“Trust in the Lord with all your heart/And do not lean on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
I am a go-getter, often mapping out my goals and ways to achieve said goals with clear and precise direction. I am also an impatient person, wanting to achieve my goals NOW, IMMEDIATELY, SOON, SHORTLY! And if not then, when? When can I expect for them to be realized?
This is a disastrous combination, when submitting to our Lord.
I pray – I ask God for patience, but it is up to me to utilize patience in moments when I feel it slipping away as He has gifted us all with it. I seek God’s guidance in making the right decisions, in taking the right paths. But I often will map out ways that I can get to my desired destination, not realizing that each time I do that, I am not leaning on the Lord. I am leaning on myself.
And I do not have the ultimate dominion over my life. He does!
Picture by Nicole Serrao
To follow Christ means to empty yourself of you. Empty yourself of you and allow for yourself to be filled with Him. To become Christ-like.
And I can look back at periods of time when prayers were answered, and not by my hand. When I let go of what “I thought” and just prayed and waited, they were answered. Not in my desired timing perhaps, but they were answered.
I can look back at myself even, aside from requested prayers and see patterns of change that He directed of His own accord the more I sought Him. He made changes in me that I did not know needed to be made. And He knows best!
Image from pixabay.com
I find myself once again in a place of seeking the Lord for guidance and direction. Praying for His guiding mercies and for my ability to understand and recognize His answers. But in this season of waiting, it has me questioning, how do I find peace in this moment?
How do I stop my natural nature to strategize and plan? How do I increase my patience stores especially in this season? How do I find contentment in the not-knowing, the unknown timelines and outcomes?
“Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God./And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Well, I pray; both asking God for my request – the desire(s) of my heart — and thanking Him for His great glory, knowing that if I seek peace in this season, I will have it!
Do you find it sometimes hard to be content and peaceful in a particular season? What helps you to be still?
I am a happily married wife and mother of two (soon-to-be three) beautiful children, who; through God’s grace, is striving towards a more basic lifestyle that is focused primarily on family, faith and homemaking. New to the blogging world, writing has always been a passion of mine, writing poems and songs throughout my youth and moving to children’s books once motherhood approached (all which remain in my personal library and may one day see the light of day!). For now, I’m enjoying the wonderful blessings I have received thus far and excited to see where God takes me on this journey of life!
Tiffany H.
Wow! Exactly what I have been thinking and feeling lately! It’s like… I don’t feel like I’m living in the moment, but in the one I’m anxiously wanting/trying to be in. I do everything you said! Pray for patience and His timing, then find myself over here mapping away. Haha, thank you for the reminder of my favorite verses and first memory verses – Phil. 4:6-7! Thank you for sharing your struggles, which in turn encourages! It helps us to know that we’re not alone in this craziness. 😉
1 Thess. 5:16-18 helps keep me focused on rejoicing, praying, and thanking Him in this season of hurrying up to wait. 🙂 Also! James 1:4 – Patience is perfecting! I hope your season of waiting is so fruitful and even relaxing as you lean on God more. 🙂 God bless you!
Nicole
Yes, as Christians we know what we are to do in these moments, but due to human nature still find ourselves trying to take control! At least we know where to turn to settle our impatience during the waiting season! 🙂 Many blessings to you while you await God’s next move!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
Thank you for sharing this beautifully written post. The one I published this morning was very similar in thought. We certainly aren’t alone in our desire to get ahead of God rather than wait in His perfect timing. As I shared in my post, I remind myself that He has already written our story perfectly. We don’t need to try to rewrite it or find the perfect ending. Thank you for this reminder and the comfort that we all struggle. I am so thankful that we have each other to encourage!
Nicole
Yes it truly comforting to know that we are not alone on our journeys and that we can find encouragement in others that help further us as followers! 🙂