Wait

The world's condition is taxing. Those of us who profess to be followers of Jesus know we should be joyful, because Jesus has given us fair warning about this already. He even promises us that all the "stuff" we encounter in this life is incapable of harming us (John 16:33, Amplified). I have it on good authority that this will be a breakout year for the people of faith. Kenneth Copeland prophesied that in 2011 "every thing will be all right;" Mike and Kay Martin shared a word from the Lord over their partners (which Ally and I are) concerning this being a time where all preparations will come into fruition; God Himself told me to expect to see more victories in the year 2011. Sounds good to me. God is saying things like this throughout the world. His Word declares it over and over. Trials will come. The end times get crazy. But, be of good cheer. However, when I look around the church world - when I listen to words spoken at my church, when I talk to other Christians, when I read their Facebook stati (my made-up word, plural for 'status') I see one thing: stress.

Why are we struggling with burn out? Why are we battling so hard to stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (like Ephesians 6:10 commands us to)? a lot of everyday Christians are battling with cares that they never should battle with, and I am no different... So, what do we do? The answer is oddly simple: wait.

Isaiah 40:31 says, "yet those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength." The 'waiting' is to sit and expectantly listen for the Lord. When we are tired (emotionally, physically and especially spiritually) the rest that we need is not found in the manner most Christians go after. We like to 'veg,' to sit and rest while watching a movie or browsing mindless internet articles. We want to let our minds and bodies stop. However, that does not refresh us the way we need. For many of us, or overall exhaustion and burnout is a result of a lack of spirit strength in the first place. Our spirit needs nourishing just as our bodies do, in some cases more-so. Likewise, our spirits need "spiritual rest' as well. That's what I am addressing now. Those who sit and wait upon the Lord are the ones who find time (or make it) to sit alone and listen. I find it is best to start with a simple prayer of praise and worship, then some time praying in the spirit in order to settle my mind and natural senses. Then, I sit. Today I needed that more than I have in some time. While I was sitting in my living rom floor, the Lord impressed the song "I wait for the Lord" upon my heart. I looked up this passage in Isaiah, and some others I am about to share. He wants us to stop and wait in His presence - not stop thinking and crash on our couches. Our spirit strength is what will cause our physical strength to rise up the fastest. Our peace is found when we stop and wait in His presence. Our minds are running wild, and it is causing us more stress than we are designed to carry. The reason we do not have the strength we desire from God is because we rarely give them the opportunity to give it to us! I know most Christians believe that if God is going to give them strength all He need do is wave his "God-Wand" and we would have it. However, that is not what the Scriptures say. They instruct us to wait patiently on Him (to look to, hope in, and meditate on His Word).  Then we will be given new strength.

I suggest that you find a specific time and place each day (for those of you with unbalanced schedules, you have my regards; those things can be lethal to the man or woman of God in this area), and allow time for God to give you a hug in your spirit. Pray in the spirit to calm down your natural senses. Those of you who do not have that gift yet, find a good church that doesn't deny its power, or come talk to me. Then wait in the presence of God and let Him fill you with fresh energy. This is a crucial area that many Christians are missing it in. We need spiritual strength if we are going to persevere to do all that God calls us to do in these last days. Many of us are stressed out, burnt out, confused or ill-informed, and we need God more than any other time before us. The strength and comfort we need is found when we actually stop long enough for the Holy Spirit to minister to us. So, turn off all the outside noises, go sit alone, and give the Lord time to take all the pressures of this life off of you. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:29-30); so if you are still operating under the burdens and stresses of this life, then you are not walking out the Will of God for your life. Cast your cares on Him; spend time with Him long enough to take them and replace them with his peace.

Other Verses on Waiting:
~"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him" Psalm 37:7a
~"Evildoers will be cut off; but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land" Psalm 37:9
~"The Lord favors those who fear Him; those who wait for His lovingkindness" Psalm 147:11
~"Wait for the lord and He will save you" Proverbs 20:22b
~"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him" Lamentations 3:25