God calls some to fight their battles on the front lines, and it isn’t easy there. He calls some to live their lives doing the things they always dreamed of doing and being. He calls some to do things they’d never wanted to do, and serve Him through their weakness. But some, He simple calls to Wait.How often does our heart echo King David’s question. What is it that we are waiting for?“And now, Lord, what wait I for?” Psalms 39:7
God does not always choose to tell us what we wait for. Often, we must wait while He seems silent. We think we are waiting for our life to begin, but if we only could understand, that it already has.
Waiting isn’t easy. The road that we must take on this journey of waiting is often a lonely one. But it is a beautiful one, too.
For all its questions, for all its uncertainty, for all its pain, waiting can be one of the most beautiful times of our life, for while we learn to wait on Him, while we learn to take our trust a step deeper every day, God is doing some of His greater work in our lives, we just can’t see it yet.
I often turn to some of my most favorite verses in the bible for strength to wait. They speak to my heart of courage, of strength, and hope. We are not alone in this journey of waiting. This is not an uncharted path. Others have walked this way before us, and left us some words of hope. Read Psalms 37. It is a beautiful chapter of promise for those who wait.
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as Eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalms 27:14
Waiting, much like anything else in life, is what we make it. It can be filled with beauty and joy, or it can be the most bitter and miserable time of our lives. Its not where we are, so much as where we put our focus.
God doesn’t want us to just wait, He wants us to wait joyfully for the fulfilling of His plan in us. He wants us to learn to see the beauty in this journey. He wants us to learn to sing, even when our hearts are heavy. He wants us to know, in a way we could never understand if we never had to wait, of His power to save, and even more so of the depth of His unfailing love.
There is much beauty in learning to rest in His will. He longs to see us looking for that beauty, and learning to gather joy from the little things.
A patient, happy and content woman is a beautiful woman, and if we want to be that way “someday” then we can start right now to cultivate those things. It doesn’t mean it’ll be easy, or that waiting will never bring questions, or carry any pain, but if we can see this as our opportunity, the blessings we gain will far outweigh the pain. And someday, looking back, we will see that our journey truly was a journey with joy.
So if you find that you too, are waiting, this challenge is for both of us. Don’t just wait. Wait joyfully.
Thank you for this post. It was a reminder I needed.
This year, the Lord has been teaching me alot of what waiting on Him is. When I grow discouraged or disheartened, I think of the verse in Psalms where it says that as I wait on Him He shall strengthen my heart. I guess the most important thing in life right now is to “behold the beauty of the Lord” – that was David’s greatest desire and it should be mine too (Psalm 27:4)!
“Its not where we are, so much as where we put our focus.”
This is a quote from Elisabeth Elliot that has been an encouragement to me, and it mirrors everything you’ve shared: “The secret is Christ in me, not me in different circumstances.” 
This was fresh air of a reminder. This past year’s theme for me has been waiting and trust. These two things, indeed, can be painful. But like you shared, there is beauty in the now. Beauty in the journey as much as, if not more than, in the destination.
Thanks Chantel, this was a blessing!
Chantel, thank you for writing and sharing such a beautiful and meaningful post!
Thank you so, so much, Chantel. God knew this is exactly what I needed to read today. May God bless you as you continue to wait on Him!
~A
Wow this was such a beautiful and timely post
)
Thank you for all the verses that you included, i’m off to read Psalm 37 right now..:)
All my life i waited for my future husband and for a good career and to serve the Lord in whichever way HE leads..wether through missionary work, or through other means…I always waited for my life to begin…BUT it has began so long ago, i only this month started to see WHY i’m waiting and WHY God wants me to wait…It’s because HE wants me to wait joyfully and the waiting cultivates in me a better woman..:)
And waiting will make me more patient..! this was such a great article Chantel especially the last lines hit me hard..in a good way though
“Don’t just wait, wait joyfully..”
This is such a deep truth in my life…thank you for this wonderful post..i will admit now that i read the bible more reguarly i see God’s will for my life more clearly and i see that Jesus only wants what’s best for me and HE has taught me so much while i waited…Please whatever you do today, read this verse…
Jeremiah 29:11-14:
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. [a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”–
This is such a beautiful verse, these verses in Jeremiah have comforted me through the years and have helped me to wait more joyfully…I hope these verses minister to someone on YLCF today
thanks again Chantel
Take care,
To God be all glory!
Blessings and hugs!
PTL
In Him, Jane.
Amen. Thanks for sharing Chantel!
“Waiting, much like anything else in life, is what we make it. It can be filled with beauty and joy, or it can be the most bitter and miserable time of our lives. Its not where we are, so much as where we put our focus.”
That is some very good wisdom! So true! Thank you Chantel!
Thank you! I really needed to hear this again. Lately I have been wondering why I must always wait. Why it always seems like everyone else is going and doing and here I am, waiting. This was such an encouragement and I will continue to plant and water even if I don’t see the sprout, let alone fruit yet. Thank you! -Monika
Thank you, Chantel…that was a good reminder for me tonight.
Blessings,
Kiersti
Beautiful post, Chantel-very refreshing and encouraging to read at this point in my life.
Shelley
Thanks so much for sharing, Chantel! It really struck a chord with me. Really, the hardest and most painful times of my life are the most beautiful part of my life, that I would never trade for unbroken sunshine! He truly is wise and faithful, and all His judgements are right.
“Far too much my Saviour loved me
To allow my life to be;
One long, calm unbroken summer,
One unruffled, stormless sea.
He would have me fondly nestling
Closer to His loving breast…”
–Author Unknown
One verse that has really helped me to focus on God during tough times, is the one in Psalm 119: “I know that Thy judgements are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.”
Thank you for the inspiring article, Chantel. Every time I read your posts I am amazed by the talent God has given you.
Thank you, Chantel, for such a beautiful reminder. I’ve renewed my determination to wait joyfully!
“A patient, happy and content woman is a beautiful woman…”
This really struck me, thank you for your words of encouragment and reminder!
Praise God, thank you for your empathy and encouragement. May God continue to bless you, the other ladies, and myself as we wait. May He continue to beautify us all. Thank you and God bless!!!
Precious
I sat here weeping reading this. Thank you for your empathy and encouragement. May God continue to bless yourself, the other ladies that commented, and all of the other single women out there waiting. Worship while you wait. May God continue to bless and beautify us all!!!
Precious