All of us have friends that are always running late and friends that make it a priority to show up to everything early. I seem to find myself on both sides depending on the situation, but what amazes me about God is that He is neither. He is always right on time. God is the Creator of all things. He hung the stars and perfectly placed our planet among them. He is the Author of our stories. He knows every detail and is sovereign over each one. His design and His plan are perfect and good. He is ever working His divine purposes in you and I on the earth.
You would think that having a cognitive awareness of the sheer amazing nature and character of our God would cause us to be patient and wait with grace, but we know as humans that is almost never the case. We have OUR plans and OUR timing and when things don’t happen the way we want, we often start to lose our cool.
You know what I’m talking about. Maybe you have just graduated from college and you thought for sure you would have a job lined up already. Or maybe you are scrolling through your feed and see that yet another friend got engaged, making it 5 this week! Maybe you have been praying for your roommate or a family member for years and nothing seems to have changed at all. In those moments we have a choice. We can feel anxious, angry, and disappointed, or we can learn to trust God and wait well.
Practice Patience
Being patient is easier for some than for others, but we know from Galatians 5:22 that patience is a fruit of the Spirit. We are all called to grow in patience because God is patient. We will find that many times throughout our life we will be in a season of waiting. Waiting for the peace of God on a decision, waiting for a deal to go through, waiting for a heart to be softened. It isn’t a matter of if, but when. It is through our circumstances that God teaches us. James 1:4 says, “ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” Waiting and persevering produces maturity and completeness in you as a person. Though waiting can feel uncomfortable and painful at times, know that it is in the waiting you are growing and most likely getting equipped for the next season of life.
Steady Your Heart With Truth
When we can’t see or don’t know the outcome of a situation, it can cause fear to flood our hearts. I know I’m the kind of person who likes to know. I read the last page of books first and read spoilers on movies! I have realized over time, that I like knowing because it makes me feel comfortable and it gives me a sense of control. Maybe you have a 10 year life plan or you had an idea of where you would like to be now and life is just not taking that route. Steady your heart in the knowledge that ultimately God is in control. When I get scared, worried, or fear that my life won’t end up being everything I dreamed it would be I always remind myself of this truth. It’s going to be ok, God is in control. Reading what He promises us in the word is the best and most effective way to combat the fear. Check out: 2 Peter 1:4, Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:19, John 10:10
Trust His Ways
The beautiful thing about God is that He is both mysterious and knowable. He is set apart and completely other. His ways are above our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8&9). There are going to be circumstances in your life that are completely unexpected. Jobs fall through, promises are broken, relationships end. But we have a hope as believers that God is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). When life throws you curve balls, you can be miserable, throw a pity party and whine, or you can take the time to grow in your trust of Him who made you. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
It seems so simple, but we know how hard it can be. How often have we been guilty of trying to figure things out on our own? Often as we attempt to fix, decide or act alone, we feel anxious and unsure. God is God and He knows. We can trust Him in our waiting and know that the outcome will be good.
God is always exactly on time. His ways are perfect and good. We can trust Him in the seasons of waiting to grow us and make us more like Him. If you are in a season of waiting, be encouraged and let God be God in your life!