Waiting

Isaiah 40:31, “…they who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” NIV

I’ve heard it said, “Until God opens the next door, praise Him in the hallway.” Well, I’m in the hallway. The fact is, I’m waiting outside the door that He’s already revealed that He’s going to open. I have confirmation, and steps have been taken. Now that I think about it, in reality, the door is already open, but we’re just not through it all the way…yet.

My husband has been promoted, we’re moving to Arkansas, we’ve sold our house in Mississippi, and we’re living in corporate housing while my husband trains for his new position in Alabama. Yes, it’s confusing to me too.  My husband’s time is filled with appointments, conference calls, meetings, business trips, and general stuff I don’t know anything about. But the kids and me…we’re pretty bored. We don’t know anybody here, and it’s sooo incredibly hot. It’s so hot that it’s miserable. The last thing any of us wants to do is go outside.  The bright side, though, is the gym in this apartment complex. I could go on and on for days at the luxury of having a gym on site! It’s so incredibly nice, and apparently, no one else here is concerned about their health, because I typically have it all to myself!

But I’m lonely. Loneliness is just that…lonely. While I’ve been disciplined with my exercise and for the most part, with my nutrition, I’ve been depressed in my spirit. It’s not healthy. If my emotions and spiritual life isn’t on track, I’m not healthy.

And so we wait. At this moment, we’re on day 9 of a 30-day arrangement, and time seems to be only creeping by. We’ve exhausted all of the appropriate movies that are playing in the theatre, and we’ve visited a few free museums in the area. But we’re running out of options. We’ve attended a local church for worship both Sundays we’ve been here, but it seems utterly pointless to put forth much effort into building any sort of relationship because we’ll be leaving soon. What’s a girl to do? How do I stay healthy, both in body and spirit while I’m waiting in the hallway?

I’m a person that thrives in a fast-paced environment. I make quick decisions, and I’m a quick learner. I like to keep busy too, because it seems to give me a feeling of accomplishment. When I’m not busy, I tend to get depressed, feeling that I’m not being productive and contributing anything of value. But when it gets too hectic, I get frazzled easily and cave to stress.

Today, I told God all about it. And He responded. He’s faithful to do that. He brought to my mind Isaiah 40:31. In this chapter, Israel is complaining. They’re, in a way, accusing God of not listening too. And He responds to them as well. Wait. It’s very simple, but He reminds them of who He really is, and His power that He provides to us. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.”

Could it be that God has given me this time to simply rest? It’s a time that I normally would never take on my own, and so God has purposely provided a time for me to simply soak up His goodness and prepare me for the next chapter of life.  The last few weeks before we sold our house were so frantic that I would go to bed at night and cry from the stress. God has given me this time to force me to be still, and all I’m wanting to do is join the fast-paced world once again.

But God wants to provide new strength. His purposes for me are perfect, and this new chapter of life promises to reveal His plan in my life. Instead of struggling against the God-given reign, I choose to joyfully walk in line with it. When life throws its stressors and frantic times my way, which it always does, I can face it with renewed energy and strength, knowing that He has equipped me.

Where are you in life right now? Maybe you’re like me and are praising Him in the hallway. Maybe you’ve just started a new chapter and need His renewed strength. Or maybe you’re at the end of a chapter and need fresh wings on which to soar.

He has promised to help you.

Encouragement for Today

Psalm 27:13-14 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” NIV

Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” NIV

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How Fear Controlled My Life

Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your god. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” NLT

I have a confession. I absolutely hate trying new restaurants, and it’s not because I’m a picky eater. In fact, it has nothing to do with the food. The reason I have such a distaste for new eating establishments is the awkward moment when you go through the door and you’re uncertain. Do you seat yourself, wait to be seated, go to a counter, throw your hands up to catch a roll....what do you do? Know what I mean? And all the while, all the locals are seated, watching me with their curious eyes, knowing instantly that I’ve never been here. “She doesn’t know what to do,” I can just hear them thinking out loud. It’s all rather silly, but it’s honestly something that goes through my mind every time I walk through an unknown door.

Most of my life I’ve spent in fear. Fear of heights, fear of water, fear of people, but most of all, fear of rejection. As a child, school wasn’t even safe, as I had an eye disorder that made me “different” than the other children. As a teenager, I didn’t participate in activities that the other teens enjoyed, and I was automatically cast out. As an adult, the fact that I’ve followed the call to discipleship makes me different too. All of this is why, without a doubt, I still would rather blend into the wall than make small talk with people I don’t know. It’s not that I don’t enjoy getting to know other people, no, it’s that I always felt like they wouldn’t want to get to know me. I wasn’t good enough, not smart enough, not interesting enough, not spiritual enough, and not pretty enough. I wasn’t enough.

Fear controlled me. It controlled my relationships, my hobbies, my opportunities, my career, and my relationship with Jesus. Because my fear so crippled the things I was able to do, my family suffered as well. Fear of embarrassing myself with my lack of athletic ability kept me from getting healthy for years. Fear that people would make fun of me or make snide remarks controlled my emotional health. Fear even later kept me from following the path that God had called me in sharing my story of weight loss, that I withheld the goodness that God brought about in my life from others who desperately needed to know that He is able! 

As I was reading through Isaiah one day, this well-known verse caught my attention. Countless times in the Bible, God says, “Do not fear.” But in this case, because of the exile, the people of Israel felt that God had thrown them away. They felt alone and unloved, but God had a purpose and a calling for them. Again, He expresses His love for them, “I am your God.” The promise of God’s abiding presence is continually weaved throughout Scripture, and...your life. In this Scripture, He uses the language of the covenant to remind them that He is victorious. Remember, He was the God who rescued them from Egypt, led them through the Red Sea on dry land, and fed them in the wilderness. Through all of the battles fought, God was there. He had planned their lives and their nation’s history in such a way as to show His faithfulness through it all. The road had not been easy; no one would claim it to be, because He was with them, they need not fear.

As I’ve looked back through the years of my life, I can see His hand designed plan upon every step.He has ordered my life in such ways that I never could’ve imagined for myself. He’s given me purpose, a calling, joy, and strength for the journey. Most of all, He saved me. Why should I fear? 

On days when the enemy comes around, telling me that I am not enough, I remember that God Himself has hand-designed my life. He has chosen me, equipped me, and given me gifts that I cannot help but share with others. The problem that I was facing all those years is that I thought my fear should be cured from within. But in fact, the cure to my fear comes from Him. If I’m confident in my skills, abilities, and interesting topics of discussion, I’m only confident in myself. But if I stand confident in what He has done in me, I boast about Him, giving Him glory. If rejection does occur, I can stand confident in the fact that He is pleased with me. And His victorious hand sustains me. 

What frightens you? If your worst fear were to come true, what’s the worst that could happen? Is God still on the throne? Hasn’t He been faithful through it all? 

Ask Him today to instill in you a confidence that comes from Him. He is faithful, and He is victorious!

Encouragement for Today

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.’” NLT

Psalm 34:4-6 “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.” NLT