I’ve been thinking a lot about trust and waiting on God…about how His answers to prayers often come in ways I didn’t expect or ask for, and how sometimes He answers long after the time frame I’ve requested.
When I’m in one of life’s valleys, I have to cling to my faith and trust in God. I have to hold tight to what I know to be true.
God hears me. He sees me. He is with me. And He is carrying me through the trials when I can’t even see the next step to take.
“The Lord has heard my plea; The Lord will answer my prayer.” Psalm 6:9 NLT
In God’s perfect timing, I opened my Bible to this verse today. It’s what I’ve been reminding myself of over and over lately.
I need to praise God first, before I can see answers to my prayers, because I know that He is at work.
The solutions I think of may not be how God answers my prayers. I have to ask myself—will I only see His hand if it’s in the way I’m looking for? Or will I let go of my ideas and wait to see God’s plan unfold?
While I’m waiting, God is still with me. He strengthens me when I’m at my weakest. He guides me when I can’t see straight. He reminds me that He is at work when I start to panic. Again.
Trusting God isn’t easy. Trust develops over time. As I walk through the desert, I learn to lean on Him more and to look for His presence every day. When the desert stretches on for what seems like way too long, my trust in Him grows stronger. It grows deeper and keeps me grounded.
Trusting God with my heart, soul, and mind gives me strength and peace that does not come from myself. He calms my fears in ways I can’t achieve on my own.
Faith and trust in God doesn’t mean smooth sailing through life. It means I don’t have to try to navigate on my own. It means I don’t have to have it all figured out. And it means it’s okay when my plans don’t work out, because I realized it was better to go with whatever God has planned.
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 NLT
God’s promise to you and to me…He will be with us. No matter what we walk though. No matter what we’ve done.
When we believe God’s promises are for us, we know the Truth we can depend on. Truth that stands the test of time.
