I hate waiting. Hate waiting in grocery lines. Hate waiting for my teenager to turn Life 360 back on after waging threatening texts, and hate waiting for the files to upload because I may or may not have 40 windows open. Any kind of waiting is a general annoyance, but when you’re waiting on something important, or close to the heart, it’s low-level torture, in my book.
I’ve just come off one month of waiting for my house to sell while sweating near blood as the risk of losing the new house because I sure did throw wisdom to the wind and waive the hubbard. Yes indeedy, it was 35 days of waiting through gritted teeth while enduring non-stop cleaning, house showings, and emotional meltdowns after multiple offers were made and withdrawn, increasing my angst, daily.
As always, God sent so much comfort and support during this month of glory, but it was one very specific verse that helped me cross the finish line with some shred of grace and sanity, despite the grim picture I’ve just painted.
Thank you Lord for Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and continue steadfastly in prayer.”
So let’s break it down. First off, the thought of rejoicing in hope when you’re goin’ through hell is right up there with those few other verses we all skim over because they sound crazy. Like St. Jame’s mandate to “count it all joy when facing trials.” Dude.
But after reading this a few times over, the Holy Spirit and a steady stream of espresso slowly neutralized my apprehension and softened my density
“Hope” in the Bible is defined as “the confident expectation of what God has promised, based on the certainty that God is faithful.” Anyone who’s known God for any shred of time knows He’s faithful. He always comes through when we least expect, in ways we never imagined.
So, deep down, even in the height of my explosive tantrums to any who’d listen, I knew my house would sell. I knew God would somehow protect my new house from being lost and I knew somehow, some way, I’d be standing on the other side of my freak outs, rejoicing.
But it’s easier to panic, then praise.
When teetering in the edge of trusting God, or caving to fear in the waiting, we simply need to look back. Think about all the miraculous ways God’s through for us in every arena of life (relationships, finance, career life, parenting), sometimes in the last hour.
My attitude really did change after mediating on this concept. I started worshipping instead of pouting, when scrubbing the floors after receiving the 17th (Seven. Teenth.) showing request, and thanking God for still being in control even after the tenth neighbor kindly informed me that no one wants to buy a house before the holidays. Thanks for the intel., Bob.
That’s the beauty of getting older, right? We’ve seen some shizzle. And God always gets us through.
On to the second portion of that verse… being patient in tribulation. I am not a patient gal. Like I do leg lifts while filling my water bottle to tolerate the slow pour. But impatient or not, we all have to endure hard things, so might as well get on board with God’s way (which is always easier).
Patience is defined as “persevering towards a goal, enduring trials, or expectantly waiting for a promise to be fulfilled.” Biblical patience is proactive. We’re not just sitting around static, biting our lips and trying not to use swear words while complaining to our besties. It’s really just a mind shift. I’ve been trying so hard to obsess less over what I’m waiting to change, and more on what I’m doing and feeling, in the waiting.
The last part of Romans 12:12 is a little easier to follow, at least for me. “Continue steadfastly in prayer.” We all know those popular verses on praying…pray without ceasing, pray in all things, pray instead of worrying, etc. But when we’re waiting on something important or stressful, we all know it’s easier to freak out instead of blubbering to God. Calling our sisters to moan and whine may feel like relief in the moment, but when we add more prayer to the mix, it feeds our spirits. It revives our hope and grows our faith, reminding our spirits that this too, shall pass, and the answer, or help is on its way.
I want my kids to see me enduring well through hard times. I want to be that friend remaining steadfast out of the personal knowledge of God’s goodness….even when life looks like a dumpster fire.
If you’re waiting on something right now…results from a medical scan, an improved relationship with one of your kids, or a breakthrough in your marriage, I FEEL YOU. Remember His faithfulness. Breathe. Be expectant. And never stop praying. xo
…my realtor agrees. : )
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For more encouragement, check out one of my favorite teachings by Bill Johnson on waiting.
