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Presented by Lauren Stibgen
Yesterday we talked about how the simple noun, waiting, can cause us to ask God some hard questions. We experience feelings about a period of waiting when something doesn’t happen in the amount of time we have assigned in our minds that seems reasonable.
This waiting can lead to many different feelings. The challenge with these feelings is they can lead to other actions which may not lead to the best outcome for us.
Think about becoming impatient for an answer you are waiting for. This impatience starts to brew and bubbles into anger. We have all been there. Thinking about why someone hasn’t called back or gotten back to you. Maybe your foot is tapping, or you are pacing in your office. Finally, you erupt and in that angry moment you call and accuse the other party of stalling. Silence is on the other end of the line. The person hadn’t called back because they were sick.
Now think about waiting for a call from a recruiter for a job you not only want, but desperately need. The waiting is making you anxious. You are fearful someone else will get the job, and you won’t have enough financial provision for your family.
You have a disagreement with someone at work, and you are waiting for the right moment to apologize. You are overburdened with the feelings associated with this needed apology.
After waiting for feedback from a job interview you find out you have been passed over for a promotion. You feel worthless and lack hope because you heard through the grapevine and not the hiring manager for the job.
All your closest friends are married. You are still waiting to find love. You find yourself feeling lonely and sad. Impatient, angry, anxious, fearful, overburdened, worthless, hopeless, lonely and sad. Heavy emotions. God offers us an opportunity for other feelings in the waiting.
Loved:
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8).
Hopeful:
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18).
Patient:
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick tempered displays folly (Proverbs 14:29).
Calm/Peaceful:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27).
We have all had feelings that the Lord hasn’t dealt with us fairly or answered us in our time, but he does offer us other ways to feel if we are abiding with him in the Word.