This morning I am stirred. I am recounting many promises God has spoken to my heart. I am thinking about things I have not yet seen come to pass but are definitely placed on my heart by God. Then I kept hearing, “Not if, but when”.
When God gives you a promise or even a glimpse of a promise, it’s a non-negotiable event. Once He’s released it to you, it’s a “when” situation. He is faithful and is not a liar, all He has promised WILL come to pass. It’s mostly an issue of timing. Are you brave enough to wait on His?
So often we receive a promise and then in our hearts determine it must happen immediately, but that’s not always the case. Some promises take time. Sometimes we must grow in character before receiving them, but He gives us the promise when He does to encourage us to keep moving deeper in Him, and to keep moving forward. Other times our promise has to do with others, and we must wait on their process. Either way, He has done no hindering. He is still telling you the truth and can still be trusted.
Our world has become so instant, that I believe we will lose the character building ability to wait patiently if we are not careful and deliberate. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard to wait, but I have experienced so much growth in the waiting seasons. I know it’s worthwhile.
As a family it’s harder and harder to teach kids how to wait, as well, because of this instant culture. We as parents must be deliberate and intentional about offering opportunities for kids to develop such perseverance. In our family we set certain milestones for life. For instance, with our daughters, we told them when they turn 10 they can get their ears pierced, at 12 they receive a birthstone ring, and they don’t know it yet, but they will get a special ring from daddy at 13. The waiting for these things is hard. By the time Naomi was 10, most of her friends already had pierced ears and she really wanted them too. There were many times that I was so tempted to skip the age achievement and just let her get them done, but each time I would feel God tug my heart and tell me He was teaching her a good lesson in the wait. Wow. Do you realize that He couldn’t teach the lesson in such an easy way if I, as her parent, didn’t participate in the waiting too? This is a convicting thought.
I believe we often sabotage God’s work in our children because we desire their comfort and happiness above their character.
Even with a spouse we can do this. And definitely with ourselves. The easy and quick way is not always the best way. I have searched out deeper places in the Father’s heart during waiting seasons. I honestly don’t know if I would’ve done that otherwise.
Basically, what I’m saying is, sometimes it’s worth the wait.
Yet he did not wave through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He promised. Romans 4:20-21
365 Days in the Presence 