When Your Discouraged From Waiting or Lack of Results

       

      Waiting is hard.  Whether we wait for answers to health questions when we go to the doctor, for enough money to pay off our bills, answers to family problems, or even for the birth of a baby (and we know it will happen in about nine months), or a hundred other reasons, we wait!  And it’s hard.

We try to be productive while we wait, just to occupy our minds.  We pray and ask for God’s guidance..and often some clue if we are on the right track.  Still we don’t see anything moving forward and it feels like nothing is happening.

THINGS ARE STILL MOVING

But just because we can’t see any forward progress does not mean something isn’t in motion.  Even the tiny seed we’ve planted in the soil must still change in hidden ways before it pokes its tiny head through.  Growth precedes visibility!  God often works during these seasons in our lives in what might also be called “hidden ways”.  He isn’t yet ready to reveal his answer (or solution).

There may be a lesson he wants us to learn, or see our faithfulness mature before we see the fruit.  Harvest time does come, but in God’s time, not ours.   Even Biblical Joseph waited…for years… to see why God had called him to this place —prison, far from home and certainly not welcoming like his home had been (minus the jealousy of his brothers!)  But God did answer, in just the perfect time and Joseph ended up not in a prison, but in a palace, with much authority!

EVERYONE WAITS FOR SOMETHING

Again, however, like Joseph, we are forced to wait, and often we become discouraged and begin to question if an answer will ever be revealed.  So we begin comparing our journey with others who’ve gone through similar circumstances.  But each of our journeys are unique.  

Yes, there are bound to be similarities, but as God’s chosen children we each have our own path to follow.  The calling on our lives are unique to each of us.  Our lessons, interactions with other people, education, interests, background, and everything about us is directed to what God wants from our lives. 

DISCOURAGEMENT SETS IN

But as discouragement sets in, we lose motivation and find other ways to fill our days.  We stop studying (whether it’s the Bible or literal classes we might be taking), we stop praying because we wonder, ‘what’s the use?’, we fall into a hole of despair which opens the door for Satan to further unnerve us, drawing us even farther away from the God who loves us.

We forget that God is all knowing.  He can see the beginning from the end.  He knows where we’ve been, and where we are going.  But we must be willing to wait and put in the effort to get there.  It means crying out to God sincerely and allow him to work in and through us.  

WE DON'T WALK OUR JOURNEY ALONE

We need to remember, that even when we can’t see immediate answers, we don’t have to walk this journey alone or in our own strength.There is purpose for the delay, one we may or may not ever know.  

We must not give up or quit.  There is reward in ‘due season.’  We can know waiting isn’t a passive exercise, but a place where God can renew us.  God in his infinite wisdom will not fail us.  He will sustain us in this process and promised to give us His strength to carry us through.  “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31

We can do this!

Photo Credit:  Waiting Is Hard

When Life Feels Like Too Much

Struggles; we all have them!  The road in front of me seems foggy and filled with uncertainty.  Time passes, and still the questions keep twisting in my heart.  Am I headed in the right direction?  Is this where God wants me to be?  Who can I rely on to keep me grounded?  What happens when I fall apart again?  When does this end?

These and what seems like a thousand other questions keep battering my sense of confidence, as each day continues to remind me of what (who) I’ve lost and a sense of aloneness, I never thought possible.  I try to rest but my mind refuses to settle in and I often wake as tired as I went to bed, and yet I know I’ve slept.  

I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE

As a Believer, I know I am not alone, but I am human.  I know that I am deeply loved by God and he has his eyes on everything that has happened --and knows what I don’t: the future!  He’s not surprised with all my questions, confusion or even my doubts, and I’m certainly not the first who's had them.

Biblically, Esther faced decisions which terrified her!  She had to face the king and perhaps death.  Abraham was told to leave a place he’d always lived and journey to places unknown, and even the disciples had questions as they followed Jesus.  This is not new to God!  In these unknowns, God was still working; still in control!

LET GOD LEAD THE NEXT STEP

I am reminded in His Word that I’m not supposed to carry this weariness, my burdens, doubts, and even my fears alone.  His Word tells me specifically, to not fear.  My head hears that, and my mind believes it, just because God said it; yet my heart yearns for answers, and a calm and peace which often seems to be just out of my reach.

Yet, again, I know if I will totally trust my Creator, he will guide me through.  God’s Word is described as a lamp for my path (Ps. 119:105).  It doesn’t say it’s a grand spotlight which will lighten the entire area or even the road, but specifically, my path, and that’s enough for just today.  When I receive it, it can give me what I need to carry on for exactly where I am in this moment, in this hour, even in this day, and use it to move forward.

MOVING ONE STEP FORWARD

Take one single step.  That's what it takes.  Deliberately moving just one step in the right direction, whether it be related to family, finances, health, work, or death of a loved one and now a ‘foggy future’, God will hold, not only me, but anyone who believes, up.  He is with us as we move in faith and obedience to His Word.  

Answers and clarity do come, and often through community. Sometimes we can find them through other Believers, friends, mentors, pastors, or just sitting with His Word and seeking His face.  

God’s not finished with those of us who struggle to get through another day.  Our story is still being written. We just need to be quiet and listen to His still, small voice and cling to an all Powerful, Loving God.

Photo Credit: Moving one step forward

When You Struggle to Believe You Matter

     

       We just celebrated Mother’s Day; a day set aside to remind us how valuable mothers are in our lives.  Aside from God, they were first to love us, nurtured us as children, took care of us even when they could barely take care of themselves due to fatigue or illness; listened when we were confused; advised us a we grew; kissed our hurts away and looked past the moments that hurt to the quick, when words were spoken, or actions taken, that were inappropriate as we became teenagers. They loved us regardless of what we did, and prayed for us through it all. 

DO I MATTER?

Still, on Mother’s Day there are times when we 'older' moms feel invisible.  We feel un-needed and simply placated when things go awry.  Our children have grown, moved away and now have families of their own. We begin to ask ourselves ‘Do I really matter to my children?  Does what I think even count anymore?’

When this little voice starts whispering, it can also affect our relationship with God.  It stretches out and we begin asking the same about God.  ‘Do I matter to God?  Does he care that I feel alone and feel like I have no value?  I pray, I try to live right, so why do I feel so alone?’

WE ARE NOT ALONE

We aren’t the first to wonder about our lives in this way.  Job questioned his very existence during the time he was being and tested and experiencing horrific loss. (Job 3) Elijah felt he was a failure in his ministry and asked God to take his life. (1Kings 19)  And even David, a ‘man after God’s own heart’, cried out to God ‘What is man that you are mindful of him?’ (Psalm 8)

What’s important in all this, is to remember that our value in not based on our productivity, spiritual performance or even our emotional stability, all of which our society holds as strong truths about who we are.  

WE MATTER BECAUSE WE ARE HIS

We matter because we are God’s child.  There’s a contemporary Christian song out called ‘The Truth’ that makes me cry often when I hear it.  I am reminded that I am his, and that’s the truth—-and that’s what matters.  

        When I’m struggling, to know who I am in this season of my life, and perhaps you do too,  we can know that He’s not waiting for me to prove myself, or to present happiness when I’m sad, or to not cry when my pain becomes intense.  He loves me right where I am, regardless of my circumstances.

I KNOW I AM LOVED

Ultimately I know my children love me too.  I know they are busy with their own lives and responsibilities.  They aren’t really rejecting me, any more than God is. They just want to be who they are supposed to be, according to their priorities, and there’s nothing wrong with that.  

So I do my best to smile, accept the ‘quiet’ and know that I’m still Mom, and they know that too.  I remember the times they needed me so much I could barely keep up and just wanted to breathe; and thank God for the gift of my children; and the blessings of grandchildren.  

And if I’m still long enough, I know that God sees me too, and I am loved—not because of what I do, but because of who I am, even in my weakness when I feel alone.  I have value, and in that, reflect the image of a God who created me and does not make mistakes.

He created you, too.  And he loves you—and you totally matter, right where you are!

Photo Credit: You Matter