Trusting and Waiting on God

Waiting on God and trusting that He is really working it all together for our good, can be one of the hardest things we endure in our Christian life.

You may not agree with me on this. But have you ever wanted something so badly you’ve moved ahead of God making things happen for yourself? I think we all have at some point in our lives.

Some of you are married to, or separated or divorced from men who if you had waited on the Lord—you would never have been attached too. There are those of you who proclaimed the Lord said it was okay to buy that house or car. You now owe on a house you no longer live in because it was foreclosed on. And you have a car note or lease with insurance that takes all your money.

How many of us are single moms because we didn’t trust God enough to say, “No!” to the man who threatened to leave us, if we didn’t have sex with him? Yet, he left anyway or maybe married you, but you are miserable.

There are those of you who are in jobs, which you hate! But you begged God for this job. And you couldn’t possibly understand why He wouldn’t want you to have this better paying job? After all, it would increase your tithes and offers, so you jumped at it! But in truth, He never told you to take it.

I wonder how many of us are sad and discouraged because we don’t see God moving in a situation we have been prayerful about? How many of us have given up on family, marriages and loved ones? Maybe even our own healing or life changing experience?

I know a woman whose oven door spring broke and she had to use a stick to keep it closed. She wanted a new stove and a few other things done in the kitchen. Her husband, asked her to give him a few months and he would have the money. Well, her version of a few months and his were too different things, so she borrowed the money from her mother and had the work done. Yes, it caused big problems in their marriage. And it really wasn’t even about waiting on her husband, as much as not trusting God in the matter.

There are so many examples of everyday life where we have become impatient with God’s timing and have taken matters into our own hands. I know I’m guilty! But today I want to share my recent faith battle and victory.

In April of this year, I was finally granted health and dental insurance because of the Affordable Care Act, or as many know it as "Obama Care". I was excited and very happy, because the past couple of years, my teeth started getting loose and one fell out in the bottom front and both my wisdom teeth came out. Fillings that I’ve had for over 50 years fell out and I desperately needed dental work.

By this time, I knew I had some type of gum disease and would more than likely lose all my teeth. Honestly, I sat down and cried about it for a minute, and then moved on. Good dental health is so much more important than holding on to failing teeth.

I called a highly recommended dental school and made an appointment in May. I also made an appointment for the first day my insurance kicked in with my primary physician, who I hadn’t seen in years.

Long story short…when the labs came back I was diagnosed with thyroid disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.

The Holy Spirit and I came up with a plan and then we let my doctor in on it. LOL! I only took the prescriptions for the thyroid, hypertension and a beta-blocker for my heart—due to the hypertension.

I made a drastic lifestyle change in my diet and exercise.

My first dental appointment had to be reschedule because my pressure was too high. My physician explained I would not be accepted into the program. We had to work on getting it lower.

In the beginning everything was going well. The weight was dropping off, I had more energy and then the heat of summer came and my numbers shot back up! Then another dental appointment went by the wayside. But this time I didn’t bother to reschedule. My doctor was increasing meds and my body wasn’t adjusting well.

To be honest and up front, I was tempted on more than one occasion to be upset with God. I didn’t understand? My mouth was getting worse and it was starting to affect my self-esteem and hinder my social life.

The scripture I have been standing on for this process is… And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, NIV) Because good dental health is not a desire, but a true need.

By faith I made another dental appointment for October 18^th. I had six weeks to get my pressure down. Even though I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to do that, when I had been doing everything humanly possible—but I believed!

I also stopped taking my blood pressure reading every day. (Please do not stop taking your readings if that is what your doctor prescribes.) I’m just sharing my journey. My reason was, the numbers were not so good. And to work as hard as I was, by watching what I was eating, and cooking healthy and exercising and not see the numbers drop significantly, was discouraging. So, by faith I stopped for a few weeks before my appointment, and trusted God I would be accepted in the program.

And there was more—I now carried a deep shame from the state of my teeth.

Well, October 18^th, was this past Tuesday—my pressure was really good and I was accepted into the program. I met the student who was going to make up my plan with the residents and doctors. I’m scheduled to go back this coming Tuesday and will be moving forward to a new chapter in life.

Praise God!

The exam and process was lengthy. I was in the dental chair for a little over 2 hours, and everyone who was part of the process (six people in all), were kind and very respectful. The Lord addressed the embarrassment and shame I felt with kindness and an overall general concern for my wellbeing.

And I must add the dentists were more than amazed I was not experiencing pain of any kind. (Again, God keeping me.)

Looking back over the past few months, I see how miserable I would have been had I started my dental work this summer as I had hoped. We had heat wave after heat wave. And the hotter it became, the more my pressure went up.

Also, my student dentist who is a junior was not there during the summer. And since I believe, I have the best they have to offer—he is also part of God’s plan and perfect timing.

You see sisters, when we are standing in faith—what we see in the natural has nothing to do with what God is supernaturally doing on our behalf. Even when we don't understand, we can't give up!

The issues my body struggled to overcome weren’t improving the way I wanted them too, and it looked as if I would never get my teeth done. And to top it off, the state of my mouth was getting worse.

There were days I really had to fight the good fight of the faith, and be encouraged by my dear friend and bible teacher. She kept reminding me of God’s faithfulness in my life and what my attitude should be if I really believed God’s Word.

Faith can be a tall order! And especially when what we see with our eyes translates into “It ain’t gonna happen!”

Paul gives us clear insight into how our faith should work. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 (NKJV)

 The Amplified translation is really good too. 17For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”

I love how it says, “Disclosed in a way that awakens more faith.” That’s the core of our going from faith to faith. It’s never the same. It should be bigger and stronger than last time. There are times we don’t so much need a miracle as we need to remember a miracle once had.

I pray that today’s blog is encouraging to anyone struggling to trust and wait on God’s perfect timing.

And if you don't have a written account of God's miracles, answers to prayers and faithfulness in your life, may I suggest you recall as many of them as you can and write them down. This will help you on those dark days you want to give up or move ahead of God. Amen!

Until next week,

Love and Hugs

Ponnie