We can either give up and stay down; or get down (on our knees) and rise up (by the Lord’s power) to do that which He’s called us to!
This is what the Lord showed me from reading Ps. 27:13-14—
“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”
Since the moment of birth, we’ve all had to wait—that’s why babies cry! It’s also a lot of the reason we cry—because what we want or need isn’t there for us right away!
At that point, we can either:
- Wait passively (in silent resignation)
- Wait “aggressively” (express anger, complain, etc.)
- Wait anxiously (wondering if it/they are ever going to come or happen)
- Stop waiting and give up
- Wait with expectant hope, joyfully looking forward to the fulfillment
The first four of these come easily and naturally, and can be combined.
The fifth takes work and maturity and eliminates the first four!
I write as one who’s done all five, and have found that the last is the only one that works well!
Ever been in a medical practitioner’s waiting room?
~ Some are just sitting there, staring off into space.
~ Some are writing their PhD dissertations on their tablet—they figure as long as they’re at the doctor’s office, they might as well work on their doctorate, since they can probably finish it in the time they’re waiting!
~ Some are pacing, grumbling, murmuring, wailing, and gnashing their teeth– dentists love these kinds of people—gives them more work to do the longer they wait!
~ Then there’s the annoying ones hollering into their cell phones, making it easier for them to wait, but harder for everyone else.
At any point, any of these people may decide that appointment isn’t worth the wait, give up on ever seeing who they need to see, and leave.
“Why would anyone do that?”, we many ask.
Because they don’t trust the practitioner! They think he/she is either: 1)Not competent; or 2)Not faithful—i.e., won’t keep their appointment.
But then there’s a blessed few who are waiting comfortably, doing something productive while they’re waiting.
They get it!
In order to wait with expectant hope and keep on doing what we can and need to in the meantime, we have to trust in both the fulfillment and the fulfiller!
~like a child with good parents, who keeps at it in the hard chore, knowing their promised allowance is coming. They’re also sure of their parent’s help when they need it, as long as they do their part.
That’s what Galatians 6:9 promises us:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
We have to remind ourselves of this every day– every time we’re tempted to give up on something when we don’t see the results or progress we’d hoped for…
~When the enemy of our souls tries to convince us that it’s useless to keep going on this “dead end” road…
~When we’re tempted to pretend that something doesn’t matter after all, just so we won’t feel bad about giving up.
Thankfully the One who promised the harvest is also totally powerful, loving, and faithful to KEEP that promise! (Heb. 10:23; 1 Thes. 5:24).
What goal(s) are you pursuing now that matter(s) too much to give up on?
Don’t give up and stay down—Get down and rise up! If it’s worth waiting for, the Lord WILL bring it to pass!
Written by: Julie Tofilon
Website: Spring Forth Coaching
Follow on: Facebook