But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. . . . —Isaiah 40:31
Yesterday, I sorted prayer concerns from a small basket on a bookshelf in the room where I pray. When a difficult problem keeps me from sleeping, I write it down. I place the concern into this basket for God’s attention and ask Him to guide me in handling it. Then I wait for His response.
I started this routine a few years ago as I struggled to apply one of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s teachings from Ephesians 6:13 (NIV) that “after you have done everything, to stand.” My shortcoming was not so much in giving up problems but in letting God keep them. My trust was not strong enough “to stand” firm—I regularly took back problems.
However, through this symbolic act of letting go of worries, I can picture the requests in God’s “in basket” and out of mine. The most significant change I’ve noticed since using this practice is that I’ve become content in waiting for God. I have found that with His response also comes renewal, bringing fresh insight, energy, and confidence all in perfect timing to deal with the issue.
As I moved my concerns from the basket into a folder of answered prayers, the practice of reading the old problems that I had taken to God and reflecting with gratitude on His solutions brought a powerful realization of why my trust has grown.
Dear Lord, when my trust starts to waver, remind me again to “stand awhile.” Amen.
