When you’re waiting for God to answer, where do you keep your focus? How do you wait patiently for Him to answer? How do you trust Him in the process? The waiting game is never easy whether you’re waiting for an answer to come or for pain to end or a door to open.
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There are those memories that are seared into your mind and into your heart forever. Like a wedding day, or the birth of your first child. Maybe your first day of school. Some memories are not so cheery, but equally difficult to forget.
I’ll never forget the day. And I do mean all day. My husband had been diagnosed with a very rare form of abdominal cancer. We had been told to get our affairs in order because he very likely only had a couple of years to live. The prescribed treatment to prolong his life was a very invasive surgery, but even that ran a one in four chance of mortality on the operating table.
The day he had surgery was long…It was a 23-hour surgery, all the while not knowing if he would make it out of surgery. My parents flew in from out of state to sit with me during the day, and care for our child during the evening hours. Friends rotated through the surgical waiting room with well wishes and prayers, while we waited for answers. Answers that seemed to take forever in coming.
How do you wait patiently for God?
But that’s much like being in God’s waiting room. Have you ever been there?
Where you pray, yet the answer doesn’t seem to come?
You cry out for relief, but the pain continues without end?
You ask God to open a door and make a way, yet all you see are dead ends?
The waiting is never easy.
But the question always comes back to where will we keep our focus, and in whom will we put our trust?
If we will keep our trust in God, and remember that He is always faithful, the times of waiting won’t be so hard. In His word, He promises that those who put their trust in Him will NOT be disappointed (Romans 10:11 NAS).
Why does God wait so long to answer prayers?
And yet, we always seem to want to know “Why?”
Why doesn’t God answer more quickly?
Why do we have to wait?
Why does there have to be so much suffering in the process?
And yet, sometimes, I wonder if there might be a different way to look at the situation…
If we know that God can be trusted, and his faithfulness is never in question, might it be possible that in the waiting, our own hearts are tested? In the waiting, we see if We can be trusted to be faithful to Him?
Will we remain steadfast…
…Until the answer comes?
…Until the pain ends?
…Until He opens the door?
Will we continue to pray fervently and seek His face?
Maybe like with David, we have an opportunity to show God:
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
And in His word I do hope.” (Psalm 130:5)
Have you ever been in a waiting season with God? How were you able to trust Him through it? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. You just might encourage someone else while they are in a waiting season of their own right now.
Because of Him,
#HopePrevails!
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I have experienced numerous times of “waiting” for God’s answers. One of the times was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. I prayed and friends and family prayed. I wondered why this cancer happened to me. So many questions. God heard the prayers and His answer was that I would get through the diagnosis and all the treatments and all of the lasting after affects of the treatment. God is always listening. He is waiting for us to call out to HIm. I am thankful that He heard my prayers. His answer is not always what we want or expect, but, He is always listening.
Abused, Abandoned, and left Destitute by my husband, my hero, a war wounded veteran who is choosing to refuse treatment and to believe the lies of the enemy. I’m not so sure my story can help anyone however I’m sharing here because I do believe in the good news that comes from believing in Jesus Christ my Savior, Son of God my Father in Heaven. I am in the waiting room for the answers, for the advancement of His Kingdom. While I’m waiting it is not easy to get caught up in despair and tied up by my feelings of helplessness and rejection, but God, He is good and He reminds me that in the waiting He is working. Recently I had the opportunity to study the history between the Old and New Testaments (The Intertestamental period) often referred to as the silent years. Looking back, now we are blessed to see God was still working at this time, I know God is still the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow, I trust God is working in my silent years also. Making preparations for better tomorrows because I Love Him, and He is faithful and my hope is in Him.
God changes the hearts and minds of many everyday, I will continue to pray, and not give in to despair, give thanks for the good Lord will never leave you or me alone in the battles. Remembering how victory was won at Calvary, Jesus paid it all. God’s Promises are for all of us who choose to believe – Blessings to you and yours #HopePrevails!
I hope that your husband is doing better. I am waiting on several answers from God. My sister and I had a falling out. Even though I apologized she said that she doesn’t forgive me. I call her and she either calls back or I have to call again and again. What shoul I do? I keep praying about it. I don’t know whether I should let her go or just keep on trying. Funny thing, we grew up with so much vitriol in our childhood. Please give me your thoughts. I’m just at the point of being hopeless.
Paulette
I can recall several waiting rooms through the years. All of them God has used in some part of my life. Mostly to grow my trust in Him that even though the waiting room seems empty, He is always there with me.
Waiting is so hard. But you’re right. Those who trust in God will not be disappointed. There is so much we can learn during those difficult times of waiting. Thank you for your encouraging words. I’m your neighbor today at Moments of Hope!
Oh the waiting! I’m in the waiting room right now. Not the actual one (medical) although I’ve been there too. I’m in the waiting room regarding moving, housing, kids, etc. Everything. I truly do believe we are being tested and I truly do believe that God will come through. But the waiting…oh the waiting!
Yes! Love this! Waiting is so hard… But trusting God though it is the only way to go! Beautiful and encouraging words, my friend! xo
Michelle I am in that waiting room now. Thank you for these precious words today that I need to share with a family member. Love you.
I’ve been in what seems like a permanent season of waiting. I’ve been waiting more than four years see the fruits of my labor of the work GOD called me to do and to fulfill my destiny. I waited seven years for my estranged daughter to come home. I waited four years for my ridiculously unhappy marriage to end. I have felt like I was in Potiphar’s Prison, but it was there that GOD taught Joseph how to administrate a large institute, so he could administrate and entire empire. I like what David Jeremiah said. “Next to suffering waiting is GOD greatest tool for building and teaching His servants.”
Waiting is hard. I’m in a hallway these days, waiting…
Just wanted to say Hi, visiting from #livefreeThursday at Suzie Eller’s. Blessings & peace to you.
Any waiting room is a difficult place to be. In God’s waiting room, though, we can be reassured that He is a God that is bigger than anything that may happen there. Somehow, someway it will be okay. Thank you for sharing at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Michelle, what an open, honest, transparent post…praying that your husband’s outcome is good…I love this translation of Habakkuk 2:3 from The Living Bible “But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”
…especially the words, “slowly, steadily, surely…” many blessings to you and your sweet family!
I recently have been there with God. I actually shared my post this week about my cancer journey. My one prayer to God was that I would remain steadfast through it and to trust him for the outcome. Yes, when we trust God we will never be disappointed. Really, I came to a place of believing what I believe. I know that sounds simple but if we believe in God’s word then when the hard times come we can for sure believe his promises. My heart was there, believing his promises. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I pray that your husband is well. I love the scriptures you chose. Blessings to you!
I am in a waiting room. Not in a doctor’s office. Not with a diagnosis. But the waiting is after a door closed—of what I thought was God’s calling. I’m waiting for the next chapter to begin, for hearts to heal and for clear, next-steps direction.
I’m waiting believing in God’s faithfulness and His love for us, but I wrestle with impatience too.
Thank you for your words of encouragement and sharing your story.
–Cheryl
Visiting from fmf
Thank you so much for sharing at #HomeMattersParty this week.
Over a year and a half has passed since I last posted, and still, nothing. I did get my estranged daughter back after seven years, but then lost my son to the same fate. My husband is still my estranged husband, no divorce, no progress, if anything, more resentment on my part. He doesn’t live at home, he wants nothing to do with reconciliation. I was put “in the gap” for someone more than two years ago. I’ve prayed diligently, no progress. I even quit my job to stay home for my children and be more available to them. So, I study the Word ALL day, I pray ALL day, and I cry ALL day. I write blogs, I’ve written seven books, I’ve given my ALL to GOD to try and fulfill that which He called me to, and NOTHING. If anything, I’m worse off, because I’m so lonely without a single friend. I just don’t know what to do. I hope and hope and hope, and daily, I’m disappointed because there is no progress on any point. I pray and pray and pray, and when I think I have an answer from GOD, it turns out to be either “nothing, or not yet.” I’ve “seen” the future, but it’s as if the future is NEVER going to come. I cry so much, I’m a mess, and yet, I cannot get GOD to answer me or help me. I’m so lost. I took down ALL my social media and my blogs and have disappeared for the most part and no one seems to notice that I’m gone. It’s as if I don’t exist at all, except to my children who “need” what I can do for them. I don’t understand.
In the name of Jesus Christ, a suddenly will take place in your life. By the power of the powerful Holy Spirit May he move in every area of your life right now in the name of Jesus. I speak death to all attacks on your promise I speak death to every area the enemy has withheld and attacked your future in faith. In the name of Jesus we send the powers of darkness straight to hell in his chains. May heavenly angels come to you for ur journey and guide you with the anointing God has for you to live an abundance of joy peace and love in this life May this life turn completely around for you in Jesus name! God is with you and God bless you. look to the hills from which COMETH your help! 🙏🏽💝
Several years ago I was in a waiting season with my hubby for his healing from two very serious surgeries and health situations. It was months until his strength and health returned to somewhat normal but in those first days and weeks, I experienced a consuming peace that can only be from the Lord as I trusted Him for my hubby’s daily healing, strength, appetite, peace, and joy. We had some troubling moments in those days but we continued to believe that he would heal and be able to function as normal. One day at a time sweet Jesus is the song that daily came to my mind as I cared for him, praying and believing what the Lord had told me and promised me in His Word. We have also been in a waiting season for what the Lord has told us will happen with our ministry and our personal lives. I had to just hang on to what I knew to be true from God’s Word no matter what I could not see with my human eyes. I guess that is truly faith. Believing when you can’t see it in process. Love this message so much, Dr. Michelle! Thank you for your encouragement.
Anyone develop ptsd or trauma in the waiting and their faith and anything spiritual went downhill instead of the opposite.
Jo, you’re describing my experience. I was in the waiting room for a long time when I then experienced a traumatic illness that resulted in two life altering surgeries, five months of bedrest, I was kept alive on IV hydration and nutrition, dwindled from 113 pounds down to a skeletal 74. My faith plummeted. It was so hard. Beyond hard. That was 10 years ago. I can tell you God redeemed it all. I detail all this and more in my books “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” and “Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises”
I look 70 lbs now, been told it’s too risky for iv or any surgery, can barley eat due to gi not putting out waste so im building up, chronically ill before this and each day of this has been filled with traumatic debilitating scary symptoms, mainly bedridden since early 2021, theres nothing left of me, i went thru abuse loss grief illness spouse betrayed and left me in the middle of this though he married me sick, its been wave after wave of things starting with a dr injury almost 10 yrs ago at age 33, now 42, i never got to understand or know jesus or god before it got hard, my heart over time has gotten bitter and hard, confused, angry, sad, the suffering of starving, a gut full of waste that im afraid is going to rupture, a body that rejects medicine and intervention and being in fight or flight, adrenaline surging almost non stop with little to no support has taken a toll, my journey has been long and hard with no light or hope currently, life has been taken from me, i just want to be able to eat and go to the bathroom, see my son again, be able to breathe, sleep, be outside, simple basic things, i had a severe medication reaction that really messed me up mentally along the way, i react to everything now, its scary living in a body where everything is a dangerous threat; brain is stuck in a trauma loop, i dont know how to trust find know jesus or god like this, i fear i wont be here much longer at the rate ive declined, its just not how our bodies were designed to survive, i fear where im going, i need to get right with god before its too late, i cant continue to go thru this amount of suffering without his spirit helping, this is like hell on earth. 🥺
Waiting is never easy, for sure. I’m just grateful God is right there with us in that season… His presence brings peace like no other! Thanks for sharing, Michelle. Stopping by from #graceandtruthlinkup