna’s story of feeling “betrayed, helpless, abandoned and hopeless” struck a chord with me. I know now that God had not forsaken me. He just wanted me to trust in Him while I waited for His plan for my life to unfold. I wish I’d known this long ago.



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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