I am experiencing a time of waiting—for my foot to heal, for the day I can drive again, for the return of writing inspiration, and waiting bedside with a loved one, who is hovering between earth and eternity.
I should be able to wait well. After all, I wrote a book on life pauses and how to effectively handle waiting. But I have discovered writing a book on waiting and living out waiting are two very different things. However, in this journey, I’ve been reminded of a few key concepts that provide clues to accepting and living through life pauses.
Don’t Try to Project a Time Frame
Most of us like to know what lies ahead so we can prepare. Unfortunately, seasons of waiting do not come with an outline, timeline, or deadline. Waiting forces us to take one day at a time and live in the moment. I won’t pretend it’s easy, especially for those of us who are organized and like to work ahead.
Waiting teaches us. Waiting molds us. Waiting slows us. Go with waiting’s unpredictable time frame.
Embrace Rest
Waiting makes you feel like a bird on a wire. If you doze, will you lose your grip and fall off? Yet, rest is a vital part of waiting. In fact, a season of waiting my be specifically designed to provide rest, recovery, refreshment, or redirection.
Physical rest is important, but mental and emotional rest can also occur. It’s tempting to feel as if we should push ourselves to accomplish more while waiting, but instead, accept and embrace rest.
Give Thanks for Your Supporters
One of the blessings of being sidelined in a time of waiting is the support of friends and family. So many have contacted me in recent weeks to offer help and ask how we are doing. Their words and practical support mean so much.
Pray
Situations arise when prayer is the best and most you can do. When circumstances are beyond our control, and they often are, prayer removes burdens from our shoulders and places them in the more than capable hands of our Creator.
As you pray for your circumstances, don’t forget to pray for others. You are not the only one who is dealing with one, or more, challenges. Including others in your prayers helps you be less self-focused and blesses you and them.
Trust God for Resolution
Sometimes trust is tough. We often think we have the best answer, or a better plan, but God’s time frame and methods are far beyond our finite minds. He already knows when waiting will end and resolution to situations will come. God sees the big picture while we see only snapshots. Trust requires believing that what we cannot see will happen and forward motion will resume.
Trust is a small word that holds peace and assurance yet requires big faith. In these days of waiting, I’m holding on to trust.
“I wait for the Lord to help me, and I trust his word” (Psalm 130:5 NCV).
©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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