Dear Friend,
We often find ourselves eagerly awaiting God's promises to manifest in our lives. We pray, we seek His guidance, and we wait and wait, and wait, but have you ever considered that God's timing might not always align with our plans and expectations? In fact, God's timing can be pretty inconvenient at times, and it is that inconvenience that is part of His divine plan.
I have a few things I want you to consider:
God's Timing vs. Our Timing
In our fast-paced world, we are accustomed to instant gratification and efficiency. Therefore, we want things to happen when we want them to happen, but God operates on an entirely different timescale. His timing is perfect, even though it may not align with our desires or expectations. Scripture reminds us of this truth in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV):
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Friend, we must recognize that God's wisdom surpasses our understanding, and His timing is always for our ultimate good.
Learning Patience and Trust
When we face inconvenient delays, setbacks, or detours in our journey, we can grow in patience and trust. Consider the story of Abraham and Sarah, who were promised a child in their old age. God's timing seemed inconvenient as the years passed, but they remained faithful...kinda. In the end, though, they saw the fulfillment of God's promise in the birth of their son, Isaac.
Likewise, we may experience times when God's promises seem distant, and waiting becomes challenging. Trust me; I get it. However, these seasons of waiting are an invitation to deepen our faith and reliance on Him. I want you to hold on to James 1:3-4 (NIV), which reminds us that
"the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Embracing God's Divine Appointments
We must understand that His timing includes divine appointments and orchestrated encounters. God often uses unexpected situations, relationships, and challenges to mold us into the people He intends us to be. Consider Joseph's journey in the Bible, which is a prime example of this: He faced betrayal, imprisonment, and hardship, but ultimately, God's timing elevated him to a position of great influence and allowed him to fulfill God's purpose.
Ultimately, when we embrace God's inconvenient timing, we open ourselves up to the possibility of encountering people, experiences, and opportunities that we might have otherwise missed. These divine appointments are integral to God's plan for our lives and are vital in fulfilling His promises.
I say all this to say inconvenient timing may test our patience and challenge our understanding, but it is an essential aspect of our faith journey. When we surrender our own agendas and embrace God's timing, we position ourselves to witness the miraculous unfolding of His promises in our lives. Remember that God's delays are not denials but divine opportunities for growth, trust, and the manifestation of His perfect will.
Let us remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God's timing, though sometimes inconvenient, is always for our good.
Be encouraged by Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): "
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Though difficult at times, I challenge you to embrace God's inconvenient timing, and I believe you will find yourself soaring on wings of faith toward the fulfillment of His promises in your life.
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