Looking in the mirror can force us to see things we’d like to ignore . . . like our need for growth.
When I wrote chapter two of Waiting for God, I had to do some serious soul-searching. It wasn’t easy to admit my impatience or pride. But I felt a weight lifting when I decided to stop trying to control my life and the lives of those I loved. I didn’t have to do God’s job. Whew! What a relief!
I can hardly wait to hear what the Lord showed you during today’s reading.
Please share your comments or your answers to the reflection questions in the comment section below.
Reflection Questions
- How can considering how closely our lives are intertwined with the lives of others help change our perspective regarding trials and the time we spend in the wait?
When I’m struggling with relational conflicts, it helps me to remember that “God’s sovereignty and power cannot be thwarted by the actions or attitudes of the people He created” (Waiting for God, p. 15). But when I’m wrestling with private and personal affliction, the Lord helps me remember He’s not wasting the heartaches or pain. As I trust in Him and share the ways He’s working in and through my trials, He can use my mess to encourage others who are suffering . . . others who are looking for a purpose in the pain and hope in the wait. When I hear how He’s working in the lives of others, their testimonies ignite my faith, too.
- Why is it often tempting to ask God to change others quickly instead of focusing on the ways we need to change and accepting the time required to make those changes stick?
It’s so much easier to point out where others are needing growth. When someone hurts me, I don’t want to explore how I contributed to the issues. Looking into that mirror, facing my ugly or immature attitudes, and opening myself to the painful process of pruning can be scary. Growth takes time. Bad habits are hard to break. Sinful perspectives are difficult to face and even harder to surrender into God’s pruning hands. But when I remember God’s love for me results in His desire to make me more like Him, I have to trust He knows what He’s doing . . . even when the process hurts and seems endless.
- How has the Lord used the time you’ve spent in the wait to help prepare you for something you never expected?
Wow! When I picked up that piece of paper in September 2012 and dropped to the floor writhing in pain, I never expected the difficult road ahead and a life of chronic pain and fatigue would lead to ministry opportunities.
As I share how the Lord has held me close and changed me through this painful and ongoing healing journey, I’m in awe at how He uses each moment to point to His unfailing love and grace, to prove His unending faithfulness, to demonstrate His unlimited power, and bring comfort through His enduring hope.
Writing this book‒Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace‒has been a part of my healing process. Even when my current pain, fears, or frustration levels tempted me to feel alone, forgotten, and hopeless, God used the people I interviewed to help me hold on to His promises, to know what He says is true.
I expected Waiting for God to be a devotional about persevering through suffering. But by the time I wrote the last chapter, God showed me so much more . . . so much more.
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If you’re just joining the conversation today, you may want to drop in and share your thoughts for chapter 1.
*** Thanks for joining me to discuss the Waiting for God end-of-chapter questions. Please remain focused on what God is doing in and through your life and refrain from sharing full names or personal information (yours or anyone else’s) so we can keep this blog family a safe place to share. All comments will be monitored and modified to maintain a loving and encouraging atmosphere that is glorifying to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to growing with you.
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Dear Xochitl, the Lord led me to your site today to see an example of how He’s using you to show His glory. I’m largely home bound too, with chronic conditions that knock me for a loop, and I’ve been restless trying to understand what to do with this season of life. But through Psalm 37 and your work in Chapter 2, the Lord confirmed that He is changing me to be more Like Him and to WAIT on His change . Wow! It is a “thrilling” process, complete with chills, anxiety, excitement and eventually God’s joy. Thank you for letting God use you. We appreciate your ministry. 🙂
Hallelujah! I’m rejoicing with you, Peggy. To God be the glory! I hope you will join my blog family and join me to explore the amazing love God has for us as we seek Him in the treasure of His Holy Word. Thanks for sharing your beautiful testimony with me, Sister. I’m praying for you. As beloved children of God, we are not alone, not forgotten, and not without hope! Hallelujah!
Dear Xochitl, the Lord led me to your site today to see an example of how He’s using you to show His glory. I’m largely home bound too, with chronic conditions that knock me for a loop, and I’ve been restless trying to understand what to do with this season of life. But through Psalm 37 and your work in Chapter 2, the Lord confirmed that He is changing me to be more Like Him and to WAIT on His change . Wow! It is a “thrilling” process, complete with chills, anxiety, excitement and eventually God’s joy. Thank you for letting God use you. We appreciate your ministry. :)”
Hallelujah! Peggy, your message blessed me so much! I’m so sorry to hear you are hurting, Sister. But I am rejoicing with you as the Lord uses His perfect Word to reveal Himself to you . . . to us . . . as we continue trusting Him to work in and through the wait. I’m so glad we’re on this journey together, Sister. I’m praying for you!
Amen, and thank you! That’s so encouraging. I look forward to seeing more of your inspiring works.