The next time you find yourself in God’s waiting room through a personal loss, an unexpected difficulty, a severe test, or a “wilderness” time, when you desperately need answers but can’t seem to find them, get alone in a quiet place and ask God these questions:
- Lord, is there something you want to show me about Your character through this?
- How can I love you more deeply and become more like You in this process?
- How can I bring You glory in this situation?
- Is there anything that needs changing in my life or anything you want to teach me?
- How can you use this experience to help someone else?
Five Questions Not To Ask When You’re in God’s Waiting Room
- How long will I be in the waiting room? (God has His own timetable).
- Will You please be with me through this process? The answer is always yes. Because God has promised His children–those who know and love Him–that He will be with us always. That’s why He sent His Holy Spirit to live in us. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NLT). As someone so wisely told me, “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”
- Why me? (The question is, Why not me?) As long as we live in an imperfect, fallen world, we will experience both good and bad.
- What did I do to deserve this? (What did we do not to deserve it?) On one hand, some horrible things happen in this life that no one should have to experience. And God is always at our side to bring comfort. On the other hand, we are not deserving of anything good and can never “earn” God’s favor. It’s only by God’s grace through faith–Jesus’ death and resurrection–that we are made acceptable to Him. And God acts in our best interest, always. He is never “out to get us.” (See Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Do You really care? (Yes, He does. No need to ask). “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7, NIV).
Since the beginning of time, long before we were born, God designed a blueprint for our lives. And “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NIV), (author’s emphasis in bold). God will not abandon you or His good work in you!
God Knows Our Humanity
Not only does God bless us, but He also disciplines or trains the ones He loves. He allows testing to come our way to ultimately shape us and make us more like Him. But in the midst of grief and anxiety, our emotions are susceptible to inaccurate reasoning. God knows our humanity and is not surprised by our emotions. And He gives us ample time to “heal.”
When you’re in God’s waiting room, don’t be discouraged if you see no hope in sight. Be gentle with yourself, and be open to God’s voice. In time, asking the right questions helps put us in a position to see, to learn, and to depend more deeply on the One who loves us so.
Will You Trust the Father’s Heart in God’s Waiting Room?
Jesus displayed emotions. He grieved. Jesus hurt. And He wept. But He knew and trusted His Father’s heart, even when God said, “No” to his request. (See Luke 22:42). Will you?
“Weeping may stay for the night; but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NIV).
An Affirming Prayer
Jesus, no matter how long it takes, I want you to be honored and glorified in every situation of my life. I know you plan to bring good out of bad. Help me to cooperate with you. I am willing to wait on You and with You. Teach me more about You in the process.
Day-votedly Yours,
Rebecca
It’s Your Turn
What has brought you to God’s waiting room? What lessons have you learned there in the past? What do you want God to teach you while you are in God’s waiting room there? I’d love to hear from you anytime. You can always write me through my contact page. Just fill out the basic name and address info, and then the e-mail will come to me. Your name or info will never be shared with anyone without your permission.
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