Saturday, February 17, 2007

When God Puts You On Hold

by Donna L. Watkins

If you've ever flown, you know that sometimes the airport runways are full and your plane has to circle around the city waiting for instruction from the tower that it's your turn to land. Sometimes, it feels like God is too busy to address our needs and we're in a holding pattern of waiting.

© 2007 Donna L. Watkins - Eastern Bluebird
This bluebird in the photo reminds me of me at times when I stretch my neck skyward and say, "Is anybody up there?"

Prayer gets discouraging because instead of hearing and seeing a YES to our prayers, we perceive that God doesn't care because it's not happening the way we're praying. We are fortunate that God doesn't always say "yes" to our prayers. We don't see the future so we can't take the whole picture into consideration when we ask for something.

You wouldn't want that plane to land while the runways were full of other planes. If given a choice, seeing the whole picture down below, you wouldn't want the pilot to demand a spot on the runway by heading in for landing. Planes always carry enough fuel for these holding patterns and we need to carry enough spiritual fuel to carry us through the waiting.

Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Verse 13 says, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

Trust Him. Have Faith in His providential will for our lives and know that what we cannot see is being seen by the One who knows all. By the One who has our best interests at heart: "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

When all seems hopeless and the Heavens seem silent, God is working. He's still thinking about you and working everything out for good.

Have you seemingly prayed 'forever' for a prodigal child, lost husband, more finances, a healthy body, a life partner, or a peaceful environment? Don't give up. Control your thought life. What you sow, you will reap, so don't think negative, hopeless, defeated thoughts. The best way to keep your mind from wandering to dark places, is to memorize the Word.

Here's a good one to begin with:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all my iniquities; who heals all of my diseases; who redeems my life from destruction; who crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercies." Psalm 103:1-4

Although it seems long, it's an easy one to memorize since it repeats things and it has a good flow to it. If you replace the negative in your mind with the positive of God's Word, you will go a long way in having the patience to wait. That patience will build other good qualities into your life that you will appreciate in trials and tribulations that we all have and will continue to have.

If you read through this verse and expect all of it to happen as soon as you finish memorizing it, you will be in a negative realm, because the devil will tell you it's not happening in your life, so stop thinking on Scripture and think on reality (which is the evil he creates around us). Don't be swayed or tempted to believe the Enemy instead of God.

As you truly absorb Scripture, it will become part of you and you will become part of what it says. Reading something or quoting it a hundred times won't make it happen in your life. It's not about the little red engine trying to get up the hill saying, "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." Thinking right is the first step, but believing is the key. Jesus said it was all about believing and David knew that also in Psalms 119:11: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee."

When life puts you on hold, choose what "music" you're going to listen to and what "message" you will hear over and over again. It will define whether you are depressed and hopeless or delighted and hopeful.

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All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2008 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription.
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