WAIT on the Lord

I want to shout from the rooftops how valuable it is to wait on the Lord. Trust in his timing, his plan. Listen to his voice, trust his word and his truth.

One of the first books of the Bible I started studying more deeply was the book of Joshua. It was after a women’s night at my church where the pastor’s wives challenged us to ask a woman with more experience to teach us how to study the Bible more deeply, so essentially disciple us. It was perfect timing. I was already wanting that so badly. So, right after our time in the word as a group, I went up to one of the wives, asked if she would have time to go through a book of the Bible with me and she said “yes” right away.

Away we went meeting weekly to discuss chapter by chapter the book of Joshua. She encouraged me, she asked me good questions and always left me with a “next step” to practice and try for the week ahead. Thank you, Katie!

Trusting God’s timing, as I look back, during this season of learning how to study God’s word and being poured into was one of much growth and strengthening by the Lord. At the time, I didn’t fully realize and know what a precious gift Katie was giving me.  She gave me her time. She invested in me. You see it was a pivotal time in my life. She was helping to lay the foundation. I was in a dating relationship, actually with my ex-fiancé, who was very controlling and manipulative. I did not know the training in God’s word would be so powerful when I was faced with untruth and tough decisions. Because I was digging into God’s word regularly and standing on his truth, I believe I was able to be strong and courageous.

At the end of our time with Katie, she gave me a bracelet that said,

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9

Wow! This verse, this truth, though popular, it was so pivotal in my faith journey. God had gently helped me take big leaps of faith thus far in my story of becoming a believer.  At this point in my life, I was battling, much like Joshua, to keep focused on God’s words, his truth. Much like Joshua, I wanted so badly to follow Jesus and do as he was instructing. To be strong and courageous. What I deeply learned in this time was that I couldn’t be strong and courageous without the Lord. I needed to wait on the Lord. It was because of him, his Spirit in me that I was able to hear the Lord clearly and trust in his plan through the darkness, fear and chaos of the relationship and engagement I was in.

God gave me courage to say “no” even after I had said “yes” to marry this man. Sidenote: probably not a great time to propose to your future wife after a fight at a dinner date. And for you women desiring so badly to get married, it is okay to say “no” when asked if you are unsure. And even if the moment gets to you and you say “yes” first, you can, that’s a capitol CAN say “no” after you are engaged. When I reflected on that moment and realized I had said “yes” to marry someone who belittled and cut me down just moments before asking me to marry him, I remembered God’s truth. He is with me wherever I go. I knew it would be hard to break off the engagement and heal from the hurt I had experienced, but God was preparing me for that moment in time. To be strong and courageous in him. He IS always and forever with you, cheering you on. Fighting the battle for you and so am I!

If you are wanting to know how to study God’s word, send me a message, I would love to process with you to help you find a community of believing women or a woman who would be delighted to study with you. You see, after that first connection with Katie, I have since studied God’s word in many ways. What is beautiful is that when you study in community, everyone learns about who God is because we get to not only learn from his word, but we also get to see others walking out their faith in real life. A front row seat. So beautiful! So powerful.

In Him,

Andrea

Blogger note: What I love about writing is that I can look back and see the growth God has done in my life and when I find blogs that I started years ago, like this one found on my desktop from 2023. It is so awesome of the Lord to continue stretching us in different circumstances but similar ways throughout the years. I laughed when I opened this gem, because I was very much meditating and clinging to Proverbs 19:21 today, the verse of the day because of what I am walking through right now. A true testimony that God's word is living and active in our lives and that he is with us wherever we go!