What is the waiting season?
The waiting season is defined as a time when we anticipate a change or event that has yet to occur. Many believers in Christ experience this phase at various points in their lives, often engaging in prayer, fasting, and emotional reflection while awaiting answers to their prayers and the miracles they seek.
I want to clarify that this piece isn’t a conventional testimonial; I am currently navigating my own waiting season. I believe this period serves as a time for character growth. Over the past year, I’ve gained more insights than in all my previous years combined. In this article, I aim to share the lessons I’ve learned during my waiting season, what the scriptures say about it, and some practical tips to help you through your own waiting experience.
My experience with setbacks
Many of us have encountered the phrases “surrender to the Lord” or “obey His commandments,” but what do they truly mean? While I may not have a definitive answer, I can share my recent experience. This past week, I reached a point of complete exhaustion. I have prayed, declared my faith in the Lord’s name, fasted, and shed countless tears. Despite my efforts, I found myself growing weary of hearing the same advice: to do more and trust God more.
When I was told to obey God’s word, I did my best, hoping for a reward that didn’t come in the way I expected. In search of a different approach, I took the advice of someone who suggested that if I simply did more, the Lord would support me. I followed this guidance, yet still did not see the results I desired. I also heard from spiritual leaders to declare my desires in the Lord’s name, referencing scriptures like Matthew 18:18, which says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” I began to declare my desires in the Lord’s name, but unfortunately, I still did not see the outcomes I was hoping for.
Lessons Learned During my Waiting Season
Can you identify where I went wrong based on my experience? If you’re unsure, let me clarify where I went wrong in my journey. I often sought guidance from others, including fellow believers, who, while well-meaning, do not possess insight into God’s specific plans for me. In my eagerness to move beyond my current season, I was looking for quick answers—just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it. However, I’ve come to realize that the waiting season is not meant to be rushed.
Eager to escape my current situation, I sought quick answers instead of embracing the waiting season. I’ve learned that this season isn’t meant to be rushed. While it can be uncomfortable, it’s essential to realize that growth and comfort can’t coexist. The waiting season is an opportunity to understand God’s will, which only He can reveal through His word. Avoid the mistake I made by relying on others for answers that only God can provide. Seeking guidance from anyone other than God can lead to confusion and 1 Corinthians 14:33 says “for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
I encourage anyone reading this to allow the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding. Before you read the Word of God, take a moment to pray and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal truths that resonate with your current season. I genuinely believe that 7 people can read the same verse, and each find a unique application for their lives. This is because we are all created with distinct purposes, and the Holy Spirit serves as our guide, helping us navigate our individual paths to fulfill God’s will.
I hope you found my experience and the video tips helpful for navigating your waiting season. I’d like to offer two additional tips to help your growth in this season.
- Lean on God: Waiting for God’s timing can be challenging, especially if you’re someone like me who craves immediate results. It’s important to remember that God ways are different from our ways, as highlighted Isaiah 55:9 “God’s ways are higher than ours”. While you wait, draw strength and insight from Him. Isaiah 40:31 reassures us that those who wait on the Lord will have their strength renewed, soaring like eagles and persevering without fatigue. This waiting season is not meant to discourage you; instead, it’s an opportunity to gain clarity on His plans for you, rather than relying on your own assumptions or the opinions of others. Take the time to connect with God, learn to recognize His voice, and filter out the distractions of the world and your own thoughts.
- Be open to letting go: God knows my purpose because He created me, just as He created you. It’s important to have a heartfelt conversation with God about your aspirations and desires, asking Him to fulfill His promises and direct your path as stated in Proverbs 16:3, which says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans”. However, be open to accept God’s will and correction. What I mean by this is God could say “yes” to your request but the way you say it playing out is different from the journey that God intends for you to have. Just like there is a probability he may say “no”. If his answer is no, I want to encourage you that when God says no it because of what he already said yes to. Be open to letting go what you thought was best for you and make way for what God knows is best for you.