Trusting God's Timing: A Journey of Faith through Waiting and Recovery

You know, God has a funny way of doing things to get your attention. We often expect to hear from Him immediately when we call on Him. However, we know that's not how God operates. Many times, He stalls and makes us wait. Why? Oh my goodness, there are so many reasons why.

My Mom went into the hospital on March 14 for a medical procedure that called for a 3 to 4-day stay in the hospital. The surgery went phenomenally well. However, while in recovery, her heart stopped, and they had to resuscitate her. Several complications occurred afterward that landed her a week and a half stay in the ICU. Delirium set in and lingered. I was there every night, only left to shower, but I made sure my daughter or Aunt was there with her during my absences. Although I was there with her every minute, there was a time she did not know who I was! Hurtful! I began thinking what if.... but I quickly rebuked that thought and continued calling on Jesus's name.

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

Before her surgery, Mom was self-sufficient. Driving. Shopping on her own. She lives in her townhouse on her own and pays her bills. She is self-reliant, so you can imagine her current state was scary for me. It was terrifying, so I prayed, wondering if God had heard my prayers.

Although she's not out of the hospital yet, we're on the better side of recovery. In my reflection, I understand these three reasons why God's stalled.

1. Testing and Building Faith: One of the most common themes is testing and strengthening faith through waiting. Waiting on God's timing can build patience, trust, and reliance on Him. He needed me to build my faith and rely on Him. Psalm 27:14 (NIV) says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
2. Preparation: Sometimes, God may delay fulfilling our requests to prepare us for what we've requested. This preparation could involve personal growth, spiritual maturity, or readiness to handle the blessing or responsibility. Before coming to VA, I'd been dealing with some personal issues, and God needed to prepare me for what was ahead. Not just with Momma, but for the greater that's in store.?- In the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, his dreams of greatness took years to come to fruition, but during that time, he was prepared for the role he would eventually fulfill.
3. Divine Timing: God's timing often differs from our own. He knows the best time for things to happen, even if it's different than our desired timing. This requires no explanation. We must rely on HIM and trust His timing. If not, we will worry ourselves silly! - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) says, "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens."

Just as we tell our kids, "Your urgency is not my emergency.' In a way, this is God's response to us! We have to understand that He already knows what our emergency is. He knows before we do. If we realize and recognize this, it will provide us with so much peace.??

In this time, we must learn to?wait?for God's response.?

"Waiting" can be defined as staying in expectation or anticipation of something, often before the desired outcome or event occurs. It involves enduring a period of delay or anticipation with patience, readiness, and often with an attitude of hopefulness or expectancy. Waiting can encompass various emotions and actions, including frustration, patience, perseverance, trust, and preparation, as individuals anticipate fulfilling their desires, goals, or prayers.

"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

As we wait, try to practice the following:

1. Trust God's Timing: Trust that God knows the best timing for your prayers to be answered. Remind yourself of His faithfulness and promises, knowing He is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28).
2. Be in Alignment with His Will: Sometimes, our requests may not align with God's will for us or the greater good. In such cases, God may delay or deny our requests for our ultimate benefit. Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39) illustrates this when he prayed, "Yet not as I will, but as you will." Hence, seeking His "perfect Will" is done within your prayer.
3. Understand Divine Timing: God's timing often differs from our own. He knows the best time for things to happen, even if it's different than our desired timing. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) says, "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens."

I sincerely understand that waiting on God's timing can be challenging and unnerving, especially when your loved one urgently needs healing. Wondering if your prayers are being heard. Are you saying the proper prayer? Remember, the Bible teaches that there are purposes and benefits to be found in the waiting process. The Word encourages us to trust in God's wisdom and goodness, even when His answers seem delayed or different from what we expect.

As my Mom moves from the four walls of the hospital to the more vibrant setting of a rehab center (Father, I pray it's vibrant), I know that He is in control. I see that event with her permission; I don't have to be there 24 or even 18 hours daily. I am grateful for the saints who have prayed for and over her. She is blessed!

This journey of waiting and recovery has been a testament to the power of faith and perseverance. Through the challenges faced and the uncertainties endured, trust in God's timing has remained steadfast. As my Mom progresses toward healing, the lessons learned in patience, reliance, and gratitude resonate deeply. I pray this narrative serves as a reminder that waiting is not merely a period of delay but an opportunity for growth, reflection, and strengthening of faith. As I move forward with hope and trust, I am reminded of the ever-present love and guidance of a faithful God who walks with us through every trial and triumph.

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