I'm Not the Only One Waiting

I have shared recently how I have a list of person prayer requests that I am waiting for an answer still. I've also written how over the last couple of years I have come to realize that waiting is a part of the Christian walk. It seems like every now and then there seems to be time when you find yourself waiting for God to guide you to the next step in life or for an answer to prayer.

In reading my devotional this morning, I was reminded that not only do I have to wait, but that God also waits as well.

"And therefore will the LORD wait that He may be gracious unto you,

 and therefore will He be exalted that He may have mercy upon you;

 for the LORD is a God of justice blessed are all they that wait for Him."

Isaiah 30:18

 

I had always thought how unfair it seemed how long we often times have to wait for our prayers to be answered. But after reading my devotional I realized that the truth is God's been waiting much longer on me. It took me so many years to realize my true need for Him and to learn the importance of surrendering my life and my will to Him. And in fact I am sure that He is still patiently waiting for me. He who began a good work in my is waiting for me to allow Him to take me to the next level.

 

As I think over my life I wish so much that I had have learned the concept of allowing God to guide and direct me so much sooner. The sad truth is that I can no say that I did not know because I remember my Daddy always praying for God to guide and direct him and I think I have done the same as well. But there is a big difference between just saying the words and really meaning them. And I am thankful that I had the example and began to ask for the guidance because even though I did not totally allow God to guide me- I was at least asking for it and after waited and waited and waited, I finally came into the understanding of surrendering my life to Him. I don't totally have it all figured out and I still struggle with holding onto things that I should have surrendered years ago, but I am thankful that I serve a Savior who is willing to wait for me. Praise be to God.

Want to Raise Your Happiness Level? part 2

Today I wanted to share one more pointer on how to raise your happiness level. Now onto what Mike Jones had to say in his book ~"Sometimes I Don't Feel Like Praying!"

 

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Focus on the vertical if you want to be happy.

We get out of balance and go sideways when we don't look up. Diane has a longtime friend who is chronically unhappy. She is totally focused on herself and on the horizontal. She resists Diane's attempts to point her to the vertical- the Lord- and prefers to talk about suicide or about committing herself to a mental institution.

Philippians 4:8-9 offers this good advice: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things....And he God of peace will be with you."

Focusing on the horizontal can drive us crazy. When I first started writing this book, the horizontal told me that I had significant health issues, a large tax bill I couldn't pay, and concerns over a son who was departing for a year in Afghanistan, leaving behind a wife and two young children.

Even now, the horizontal reminds me that Diane and I may have to sell our home and downsize, that a family member who refuses to quite smoking may have a life-threatening illness, and that our beautiful view of a tree nursery with Mount Hood as a backdrop may soon be lost to a housing development. I can go crazy if I focus on the horizontal. (By the way, many months have passed since I wrote the preceding sentences, and none of those things has occurred. Even my son who went to Afghanistan has now returned safely.)

So what does focusing on the vertical do for me? It tells me that I'm in a war, but that God is in charge, and that's enough.

Focusing on the vertical tells me that I've been saved for eternity through the blood of Jesus Christ, who died for my sins and who calls me one of His friends. Focusing on the vertical tells me that I don't need to sweat the small stuff- and everything is "small stuff" as long as I'm Jesus' friend.

Focusing on the vertical reminds me that someday I will sit with Jesus on His throne(see Revelation 3:21), assisting Him in the administration of the universe. (4) In light of all that lies ahead for us, the horizontal doesn't really matter all that much- not even if we die.

So be happy! Focus on the vertical, and let the Lord take care of the horizontal. He's up to it.

(4.) " 'He will put him in charge of all his possessions' " (Luke 12:44)
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