WAIT FOR GOD
This year I’ve chosen the word wait as my #oneword365. I wasn’t particularly looking for a word for 2017, but this one found me. At first I wasn’t sure whether or not to settle on that word, but it popped up unexpectedly in almost everything I read. My mind would reflect on others, but this one just would not leave me alone. I am learning to wait for God in my life.
Waiting is often a hard thing for me to do. It’s easy to get impatient when I have to stand in line, be put on hold or get stuck in traffic. My time is important and all this waiting seems like a waste. I have also pleaded with God in prayer for people and things close to my heart. For many of them I still wait for an answer.
Maybe God wants me to learn to be more patient.
Recently, I was reading a post by my friend Karrilee Aggett, who gave a recap of her word for 2016. She then shared what she chose for 2017 and wrote about how she prayed for a verse to go along with it. I already had a scripture in mind for mine but could not remember the reference. Imagine my surprise when I got near the end of her post and there was the verse I needed!
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Often, I will rush ahead in my own strength to solve a problem. God instructs me to wait for Him. There are so many things I don’t know, but our God sees the future and knows what is best. Instead of worrying and trying to take things into my own hands, maybe I need to pray first.
After spending some quiet time in prayer, I have a sense of peace and calmness. It enables me to think more clearly and make better decisions. I cannot fix everything and was not meant to solve every problem. Rather than let so much tension settle in my neck and shoulders, I need to give all those burdens to Jesus. That doesn’t take away any of my responsibilities, but it does remind me that He goes with me. He gives the strength, grace and wisdom I need to know when to wait and when to move forward.
It also helps to be in community with other people. Often another set of eyes or hands can be beneficial. Maybe I need to talk more with others to get their perspective and/or a helping hand. When we wait on the Lord and listen to each other, we can accomplish much, especially when all is done with love.
What do you think? Do you have a word for this new year? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
I’m linking up with: #FreshMarketFriday, #DanceWithJesus, #MomentsofHope
I love how the Lord uses every little thing to bring confirmation! And I love that your verse for your word is in the same Psalm as mine! Because, of course!
I love that, too, Karrilee! God really does work through others and I’m thankful for the friends I’ve met on the internet. You are definitely a blessing.
Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl, I love how your verse connects with my word for this year, which is Stillness. I am pretty sure that being still is going to involve some waiting on the Lord, and I am so thankful that He will strengthen our hearts as we wait on Him! I am pretty amazed at how God brings overlap and confirmation to us through the connections that He arranges! Blessings to you this New Year, my friend! xoxo
Dear Bettie,
It is cool how our words connect, isn’t it? Yes, stillness probably will have some waiting involved. I love how God brings that confirmation just when we need it and through many ways including online friends! It is pretty amazing, but then we have an amazing God, don’t we? 🙂 Blessings to you, too, dear friend. xoxo
This year I see more of this: “I didn’t choose this word, it chose me!” Isn’t that just like God.
He chose us! I was lost and He found me.
Amen, Susan. He chose us not because of anything we did or didn’t do, but because He loves us.
Blessings to you! xo
Waiting is so so hard! What a great word for the year.
Yes, Tara, it can be very hard, but also fulfilling when the wait is finally over. It will be an interesting word for me.
Blessings to you! xo
We so need those times of waiting on the Lord, Gayl. And I love the realization He gave you–that you goes with you and gives you all you need in every moment of your day. There truly is a peace that we find when we sit at His feet and when we wait on Him in our day. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, the waiting is a learning time that we need. And the peace He gives is not something I can manufacture myself. It’s all from Him.
Blessings and thanks for stopping by, Beth!
Gayl- I love this! Waiting is hard, I’m not very good at it. I’d rather try to control the situation. It ends badly when I take control though. I’ve been relearning this lesson over and over again.
I hope you’re having a great January so far!
#MomentsofHope
Thanks, Julie! I know what you mean. Whenever we try to control it, things don’t usually work out as well. It’s a hard lesson to learn, right?
Thanks so much for stopping by! Many blessings to you!
Loved this quote today Gayl: I cannot fix everything and was not meant to solve every problem. Visiting from #searchingformoments today and am reminded of God’s faithfulness through your post!
Thanks, Angela. That is something I need to keep reminding myself. 🙂 God is in charge and He will accomplish His purposes, and yes, is always faithful! Glad my post reminded you.
Many blessings to you and have a great week!
Things turn ugly when we rush things. Nature doesn’t rush but it’s beautiful in its time.
Lovely message!
You’re so right. Waiting is hard, but rushing causes lots of problems. How much better to wait for something beautiful! Thanks so much for your comments, Lux!
Many blessings to you!