Friday, May 4th, 2012
“Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
(Hebrews 10:36, NLT)
Yesterday, I had a conversation with a woman who recently found out she was pregnant and was set on having an abortion. I shared the option of adoption with her but she was determined that abortion was what she wanted to do. After our conversation I was filled with sadness because this woman didn’t realize the precious gift and blessing that God had implanted in her womb. On top of that, I was saddened because she was wanted to abort a baby that I truly desired to have. After pondering these thoughts I began to cry uncontrollably, revealing my deep longing and desire for a child. I questioned out loud, “God why would you allow women to get pregnant knowing they don’t want the baby while not allowing women like me to conceive?” A good friend was with me as I went through these emotions and she shared, “We may never know why God withholds things from us, but the reason He allows some women to get pregnant is because of His grace and love. Even though He knows we’re going to mess up, He continues to bless us because He loves us.” Her words were gentle and filled with so much truth. It led me to think of the many times in my life when God had blessed me even though I didn’t deserve it. I was humbled by her response.
As I shared my heart, she continued to console me with her words and told me to read Hebrews 10:35, Isaiah 64:4, and Psalm 27:13-14 for encouragement. When I read these scriptures, I felt like Hebrews 10:35-36 spoke directly to me. God was saying, “Patient endurance is what you need right now. Keep doing my will and know that at the right time, you will receive all that I have promised you.” Those words calmed me and gave me the peace I needed in my moment of longing. Then when I read Psalm 27:14 it said, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he will strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” After reading those verses, my tears stopped and I was comforted in knowing that God provided what I needed.
What do you do when you have a deep longing and desire for something that you cannot have yet? Well, yesterday’s experience taught me that in those times we have to lean on God and pray for patience. The Bible dictionary defines patience as “steadfastness, constancy, endurance; the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.” Waiting on God may feel like suffering when you have such a deep, internal desire coupled with others around you being blessed with what you’ve been praying for. However, suffering is a part of what we go through as Christians. The purpose is not to punish us, but to strengthen our faith. You may have moments like I did yesterday where you feel that God is being unfair or you may just want to abandon your faith. But instead of hardening your heart and turning away from God, express all that you feel and allow Him to comfort you. Meditate on the scriptures above and let Him whisper sweet words of encouragement to you.
Although it may feel like God is ignoring your requests and that others don’t really understand what you’re going through, know that God is right there with you and at the perfect time you will receive all that He’s promised you. Be encouraged my dear Brother and my sweet Sister and know that you’re not alone. So what do you do during these times of lack? Wait patiently on the Lord. ~SMC