I recently received an email from business coach, Valorie Burton, that spoke to something that’s been on my heart for a while. Here’s an excerpt from her newsletter:
“While returning from a speaking engagement on an evening flight, the pilot announced that he expected we would land a few minutes early. Instead, as we approached, nearby thunderstorms changed the plan. For more than an hour – as daylight turned to evening – we circled. At first, I found myself – like many of the passengers – feeling agitated. Then I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and enjoyed a few moments of rest.
I’ve noticed that so often in life, when we encounter a holding pattern, the natural reaction is one of frustration for having to wait. But a holding pattern serves a greater purpose – protecting you until the right conditions unfold that allow you to land at your destination safely. In our fast-paced world, we are tempted to believe that faster is always better. Sometimes, though, pushing for something to happen in the wrong timing can unnecessarily force you into a storm.” (c) Copyright 2014 Valorie Burton and Inspire Inc.
Valorie encouraged her readers to “take a deep breath, trust God’s timing and calmly embrace the journey.”
I think that’s what God means when He says to rest in Him. He wants us to receive the lavish, unfailing love He has for us and then trust Him to workout whatever the challenge is that we may be facing. That can be hard to do but I have a feeling that it’s the best way to come out on the other side of that challenge with the results that are best for us.
In the Bible, Sarah did not initially trust God’s timing. She had spent years waiting for His promise of a son. In her impatience, she decided to have her husband, Abram, impregnate her maid, Hagar (Genesis 16). She chose not to rest in God’s love for her. She chose not to trust His promise and His timing. Her choice to not wait for the child of promise did not lead to the fulfillment of her hope for a child. What resulted from her “pushing for something to happen,” has been manifested as a centuries-long conflict between the Arab descendants of Ismael (the son of Hagar) and the Jewish descendants of Isaac (the son of Sarah).
So today I encourage you to actively seek that place of rest. Rest in knowing that Jesus finished the work on your behalf on the cross and He desires that you accept it to the fullest extent.
Trust His promises.
Trust His wisdom.
Trust that His effort is better than yours so you can relax and wait expectantly with patience and joy.
Why?
His love for you is unfailing, His timing is impeccable, and the presence of His power in the midst of your challenge will bring the desired results of victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Yes! What a Great reminder! I am waiting and trusting in Gods perfect timing.
Elisha, so glad you’re confidence rests in Him!
Love this! So comforting that we can just rest in the fathers hands and let Him do the work!
Caroline, you and Colby are good examples of how to rest in Him. Continue to prepare with confidence! 🙂
This is the right passage to guide us in our journey through life. The greatest test of faith for me was when my father was in a life threatening situation in the hospital, for over a month he was in an intensive care unit. I have two other older siblings and during those times we were united in faith to pray for my father. We only had each other to rely on at that time. They shoulder the medical expenses while I, who had not a single penny to offer, relentlessly and almost sleeplessly took care of my father in the hospital. When the bill was way too much to pay for my brother and sister, they were forced to feel hopeless and despair. He thought of pulling the life support off of father and just take him home and just await his time. I was enraged by his notions. I know the money it must have cost them but what would the point be in our prayers if we just give up and not wait for God’s answer. I was strongly against it and they were all shocked with my sudden outrage. I was hurt and enraged by their hopelessness. Their senseless thought of having that last resort was similar to Sarah’s. If you have asked and prayed with all your heart, our loving and merciful God will answer it in His time.
Amy, thanks for sharing how perseverance is such an important factor when we’re believing God for change in our life.