The Second Attitude of Waiting

Last week I talked about the significance of waiting in our spiritual lives. Click here if you’d like to read that post. This week I want to explore the next attitude of waiting.

Waiting Patiently.

Our natural tendency leans toward a continuous sense of movement. When we feel our progress stalling, we grow agitated and antsy. Think of traffic. You’re moving along, thinking you might actually get home, or wherever, in a decent amount of time. Then one after another, you see those taillights glow a bright red and you moan along with the hum of your breaks. So much for that idea. Now you’re stuck, creeping along with no idea what’s causing the hold up or how long a delay lies ahead.

You’ve just lost control of your agenda. And now you have to wait. You can bang on the steering wheel, curse at the delusional driver who just cut in front of you, and rant the next hour or so. Or you can open the sun roof and let the sun warm your face, turn on some good Christian tunes, or even better, catch up on those prayer requests you didn’t get to in your hurry that morning.

Our lives are much the same. We think we’re moving along okay, then life throws something totally unexpected our way. We can rant and rave, or we can take advantage of the time and benefit from it. Learn from it. Trust God in the middle of it.

One such character comes to mind. Abraham’s life is a true picture of waiting. The Bible even describes how he waited:

And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. — Hebrews 6:15

When God first spoke to him (then Abram) about his future offspring, Abraham was seventy-five years old. He was 100 years old at Isaac’s birth. That's a lot of waiting!

Through his Word, God gives us further instructions on this attitude of waiting:

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. — Psalm 37:7

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. — Romans 8:25

I (David) waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. — Psalm 40:1

Waiting patiently is the next step in trusting God to be in control of our lives, especially when we can’t be. It’s all in the attitude, my friends, and that we always have control over.

Next week we’ll explore the third attitude of waiting. Waiting expectantly. Hope to see you here!

Praying, believing…and still waiting,
Dineen

Comments

[Lynn]

Dineen,

You know I have not thought about this. I mean, the patiently part. The Lord really wants us to wait and to wait with patients. These scriptures just shouted to me this morning. Thank you girl!!!

[Jia]

There's a song that I listen to frequently when I think that God's being mean, or "letting things happen" or being too slow (rude of me right?) Anyways, one of the lyrics goes:

And there are yeses that our father can hardly wait to give
And they are packed in every crevice of the lives we live
Sometimes God will pour down miracles and amazing twists of fate
And other times He chooses just to whisper, "Wait."

I just love that song, and your post reminded me of it. We all need to learn a little patience. God blesses us, in HIS time, not ours.

[Ronie]

I am so there! I had an epiphany about thsi waiting...what else are you going to do? Quit? What's there to quit to? And then...what good is it going to do to get riled up? You'll only be more stressed. The last five months have taught me so much. I feel a difference and a peace I've never experienced before. Doesn't mean it's not frustrating. But it's not tearing me up anymore.

[Heather Tipton]

oh, Neen. totally know this but needed the reminder anyway. thanks

[Tamara]

good morning dear Dineen - once again I am so blessed from your posts - they are a true testimony of your spiritual life - and you give me true and honest strength to believe too: I am praying, believing and still waiting. Our Lord says:
He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

and with the Lords Salvation our walk becomes blameless.

I feel it is so special to get to know you all here per internet! The longer I get to know you and your stories the more my heart aches not only for my Jack but for all of your husbands too!
hugs and in Christ love, Tamara

[Amy]

I think that once you look at the waiting from a different angle it starts to make sense, waiting frustrated me for years until i realised how much I was learning along the way. God was using that time to change me and it made things a whole lot better at the end of the journey.

[Peggy@Mazes, Messes, Miracles....aMazing Grace]

Bless you Dineen...WAITING and PATIENTLY combined...gulp...that takes more than just changing my attitude...(lol)...I believe that takes A SPIRITUAL MAKEOVER...and a
REALLY BIG MIRACLE...but sit back patiently
and watch...I'M A MIRACLE IN PROGRESS...
now, as regards, the people and things around me that I'm waiting on for prayers
at least 30 years and holding...to be answered or even a tint of answer...well,
that will be ONE BIG DAY of REJOICING
...meanwhile these verses will keep me patient(lol) Now in traffic, that's a horse of a different color...but I really love your suggestions...that happens to be what I usually do when I'm long distance traveling but a delay in local traffic or
incidences that spark my "ira" well, though I've learned to hold my tongue(lol) and never consider the gestures used at me(lol)
I will have to lower my percolator because
time in traffic never allows me that same pleasure of enjoying my Christian music, or additional prayer time. I DO BELIEVE GOD IS IN CONTROL! but not to sure the other drivers around me realize this yet!Nor some of the people I'm praying for...but someday like Abram, I WILL SEE THEM in the PROMISED LAND...I just need to stop striving and enjoy thriving in His Grave, Mercy, Power, Strength, Peace, and ALL the Fruit of the Spirit!

[Jasmine]

Dineen - this is a lesson that I've FINALLY been learning the past few months. If we can just wait patiently it's amazing how many lessons we can learn in the "waiting" - lessons that we wouldn't even see if we didn't stop and listen. It really is all about changing our attitudes in the times of waiting :) Thanks for your wise insight - it's definitely given me lots to think about.

Jasmine :)

[Rosheeda]

This is one of the areas I struggle the MOST with. Patience is really not my forte. Not at all. I seriously needed this bit of perspective; as I think about it, you're right - when I've gotten over thinking God just needed to hurry up and do something and got willing to listen and learn the lesson, it made a huge difference. Waiting is seriously one of the most character buildling exercises I've ever endured.

I love you, by the way.

ro

[pia]

this ministered to me. thanks for sharing.