Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what the fruit of the Spirit is. There is love, joy, peace…and then I always assumed that God skipped over the next piece of the fruit in me because I have never had much patience. As long as I can remember, I have been anxiously awaiting something and never with any amount of patience that is required. I have tried to remind myself of the cliché that life is more about the journey than the destination, but I still longed for the destination more than looking out at where I am now.
Growing older, I have seen that this rush through life, this impatiently waiting has allowed room for worry and fear to take root in my mind. I see this more in contrast to my ever flexible, patient and happy husband. Seeing the qualities I would rather have in him has caused me to evaluate and take to the Word of God to find change and healing.
One of my dear friends in the Old Testament is King Jehoshaphat. I love the richness of 2 Chronicles 20 and recently I have looked at this passage from a different angle. For me, it has been a story of God’s faithfulness and blessings in struggles. However, this time I have concentrated more on this king who was afraid (v. 3) and his reaction in the midst of fear as he was waiting for the problem to come.
Fear comes to me in so many different forms. Will the papers comes...will we have a third robbery this year...will there be enough support money to continue ministry...will we have the building to minister from and live in an-other month...will we be good parents...will the baby be healthy…??? And sometimes I feel as if I am drowning in the fear and exhausted by waiting to see the outcome.
When my friend Jehoshaphat was afraid, he turned to seek the Lord. In fear he prayed and fasted. He gathered everyone involved to pray and fast with him. He confessed that he didn’t have a clue what he could do and so he would just keep his eyes fixed on God (v. 12). And when the battle came, when the day of problems arrived, he worshipped and waited on God to take care of the problem (v. 21).
I have been soaking in that we who wait on the Lord will renew our strength. Waiting on God is refreshing! My daily prayer is to learn this truth. I don’t know how God will care for my future problems, but I am learning today how to keep my eyes on Him and worship in the wait. Instead of being conquered by my worries, I am learning to be renewed in my wait. I am no expert yet, but I have this feeling that God is about to show us amazing things in life, family, friendships and ministry that will be so worth my wait!