I’m not sure if it’s the technology advancements or the overly packed schedules, but it seems like individuals are more and more used to a fast-paced life. With that, comes instant gratification for most things – entertainment, food, shopping, etc. Maybe this is why waiting is such a frustrating task.
It’s frustrating enough when the drive through isn’t moving as quickly as you’d like, but when waiting on God to move, the waiting can be unbearable. If you’re in a position where you’re waiting on God, here are 5 ways to be more productive during your wait.
How to Be Productive When Waiting for God to Move
1. Understand the Need to Wait on God’s Timing
No one likes waiting. However, something else that people don’t like is a half-baked product. For example, you expect the meal from a restaurant to be fully cooked and prepared before hitting your table, or the clothing you buy to be fully intact. You would also expect the painter that you hired to finish their work. We expect a finished product at the end of our transaction.
Not only is a half-baked product a downfall from a consumer standpoint, but in some situations, it can be deadly. Consider a baby born prematurely. The longer the baby waits in the womb, the more viable that child is. A caterpillar in its cocoon doesn’t rush the process. It knows that a rushed exit is harmful. Sometimes, that dream God put in your heart, needs a waiting period. Our God is a God of perfect timing. If your dream is brought to you too soon, a number of factors may be ill-prepared, which could be fatal to your dream. Trust that, when you’re waiting on God to move, he is keeping his promise to you safe until ripened!
2. Be Content While Waiting for God to Move
When you understand that the waiting is inevitable, you can be more content and less stressed about the process. However, know that not all waiting is pleasant. Think about Noah and the ark. This classic story is straight forward. Noah obeyed God by building the ark, the flood came, Noah’s family was safe – the end. But, considered the waiting period Noah and his family experienced. Hundreds of animals, limited ventilation (smelly to say the least!), uncontrollable movement of the sea (serious motion sickness), close quarters, and no way to “get away”.
Sometimes our period of waiting can seem uncomfortable. This can be enough to discourage people from pursuing their dreams and goals. However, like Noah, continue trusting that the waiting season will come to an end. In Noah’s situation, he had no choice but to wait and be patient, as leaving the boat would be dangerous. In our situation, it seems much easier to walk away. Resist the temptation to run back to comfort! Settle in and be content while you’re waiting for God to move.
3. Trust that Progress is Being Made During Your Season of Waiting
Waiting on something like a breakthrough, a business to take off or to land that dream job is a different process than watching something tangible being constructed. For example, we’re not able to see the steak sizzle or the product being assembled. When we can’t see anything happening it’s difficult to believe that anything is happening or that any progress is being made. However, consider a pregnant woman. Although she doesn’t see what’s happening inside of her, a tiny human is being formed and growing from a single cell to a full-size newborn.
In the same way, wait in expectation of what God has promised you. Although you don’t see anything moving in the natural, know that our God works in the spiritual. If you’ve experienced God’s perfect timing in the past, now is the time to replay that experience. Don’t only replay it to yourself, but share it with others as a testament to how God has come through for you in the past. God loves a thankful heart!
4. Develop Yourself While Waiting on God to Move
Although it can be tempting to just sit back and wait, this isn’t the best use of your time. Or, maybe the frustration of waiting has put you into a slump, making a negative impact on your enthusiasm. Resist the temptation to sit idle! Instead, while you’re waiting on God to move, work on growing and developing yourself and skill set even more. Remember back to the “half-baked” product? Make sure that when God gives the “okay”, that you are fully prepared to step into that new space. Use this time to study your field of focus, network, journal your experience, practice your skills, etc. Being active in your time of waiting will make the timeframe seem shorter!
5. Continue Working Towards Your Dream
It’s fun to dream and envision what the future could hold. Take sports for example. It’s much more fun to celebrate the win than it is to wake up early for practice. Holding the trophy is enjoyable compared to holding the dumbbells. But, to get to that future state, we have to be present in this current state and continue doing the hard work. The same goes for waiting on God.
It’s easier to fanaticize about God’s promises of the future, rather than be in today’s current moments. Today isn’t where we want to be. We want to have that business open, that degree finished, that job to come through, that relationship to heal, etc. It’s so tempting to always be looking forward. Instead, challenge yourself to being completely present today and do today’s work to the BEST of your ability. After all, God will bless those who are faithful with a few things!
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