Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

~Psalm 27:14 NASB

Some of the hardest seasons of life are those in which we wonder what to do in the W.A.I.T.

In one way or another, we have to wait every day–in traffic on the way to work, for an order to arrive in the mail, or in line to be checked out at the store. But that’s not the waiting I’m referring to. I’m talking about those seasons of life when you’re waiting for the deep-seated desires of your heart to happen. However, for some reason, it . . . just . . . hasn’t . . . happened. Things such as:

• A godly mate
• The child you’ve always wanted
• Your business to kick off
• A relationship to be reconciled
• A new career opportunity 

 

If you’re anything like me, sometimes waiting can be very difficult.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick.

Proverbs 13:12 NIV

Honestly, even though I know God has a greater plan and His ways are better than anything we could ever imagine, waiting can at times make us feel as if God has forgotten about us–that our dreams may never happen. Yet, in faith, we still must wait.

I thought about something my mentor once shared with me. When we’re wondering what to do in the W.A.I.T., we shouldn’t just sit around doing nothing. Instead, we should actively wait. But how does that look? What things can we do when God is calling us to wait on His direction, timing, and voice? As I thought about it, an acronym came to mind that gave my mentor’s comment a new meaning. 

Water Yourself in the Word 

Our seasons of waiting are a perfect time to immerse ourselves in God’s Word. We can learn about Him in deeper and more intimate ways and discern His voice. The Word allows God to fine-tune our hearts with His desires. His Word is the lamp to our feet. It is the light for our path. This can be difficult because it’s easy to become consumed, wondering when the next step will come. But when we soak ourselves in the Word, the joy of God’s promises will carry us through.

Anchor Your Soul in Hope 

During seasons of waiting, it’s easy for discouragement to creep in. This is why it is so important that we have an anchor to support us. An anchor is used to steady an object, such as a boat, and to keep it from drifting in the wind or current. Long periods of waiting can bring about a wave of emotions we didn’t see coming, leading us into a sea of hopelessness. Jesus is the only anchor strong enough to handle those emotions.

We who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope we have as an anchor for our souls!

Hebrews 6:18-19 NASB

Ignore the Temptation to Give In 

When the what to do in the W.A.I.T. question bothers us, we can easily want to throw in the towel. Our minds can play tricks on us. The lure of taking matters into our own hands or slipping back into old patterns begins to look appealing. Reaching out to an old friend because our marriage is not where we thought it would be. Sleeping in and choosing to skip the gym when we know it doesn’t match our fitness goals or giving up on applying for our dream job because it seems beyond our reach. However, we must resist those temptations. 

Trust the Lord 

The longer we must wait, the easier it becomes to doubt what we once had confidence in. We know God spoke a word to our hearts, but as each day passes without seeing any evidence, that assurance scale seems to drop lower. If we don’t trust God during the waiting season, we might take matters into our hands. Think about what happened with Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 16). 

When we find ourselves in the what to do in the W.A.I.T. season, we can remember that we’re not alone. We can encourage ourselves and others not to allow this time to pass us by, causing us to miss what God can teach us in these moments. Wait expectantly that our Father will always be faithful to His promises.

What are some actions you can take in a waiting season?

Heavenly Father, thank You for helping me to wait patiently, knowing Your best plan, rather than my hurried plans, is worth the wait. Help me remember You wait with me, and I am never alone. In Jesus’s name, amen.

(Adapted from Pages from My Heart: A Devotional for Women: Lekeisha (Ford) Maldon: Used with permission.)

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: What to do in the W.A.I.T.: Lekeisha Maldon: All Rights Reserved