You’re on the fast track. You’ve got plans made, maybe just for the day or maybe more long term, like the next five years. You’ve got your “to do” list started, you’ve made your goals. You’re checking things off. You’re making progress.
Then..
BAM!
Smack dab in the middle of YOUR plans, there comes an unexpected circumstance, a hurdle, a setback. Something happens that you weren’t expecting.
This happens all the time! Right?
Then what happens next? You’ve made these plans, then you find yourself waiting…
Waiting for things to fall into place so you can move forward.
Waiting on test results.
Waiting on a phone call.
Waiting on God to clear this hurdle, move aside this unexpected circumstance.
You find yourself waiting…
You could be waiting for just a matter of minutes, maybe a couple hours. Or maybe several weeks go by, a month or two, a year. Or maybe even yet, you find yourself waiting several years.
Here you are now…
waiting
I hope that during October you will join me here, each day, as I explore the topic of waiting. I am drawing from my personal experience, which I’ll share more about tomorrow. Then we will dive right into the topic!
Question for you:
Are you struggling with a season of waiting right now? Please share in the comments so we can pray for each other!
This post is part of my 31 Days of Waiting series. Read all the posts in the series here.
Hey Ashley,
Thanks for writing about waiting! I know it will be encouraging. We are in a long stage of waiting on God’s will for our future. Steven is interviewing with some churches for ministry jobs and the process has been long and tiring for both of us. We are waiting for God to open the door so we know what is best for our family. Thanks for praying. We’re praying for your family too!
Heather
I will be praying Heather! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Ashley,
This is such a great topic, because this is life. It’s everyone’s experience, it’s my experience, and you see it all through the Bible. Even Jesus: when He was 12 He thought, “This is it! I’m ready to start my ministry.” And then Bam! He ended up having to go home with His parents, and submit to them and wait for 18 more years.
I used to have a plaque on my wall (wonder what happened to it:) that said, “Life is what happens to us while we’re making other plans.” It’s a favorite saying of mine.
I am trying not to “just wait” but to learn what God has for me in the waiting, and to still be serving Him, and bearing fruit, etc., because we only have today–we need to be thankful and live today. (Can you tell this topic hit a hot button with me? :) Sorry for the super long comment!
Thanks for starting this great subject.
Wendy
Thanks for the comment Wendy! I love your last paragraph there, we do need to not “just wait.” I will definitely be talking about this some! I may even quote your comment!
Thanks!
I was so elated to see your subject for the 31 days. I have been backed in a corner in regards to my finances. It is so very serious! I want to pass this test while I am waiting. Looking so forward to your study.
Thanks for stopping by Helen!
Bam! The perfect description of life events halting us in our tracks to remind us we aren’t in control. Searching through the 31 Days topics for just the right one, then low and behold *waiting*. Thank God for laying this on your heart and for allowing me to find it.
This morning, before I even knew about “31 Days …”, I was telling a girlfriend that my heart was happy to see her renewed peace & joy. She replied that she had “relearned to put her full faith & trust in God under the circumstances she was under.” I said, “yeah, we seem to take over as pilot when things are good, like we’ve got it all under control.” …”Thanks for your help God, I’ll take it from here.” Then she reminded me that could be why we have to keep going through the same lessons, or Bam! moments.
For me this emotionally, mentally, & financially trying period of waiting is time for reflection. Time to evaluate where my choices had an impact on where I am, what different choices I could’ve made & determining how to prepare myself better with God’s help for the next round. Maybe one of these days I’ll learn to fully trust God, his word, his promises; and not have to keep learning this lesson.
I look forward to waiting with you, thank you!
Yianna,
Praise God for how He orchestrates things in our life, like bringing you here today!
I hope that my posts speak to your heart and help you to find what you are searching for!
A God-incident – from a conversation, to a blog post about Thanksgiving, to 31 Days, eventually leading me here; to the topic I was searching for, and in the right context. He is good & I’m grateful!
Thanks, Ashley!
Ashley, this is a great topic. I know that in the waiting, it helps so much to have company (like a waiting room). As hearts gather here, I pray they are encouraged!
I have been praying and waiting on the Lord. He has been so sweet to offer timely encouragements. Still, the waiting is never easy! Looking forward to hearing your heart on the matter!
Wise words Stacey, “it helps so much to have company (like a waiting room). As hearts gather here, I pray they are encouraged!”
You are right on! Thanks for stopping by today!
When you first mentioned that your topic was going to be “waiting” I didn’t think it would apply to me. But then I stopped to think. It does seem that I’m “waiting” on so many things. One of the biggest ones is something we’ve been waiting on for years…and we have no idea if God will ever bring it to fruition. It’s hard to wait! And yet the lessons I’ve learned (and am learning!) as I wait are invaluable.
It’s hard to wait! And yet the lessons I’ve learned (and am learning!) as I wait are invaluable.
Spoken from someone who knows what it is like to wait, and wait well! Thanks for sharing! I hope that you will find encouragement over the next month!
I stopped on over, curious to know about your 31 days series, and BAM I was hit right between the eyes with the topic I am living through right now!
I’m not just waiting on one thing right now, but 3 and they are all really big. I’m trying my best to rest while waiting. Can’t wait to follow along with you!
Hey Cherie! God has a way of hitting us with those BAM moments!
I’ll be praying for you while you wait, and hope that you find some encouragement during this journey through waiting!
Thanks for visiting me! I’m looking forward to your 31 days too… my husband and I are currently “on hold” for another month before we are moving to Tennessee. Keep in touch :)
The “on hold” and in transition seasons are hard! Hopefully this season will go by quickly for you!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey there! This topic interests me because I am in the waiting stage of an international adoption. The wait has been long but I know it has been used by God to strengthen me. I will be following along…
Yes, yes, yes! I know what you mean. My husband and I are in the process of adopting, and it has been l.o.n.g.
Hopefully you’ll find some encouragement while I share what God has been teaching me!
[...] Must We Wait? By Ashley Wells, on October 3rd, 2011 Ok, I’ve set us up good. A brief overview and my experience with waiting. Now, let’s get into the really good [...]
I found your blog sometime back and enjoy it! WOW this topic is so what I need right now. I am in a waiting stage of the next phase of my life. Was on 2 committee at church and no longer am and wondering what God wants me to do next with time outside of work. I am single and am seeking and searching God for His will…volunteering or helping hurting people is where i am feeling the passion. Would love to get married and right now in a season of waiting regarding this! The last several years and especially months God has shown me many things and I am ever so grateful for what I am learning in this stage of my life. God has pushed me to a higher level with HIM.
Thanks for your encouragement Linda!
What a wonderful benefit you are receiving from all this waiting, growing closer to the Lord! I know it’s hard, but I pray that your faith will endure! Trust in Him always!
I’m so glad you commented today!