The Journey Toward Waiting WellSample

In Twister, the victory generally goes to the player who can maintain her position longer than everyone else. She is the player who chooses to hold on through the waiting. The winner simply out-lasts or out-stretches the competition. But that’s not how you and I become victorious on the journey toward waiting well.

Pondering how long it will take God to act on his behalf, David takes one more step in a triumphant direction. Before his problems are solved and the waiting over, our guide chooses to rejoice. Remember, rejoicing is not his natural response in the waiting. It’s simply an act of his will. After David chooses to take stock of his life, considering all God has done for him, he leaves the situation and the results in Divine hands.

My God has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6

Somehow, in the journey, his howling “how longs” have transposed into a confident crescendo of faith. Without any change in circumstance, David articulates how he works himself through his own difficult place from the inside out, ending in a triumphant medley. Thanks to his transparency, you and I can learn to do the same.

Sure. We can howl, asking our own “how long” questions guilt-free. You and I might even succumb to some type of emotional wreckage while we wait. But soon, we can suspend the crying. We can stop believing the lie we are forgotten. Even if it feels like we have been cast off and that God is not listening, we can change our gaze to raise our eyes upward, focusing on the character and person of God. And when the way forward is unclear, we ask for eyes to see Him through the darkness.

But these efforts alone won’t push us over the victory line, as David so artfully articulates. To truly wait well, our thoughts must center on God rather than our situation. When has God been faithful? Consider how He has been merciful, good, and long-suffering while you create a written record. This is where spiritual strength begins to fill our weary legs of faith once again. And as it does, like David, you and I can choose to rejoice.

It’s just a short psalm written ages ago, but through it you will find your victory. On this path is marked the journey toward waiting well.

We hope this plan has been an encouragement. For more on waiting well and other Gospel-centered resources from Cheri, visit https://www.sheyearns.com/what-is-next/.