We all like to sustain forward motion with our lives according to our plans, goals, and dreams, but there are times when we get a clear message to pause. Waiting for a nebulous, invisible, indefinite something is hard. You begin to distrust the pause message, and like a nervous horse at the starting gate, stomp and snort to fly forward. Yet, to ignore the message to wait may have dire consequences.
Following are reasons to pause when the message is wait:
What Lies Ahead is Veiled
Change happens suddenly and the unexpected materializes without warning. No one anticipated COVID-19, the impact it would have on our lives, and the length and depth of those changes. Two days ago, my area of the country wasn’t thinking about gas shortages. Today, people are searching the state for availability and waiting in long lines. We cannot see what the future holds, so an internal voice that cautions pause is for your benefit.
Over-Confident Action Has Consequences
Years ago, I was involved in a real estate development project. I was comfortable with the initial subdivision plan, but the land planner suggested adding additional lots. It sounded like a good idea. Real estate was selling well at the time, but others on the development team had concerns and were hesitant. Their viewpoint was wait; mine was forge ahead.
With the addition, road construction took longer than expected. Builders and potential buyers grew impatient and bought elsewhere. When the work was finally complete, the bottom dropped out of the real estate market and interest rates rose. It took years for the market to recover and placed finance strain on the development team.
When you, or others, sense a message to pause, pay attention. In doing so, you avert consequences that may linger for years.
Value Exists in Slowing Down
Sometimes, we rush ahead because we want to check items off our to-do list and feel we are making progress. However, often, there is value in slowing down, reassessing, and reevaluating. You may need time to rethink motives, potential problems, or consider the advantages of a different time frame. If you sense cause for pause, pay attention.
Trust God’s Provision
During a months-long season of waiting when my husband was without a job, we experienced God’s hand of provision. I received a phone call to schedule a closing for a lot that had been under contract for almost two years. When I signed the contract, I wasn’t sure the purchaser would follow through because the closing was so far in the future. In truth, I had forgotten about the contract because so much time had elapsed. Then, when we needed money, what didn’t seem like a good thing initially suddenly made perfect sense in God’s timetable.
Trust God’s creativity in providing for your needs and his faithfulness in acting on your behalf in life pauses.
“For from days of old no one has heard, nor has ear perceived, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and acts in behalf of the one who [gladly] waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4 AMP).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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