Waiting When the Season Is Long

It has been a long time since I last wrote, just shy of two years. They have been a long two years. While there have been many times of joy and laughter, there have been many hard times, times of sorrow, hurt, and prolonged illness. 

Most recently, I have had nearly a full year of one health struggle after another on top of regular life challenges, struggles and challenges that affect every part of my life and will be life-changing. These struggles have caused isolation, loneliness, and waiting. There is not an end in site as of yet.

It has been some of the hardest life lessons that I have been through; it has been some of the most cherished times in my life as God draws me close to Him. Some of the most painful times have also become the most precious as God closed one door and opened another. 

While I am finally seeing some improvement and positive changes in circumstances, there are weeks, possibly months, of recovery ahead. I wish I could say that I have and will always handle these things well, but, that would not be the truth. 

The times have been hard. So... how do we handle these times, waiting for God to work? 

We wait with courage and strength, waiting on the Lord. 
Psalm 27:14 HCSB, 

"Wait for the Lord;

be strong[a] and courageous.

Wait for the Lord."

We seek the Lord while we wait.
Lamentations 3:25 HCSB,

"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

to the person who seeks Him."

We are steadfast, while we wait.
James 1:12 HCSB,

"A man who endures trials[a] is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God[b] has promised to those who love Him."

We are content, while we wait.
Philippians 4:11-13 HCSB,

"11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him[a] who strengthens me."

We hope in His Word, while we wait.
Psalm 130:5 HCSB,

"I wait for Yahweh; I wait

and put my hope in His word."

We pray, praise, and sing, while we wait.
Acts 16:25 HCSB,

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."

Did you notice how amazing God is in these verses? He is trustworthy. He is working in the waiting. He is still praise-worthy.

And so... while I wait for this struggling season to end, there is much to do.