On Your Marks; Get Set; WAIT!

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Is it just me, or have you discovered that it is difficult to think straight or make good decisions when you’re anxious? You’ve probably been there; thousands and thousands of thoughts are swirling around in your mind, so you try to grab the one that flies by at the moment. 

I’ve found that when that is the case, the best thing to do is to wait silently, patiently on the Lord. The truth of the matter is that most of us don’t know how, or don’t want to enter the silence. There is a statement from Jeremiah, which is a help. It’s from his book titled Lamentations. I particularly like The MESSAGE Paraphrase of the verse:

When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The ‘worst’ is never the worst” (Lamentations 3:28).

Unfortunately for some Christ followers, the silence only adds more anxiety. We don’t like to wait in silence because we want to be in control. But I suggest it’s the best thing to do. Sit, close your mouth, and listen. It’s perfectly fine to read your Bible and pray, that’s a given. But most of all, quiet your soul before the Lord. 

Anxiety is the by-product of not “waiting for hope” to appear, as Jeremiah said. God speaks. He gives the answers and the hope we crave, but we’re too busy reaching, grasping for anything. We’re way too busy trying to figure it all out. My Bible College friend use to describe it, “I’m having a sensory overload!” 

Perhaps Jesus had that in mind when He told His disciples not to pray like the hypocrites, but to go in their closets for some one-on-one time with God. [That’s a rather loose translation of Matthew 6:6.] Again, I like The MESSAGE Paraphrase of that verse:

Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.

Whatever you are facing today that makes you anxious, God will time your next move perfectly if you will only wait, and listen.

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26