Moving Forward While Waiting

 

Happy New Year!
The new year has arrived, and with it a clean slate and the hope that this year we’ll all  finally “get it right”. Or at least be happier, healthier, prosperous….you fill in the rest.

This day is bittersweet for me because an important relationship remains in a state of limbo. In that part of my life, I am poised to…well…continue waiting.

Some seasons of waiting are of longer duration than others; it’s easy to grow discouraged when changes aren’t happening at the speed or in the manner we’d like. We must always remember that God’s ways are higher than ours; He will not be rushed! However, He will be with us, loving us through every second as we trust in Him. My own faith, strength, and courage were certainly tested in 2016, but many joys also lightened the load. I never stop growing and learning.

Here’s a poem I wrote about where my heart and head are at right now:

“Heavenly Lenses”

Pulled up once more by my bootstraps
–the Lord seems slow, but He’s never late.
Uneasy with unresolved issues,
nothing more to do but pray and wait.
Moving forward feels like standing still,
must make better use of my days:
Proactively pursuing God’s will
–surrendered more fully to His ways.
In moments like these, He is my strength,
when discouragement dulls my senses;
I cling to Jesus, reading His Word
to see through heavenly lenses.
For God’s wisdom surpasses all
that my human brain can comprehend.
Not knowing is the hardest part
–when it’s time for this season to end.
Til that day comes, I trust His plan,
lifting my hands in thankful prayer,
for though the future is unclear now,
I know that God is already there!

12-30-16
©Ladeena Ashley

Waiting Wisely and Well
Waiting is never easy. We’ve all been through periods when we’ve done all we can do, and now the ball is in someone else’s court. To keep my faith strong and my sanity (relatively) intact, the Lord has helped me use the time wisely. Proactive waiting, you might say.

Here’s a short list of what I’ve learned, and questions to ask:

1. God knew this would happen
   (He loves you and you can trust His plan)
2. It’s okay not knowing what will happen
   (it’s not like you’d predict any other time, either)
3. What is the Lord teaching you through this?
   (about His character, yourself, and life)
4. How can you improve yourself while waiting?
5. How are you preparing for the possible outcomes?
   (pray — this does NOT mean worrying or obsessing)

Waiting doesn’t have to be full of stress, anxiety and discouragement. Use the time to reflect, regroup and, yes, rejoice! Praise God in advance for what He will do. Before you know it, the answer will come, the situation will change or the problem will work out. When the time comes, you can be more ready because you knew how best to wait!

God’s Word About Waiting…

“Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” Isaiah 30:18, NIV

“We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love, rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” Psalm 33:20-22, NIV

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9, NIV

“They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, ESV

Faith Notes
Here’s an awesome song that my heart sings every day!
Trust In You – Lauren Daigle
(Note: Link will open in new window.)

©Ladeena Ashley
2017 All Rights Reserved (blog content & photos)

Strength In Weakness

Where do you turn when life doesn’t make sense? Our first instinct may be to rely on our own strength and willpower to push through hard times, though in desperation we may seek God eventually. In every day decisions, however, it’s too easy to let our own reasoning and logic guide us.

For me, I’ve found that the moment I think to myself, “I got this”, I’m one step away from heartache and regret. On my own, under my own power and operating according to my wisdom, I am weak and only headed for trouble; but leaning on Him I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Indeed, in every situation, the Lord is ready and more than able to provide strength and wisdom beyond what we can ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20). His thoughts and ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God’s simplest, most basic thought is far beyond man’s greatest epiphany.

It never ceases to amaze me that although God created all things, He still has time and profound interest in even the minutest details of our lives. In fact, He wants us to cast all of our anxiety on Him because He loves us so much (1 Peter 5:7). In the hands of a loving Father, our human failings and frailty are transformed into wisdom and strength that confound those who foolishly rely on their own power (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

Therefore, I choose to think outside the box and never place God into one, because He is infinitely bigger than all of my problems. Every hour of life is 60 minutes in which He can guide, encourage, comfort and empower me as I look to Him. Honestly, things may not go exactly as I might like, and not everything is unicorns and rainbows. I keep in mind that we can plan our way, but the Lord directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). So, I trust that each step and the overall outcome will play out according to His perfect plan, which I know is ultimately for my good (Romans 8:28).

Here’s a poem I wrote with all those ideas in mind…

“Great Things To Come”

Greater blooms the heart in Christ:
the one who chooses to dream
the impossible, improbable
beyond our human means.
Greater grows the Spirit, when
the mind holds less control;
God’s common sense clashes
with the things we think we know.
Greater shines the soul in peril;
the healthy need no physician.
As Jesus, we, like candles, live
in the light of the Great Commission.
Greater still, the glory’s shone
when the hardest of heart repents.
What change is wrought in adversity!
What strength when we are spent!
Great God of creation, He, and yet
He loves and cares for all.
May our light shine brighter still
as we respond each day to His call.

1-13-99
© Ladeena Ashley

He’s Got Your Back

The Lord is our constant and everlasting hope. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and His faithfulness will last forever, through all generations (Deuteronomy 7:9). As we trust in Him with all of our heart, looking to Him each day and leaning on His understanding instead of ours, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Then with transformed hearts and minds, He will help us transform our world, one soul at a time.

Here’s one of my favorite songs by Colton Dixon: Through All Of It (Note: link will open in a new window)

I’m so thankful that God has been with me through every step of my life’s journey!

© Ladeena Ashley
2016 All Rights Reserved (blog content and photos)