When The Wait Begins

201 Comments

1. Wendy, I’ve been waiting for 20 yrs for the desires of my heart. He brought the person back after 13 yrs and he’s back out again. Like you, my dream has always been to be a wife and mother. I married the first person to ask me and that person took away my chances to be a Mom. 20 yrs ago was the divorce and I have to ask..what did I do that I don’t deserve my dreams? Why do I have to settle for being single with a career, btw I never wanted one. I have always been told that God’s plans for your life are always better than you could ever imagine..that God doesn’t want you to be miserable. Well, I am and God isn’t helping it. I have to wonder is it worth it? Help me find the answers pls

   1. I understand. It can be so hard. My sis told me just yesterday, “Satan has you where he wants you.” Yikes! So true. I have Priscilla Shrier’s( sp) BS “The Armour or God”, so Iearned how to put His Armour on and I did just that. It is protection He provided for us.

2. I think the hardest thing about waiting is struggling to discern whether what we’re waiting for is actually one of God’s “purposes” for us or just something we want.

   Definitely interested in this book!

3. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be a mom- I love kids and long to hold them, rock them, cuddle them, kiss them, and teach them about Jesus. My husband and I have been married for nearly 10 years and still no babies. We walked the long road of domestic infant adoption and it ended with no baby. We are currently foster parents to two siblings: 21 months and 4 1/2 months, but they leave our care only after a short 11 weeks. I feel like God is ignoring my plea and my desire to be a mom. But I am reminded that God is good all the time and that every good and perfect gift is from him- even if it is temporary. I cannot wait to read this book!

   1. I am right there with you, fellow Sarah! My husband and I are coming up on 8 years of marriage, and we’ve been fostering for 3 1/2 years. We don’t feel called to private adoption but had hoped to adopt from the system as I too struggle with infertility. Our placement of nearly two years left in August, and I miscarried in June after a complete and total shock of a pregnancy. I was 12 weeks along and had just started telling everyone…It was devastating! We are preparing to close our license when our current one expires early December. Just not sure where to turn, what my next steps are. We so badly want a forever family. Each birthday gets harder and harder…

      1. How long will it take to “get over” a placement leaving? My heart is so broken and I feel so alone. It seems like the only people who really understand are those who have been there. It feels like a death- waiting for the morning to come when the joy will return.

         1. I think it’s so different for everyone! We took a very long real after our first placement… Prayer sure helps!

4. The Encouragement for Today daily devotion said to check out your blog to sign up for a chance to win a free copy of this book. I do not see where I can apply, please advise. This is definitely a book I need right now in life, I’ve been waiting over 10 years for my heart’s strongest desires and I often question if it was God who put them there or not. The wait is grueling at times. I try so hard to keep the faith, but as each year passes, I begin to lose hope.

   1. It says to leave a comment, if you want a chance to win the book. You did that. Signing up is for the study.
      http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/

   2. I often wonder if my heart’s desire is of my doing or God’s doing- especially when I continue to wait and never see it coming to pass. My mother in law always says “if you can’t have your wants, change them.” That’s so much easier to say than to do.

5. I have been waiting for my marriage to be restored. It has been a very difficult 15 months.

   1. been waiting a long time for restoration in my marriage too.

      1. I am also waiting and believing for restoration of my marriage. It is a hard road but believe this is where I am suppose to be. It doesn’t make it any easier especially when you see nothing happening. I know we walk by faith and not by sight so I hang on to that promise.

6. I once again find myself in a place where I am waiting on God and depending upon His will and timing. I know He must think I’m a slow learner in the area of exercising patience. I know God is in control but I am often tempted to want to take the reigns from Him. Lord, may I be joyful while I wait on you.

7. These are definitely some grasping stories…would love to know the endings from your book.
   I guess as many others I feel like my life has been put on hold and I am not sure why. I need to develop some maturity in trusting God no matter what (even if He does not give me the desires of my heart. I know He knows them, but will He grant them?..these are some hard realities that I am sure many of us have to deal with).
   Would love to read the book and hopefully also wise up thru the book study!

8. hey Wendy!! Amazing woman you are. This forum has become a blessing to me in time of need.I am going through a season of strife. This weeks “Encouragement for today” has been me me me! I have been waiting on God and sometimes i almost give in to the devils tricks of thinking God is not even able. I am 27,dating a younger man 26. I prayed about it and i kept hearing God say i wait on not to let go. so i pushed on. He is unbearable sometime. He got born again much late after me, i loved some characters in him that is why i felt he would be my spouse. so then time into dating, i notice some few things that he will not accept. like he would complement other girls and rarely notice a nice thing on me, he is not a family person, sometime i thing he is selfish or loves self much, he seems shy so am confused whether it is the cause for such. we have come along way into humility and letting God be our guide. He is the only child after loosing his only sister to an accident, i have become soo close to the mum that she is the reason sometimes why i hold on to him. i have been waiting soo long 5 years now for this man to become the one i desire to be the father of my kids and to lead me into godliness. He has changed a bit, but i love him much, i still see some hope. the question is i dont know how much to wait for transformation, i dont want to leave him either, and sometimes i wonder if he is Gods will really coz he hurts me with words and deeds. I dont know if i over expect on him. i just dont know. am waiting on God. i look forward to reading the book.

   1. Ruthie, I would suggest seeing a Christian marriage counselor. My husband and I have very different communication styles. Between his ADHD and my depression we have missed out many years in connecting. Now, I have learned to lean on God to meet many of my needs, when I start going down the wrong road. And yes, Satan is very good at putting doubts and wrong thoughts in our heads. Our counselor helps us to see where our different styles, (which we learned through our past baggage) and how to overcome them, to be able, to be on the same wavelength. My husband is learning about priorities and I’m learning to be less resentful of waiting. He is on the fence about believing.
      We are watching “Marriage Today” with Jimmy and Karen Evans on Daystar. What we like about Pastor Jimmy is his male mistakes, he made in his marriage and how God convicted him. But he teaches God’s instructions on marriage for both sides in a marriage, in order for the relationship to work.
      My husband and I both agree, because of the communications problems, we are going through, both our sons will go through premarital counseling before they marry. It really helps to get all your kinks worked out, before you say, I do. Hugs sister.

   2. Wooow?!! Thanks Debbie! am grateful that you took time to respond to my story. thank you and God bless you. I thought because we are not married yet, i should wait and see his commitment to propose, then is he does, we can see a marriage counselor before marriage and have time to pray with one committed mind. Amazingly we also listen to Pastor jimmy and Karen on radio though! such a blessed couple and we learn. keep praying with us. bless you.

   3. Ruthie, i’ve learned seek God 1st as you have, then seek Godly council from your Pastor or a mentor in your church. Sometimes it takes different perspectives of God working thru people to get the answer your “willing to hear”.;Love as God intended should not hurt you.

9. Waiting…..I don’t do it well and therefore, it seems that God is definitely working on my patience and maturity. It has been so long….I’m not sure any more how long. It feels like forever, but I am prone to exaggeration. I am just SO tired. I would love to win a copy of the book. Thank you for sharing. Your personal wait for your husband’s healing hits right where I am, and I would love to hear about a happy ending as I continue to wrestle with my lack of trust and patience through many years of praying and waiting for answers and healing. Blessings to you and your family.

10. I so needed your proverbs 31 devotion today and your blog. After waiting for so long for my only grandchild , now 2, that was finally conceived by Ivf and all of us hoping and praying they could move close by , that door was shut this week. Moving from another state back to near the family seemed like a solution to so many things not to mention the joy it would have brought to all of us. I am so incredibly sad.
    So it is back to waiting again to see what Gods plan is- even in the hard.
    Looking forward to reading your book and seeking His timing and plan for me/us.

11. I prayed to God to become a teacher. My son had lost his dad at 6yrs of age so changing careers would be a great way to spend eztra time with him. God granted my request. I have worked at the worst middle school going on 4 years! No NOTHING like I imagined. Close colleagues have prayed and God moved them up and out to better places or different careers. The kids don’t care about education only foolishness. They come because they have to, plain and simple. Teachers are threatened and disrespected daily. I dread going each day. My son turns 19 yrs old today and I don’t have to be off in the summer anymore. I want to go back to corporate but am scared of making the wrong choice like I did about this school. The message and book are right on time for me right now. I just want to be happy again.

    1. Have you considered working at a private, special needs or Christian school?

       1. Cathy, have you read the “Yada Yada Prayer Group” by Neta Jackson. The main character is a teacher who use in live in the suburbs of Chicago, and because of her husbands job, they came to live inside what is called the Loop. (Not the best area at night), where she became a third grade teacher in a very poor, diverse school. In the story and through her prayer group, she learns through God, to spend time at each child’s desk, praying over them, before she has to collect them when the start bell rings. I had never heard of that before, but it made sense to me once I read it. And just recently God opened my eyes to what Priscilla Shirier (War Room) said about we aren’t fighting flesh and blood, but an invisible evil spiritual world. And the best way to fight that is prayer. I’ve been waiting a long time and still am not sure what God’s designs are for me, but in this wait, I am learning more and more about Him and my inner self. I’m learning it’s not about me, it’s about Him. That’s a hard thing to get through my head, much more into my heart and soul. Wendy’s book is helping.

12. I haven’t been reading my proverbs 31 devotion lately, but as I can’t sleep for the second night in a row wondering what God is up to I check my email and there it is staring me in the face…..waiting. I read other comments and see my wait of a year is not long in comparison to some. My husband and I have been waiting on healing , a new job, and our home to sell. We are thankful that my cancer is stable and not growing. We have had many prayers answered along our journey, it feels like God is closing doors right now instead of opening them. Trying to understand His plan while we wait……

13. I can relate with some “waiting” stretches in my family. Would love to read the book!

14. Applying the principal of waiting well….hmm that IS my problem. I don’t wait ‘WELL’. Thats a fruit of The Spirit! Patience along with kindess and gentleness…I lack all of the above…
    Dear God help me to learn….understand… gain wisdom… or whatever it is I need to apply ‘well’ this waiting principle. Your Presence, Lord is what I need..Remembering You are with me no matter what.. Acting out in The Spirit, in truth.
    Thanks for praying with and for me. For all women who desire to be Proverbs 31 women.

15. I have had some type of static colongoing on 4 years and each day the Ain and issues rattle me and my emtions. It’s difficult to be in pain every day. Some days are better than others the wait has been long.

16. Waiting !!! I see it am in good company not loving it most days I don’t even like it, but God through the barren womb and the years of physical pain I see Him working Oh not in the day to day because I am to selfish to worry about what my heart wants not what God wants for me but as I stop and look back over the months of physical and emotional pain Oh how can I not see Him loving me holding me carrying me when I can’t walk as I cry out to Him, He shows me He is always there for me even when I choose to focus on my circumstances instead of His love and His will for my life !!! Waiting is not fun and after years I must make sure I don’t miss what He wants me doing right now for Him so that I am ready if or when my God gives me the desires of my heart!!! Looking forward to the book and the study!! Thanks

17. One of the things that is hard about waiting is holding onto hope. Sometimes you feel as if keeping hoping means keeping getting hurt when you keep getting disappointed. But then I remember the hall of faith in Hebrews 11 and I want to be like Sarah who considered him faithful who had made the promise (Heb 11:11). I remember Abraham who against all hope (or even when there was no reason for hope), in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” I want to please God with my heart, I want to consider him faithful who made the promise – I realise that if I gave up hope, I would be doubting God and hardening my heart – I would be insulting his character, accusing his faithfulness and not trusting Him.

    Another thing that’s hard is when you start to doubt the promise. You get your head and heart to the point where you are in faith and refusing to doubt God’s faithfulness and integrity – you believe it will happen one day all in God’s timing. And then the enemy comes in and whispers “Did God really say……” Just like he did Genesis 3:1 You start thinking “Were all those prophetic words from God in the first place?”

    Another thing that’s hard is resisting the temptation (or sometimes just pressure from other people) to try to make things happen yourself. Even when you’ve determined in yourself that you won’t try to do a Hagar, often there is pressure from other people to do a Hagar. It’s hard when you can’t explain to other people (especially non-Christians) why you are having to wait so long. Waiting is not understood by the secular world. The saying “Good things come to those who wait.” is now being replaced with “Good things come to those who go out and get them.” People pressure you with reminders about how short life is and how you should go and make things happen for yourself. When you try to explain that you are waiting on God they just think you are going to miss out because of it and you feel they are saying “Well if your God is so good, why are you still waiting?” But his thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). God doesn’t seem to have any issue with long waits – the wait might look like a waste to some people but I think it’s when he does his deepest work in our hearts.

    1. I so hear you, Lynsey.

       1. Yes Lynsey! Completely understand! Time is nothing to God!

18. Waiting is one of the hardest things we have to do. While we wait we can read God’s word and pray. I do get impatient at times, but in the end you know Romans 8:28 works out. Also I am reminded of Mr. Roger’s waiting song.

    1. Elsie, you put a smile on my face. Mr Roger’s song.

       1. Thank you On PBS ,
          they have an animated series for children called Daniel Tiger which is a part of Mr. Rogers legacy. Daniel Tiger sings the song. Our grandson loves the program and I also like it.

19. I would love to win a copy of this book! I too know the long enduring path of waiting. The hardest part is keeping your heart open to the Lord and trusting in His faithfulness.

20. As I read the earlier comments, I am reminded of all of the blessings in my life. Our family is currently in a season of waiting for a possible job change and move away from the area we’ve always called home. Not knowing where we’re going to end up and repeated doors being closed has been difficult, but I am trying to find peace with the fact that God loves us and has plans to prosper, not harm us.

21. Wow!!! I am so glad to have received a glimpse of waiting from other people to know that I am not alone. The waiting is hard. I doubt Him, I have become angry with Him, I have even thought of how I could “help” Him with this process. It is so good to realize I am not the only one in this struggle. I am defiantly interested in this bible study. Thank you for your story. ?

22. After a long road of escaping from an abusive relationship, building a safe life for my children and myself I am still left empty. Every day I greet God asking for His will to be my desires yet I am still coming up short. I need direction to take my mind from these earthly desires and focus on God’s plan which I know will be the most wonderful. I hope to win a copy of your book to help fix my mind on this long journey.

    1. Oh Whitney, I have been in your shoes. I escaped with a son 6mo.old and that was 34 yrs ago. Be patient, focus on God and what he wants for you and your children now, he does have a plan. For me it was learn who I was & who he wanted me to be. I did not even date for 5yrs until I felt I had grown up enough and knew what God wanted for me. It was NOT easy by any means, alot of lonely times but being in an abusive relationship is much lonelier. Hang in there. I found God to be true to his word and i’ve been married to an awesome man for 32yrs now.

23. Waiting is difficult because I tend to look at myself and wonder what I need to do differently. At this time in my life, it is truly an exercise in resting on God and His purpose, because from a human perspective it would have been okay to give up long ago. But God…..is able, is good, is holy, is just, is loving, is omniscient, is my guide……

24. I NEED this book. I need the encouragement and to know that I’m not alone or forgotten.

25. Sometimes I wonder if the wait is a comma or a period. If it is God saying wait or no, I have something better. Would love the opportunity to win the book.

    1. Hi Karen,

       You have been selected to win a free signed copy of Wendy Pope’s Wait and See. To receive your copy, please email wendy at [email protected] with your name and address, so she can send you a copy. Congratulations, you are gonna love this book!

       1. Hi Wendy!

          Thank you for selecting me to win a copy of your book. I can’t wait to receive it. I believe God has something in it just for me. 🙂 He knows what I need. God bless you.

          Warmly in Christ,
          Karen

26. I’ve been waiting to find my other half…the man who God has chosen for me. One that will bring out the best in me, and one who I can build a strong, Christian home with. I’m just so tired of being hurt…

27. I’ve been waiting to find my other half…the man who God has chosen for me. One that will bring out the best in me, and one who I can build a strong, Christian home with. I’m just so tired of being hurt…

28. Yes, the waiting is really, really hard!
    Continue to need patience and wisdom.

29. Congratulations on this day for you Wendy. I am getting to Know my heavenly Father more and more as I wait for the things He has placed on my heart.

30. For me the hardest wait is for my daughter to come closer to God and to be happy. She was recently diagnosed with epilepsy at age 25, started a new job, has no friends, no dates, and can’t even drive to be able to go somewhere to meet people. God said He doesn’t want people to be alone, but she is very alone and is starting to doubt God loves her or that he has a plan for her. Her depression is getting worse, and as her mom I sometimes find myself sharing her doubts. I would love to read your book to find more support for these difficult times.

31. My husband and I have been waiting 15 months for our house to sell so we can move closer to our children. Everything lined up well prior to putting our house on the market, I retired from my job and we located a new place of employment for both of us in the new location. We began the first day with prayer asking God to bring the buyer. Now 15 months later I especially am struggling to wait for God’s timing. I believe this book is written to guide me. I can’t wait to read it!

    1. Dear Risa, Be strong in hope & faith now more then ever, search God’s word everyday for wisdom. His word is the only sword you have to face the evil that’s trying to hurt your family, take his words to slay the enemy! Even if it’s “I’am the righteousness of God thru the blood of Jesus Christ” the enemy hates the use of the blood. In your weakest moments shout those words over & over and give those words to your precious daughter, he chose YOU to be her mother for a reason stand on that and believe it!!!! You will get thru this God promises..

32. Waiting on God and His will for our life is the hardest thing to do. Knowing His will is even harder. As we wait He puts us where He wants us on our knees and growing closer to Him. Waiting is hard but also a sweet time with the Lord. When you reflect back you see His hand in each day. Can’t wait to read this and see God’s hand in your life.

33. I’ve been divorced 6 years and struggling and working hard to raise 2 children. It’s not easy bearing ALL of the burdens of 2 parents financially, emotionally or physically. I’ve convinced myself to be content to be alone and do whatever it takes to make it work. Deep in my heart I want a companion and a person to share my life with, as now my kids are older and I am getting my life / time back soon. Finances are a burden every day… I ask God, why… why is it so hard .. when he knows and sees that I am just 1 person, 1 single woman.. left to do so much, handle so much and bear all the burdens by myself! It’s too hard alone and I pray for companionship and financial relief break through .. although I survive I know it’s is because of his provisions every day. He makes a way, this I know… but I can’t believe this life is meant to be so hard all the time… everyday. Waiting for relief, waiting for a companion, waiting for Financial freedom and just waiting for a break through is so hard. So I pray for strength to wait on His timing and his plan. I have faith that He has something great for me soon… I don’t want my dreams to wither away and leave me hopeless.

34. I understand, currently going through the process of waiting myself. Feels like over 40 and still unmarried is definitely unfair. I still don’t understand, but I am grateful on the hard days for what God has kept me from.

35. I have been waiting for over 8 years for the resolution to a legal matter that has overturned my life. Finding peace and contentment by doing what God has called me to do while stuck in the “waiting room” has been a blessing, however I still ask why is it taking so long. Looking forward to the upcoming study and reading your book.

36. waiting can be so hard. what we wait for can consume us and become our focus instead of God. God has showed in the wait to focus on Him, giving thanks for all the blessing and love He places on me in the wait. I am learning to lean on Him, focus on what He is doing in the wait in me, through me, for me, with me…

37. Waiting is hard for me, since I am not sure sometimes if what I am waiting is Gods purpose or plan.
    I just try to be about my Fathers business in the wait.
    Kim

38. Waiting is hard because I wonder that maybe it means God’s answer is no.

39. It is definitely hard to wait, and although I haven’t experienced those situations, I know what it’s like to blame God and wonder when or if things will get better. I look forward to reading your book!

40. I am excited about this book. Our family has been in the adoption process for almost 6 years. after feeling God lead us in this direction we applied to adopt from Honduras being told that it would be really quick. Probably about 1 year to 1 1/2 Years. Fast forward over 5 years later we finally received a referral of 2 beautiful siblings. Now we wait after a brief 1 week visit with them this summer to bring them home. This wait has been even harder than the first 5 years. I keep coming back to this thought. God has an A plan and this is it! We know He has a reason for this wait but don’t understand and we don’t know if we will ever know the reason for this wait. I do know that I have become more dependant on God and prayer over this journey and for that reason I wouldn’t change our journey!

41. Waiting! The hardest thing for someone to do. I am waiting for restoration of my marriage. It is so hard to wait on God’s word and to be patient when I feel like I need to control or handle the situation for a final decision. I know I am to wait on the Lord and that is where the enemy tries me. Please pray for my marriage and my wait.

42. This is just the book/ study I need. Right now, I’m dealing with several life issues and praying for God’s guidance. Learning more about His timing would be helpful.

43. Ive been a missionary for 5 years most of the time in Asia, and I have returned home burnt out, it feels like God is silent, I am waiting on the Lord to restore me and help me to know why it was soo hard on the mission field, whist knowing his plan. Please pray for me as I transition and adjust. I would love to read the book to be encouraged.

44. I have just recently lost my dream job, my innocence through sexual assault, my one true love and will soon be losing my home and car if I don’t find employment soon. I have been on the verge of losing my faith. I have been doubting God’s love for me and believing He provides for his children. I am at my lowest point ever in my 51 years of life on this earth.

45. It is very hard to wait. Is this God’s will or am I making it up. So that I get what I want and not what is really needed.

46. I am waiting on my husband to establish a relationship with God. Just came through a health scare and thought he had taken a step in that direction but now I’m not sure.

47. I think you said it best in your post this morning but my biggest struggle is wondering whether or not my desires are in line with God’s will…I trust God will provide the best for me and my husband but what if I’m praying, hoping and waiting for the children God may not even be planning for us? Thank you for your story and encouragement – it was much needed at the exact right moment!

48. I think it’s hard to wait because life has become full of instant moments. We have instant information at our fingertips, instant pictures, instant alerts, and on it goes. Waiting is hard even when our faith is secure. We know God can do what we ask in an instant and it is tough to wait when He doesn’t do so.

49. A song I recently heard that speaks to me through my waiting includes a line…You are God and I am not. There is so much we do not and may never know about God’s timing and plans for our lives. My husband and I too struggle with infertility, our most recent round of treatment ended in a miscarriage this summer. For me, the difficult part of waiting depends on the day…sometimes it is keeping the hope, sometimes it is reigning in the anger and sometimes it is hard to intentionally live a joy- filled life. To know God wants me to be filled with joy just because I am hid daughter. This book sounds like one I can relate to in this season of my life.

    1. Hi Sarah,

       You have been selected to win a free signed copy of Wendy Pope’s Wait and See. To receive your copy, please email wendy at [email protected] with your name and address, so she can send you a copy. Congratulations, you are gonna love this book!

50. Thank you, Wendy! The hardest part of waiting, to me, is the fear. I fear if I’m missing out on other opportunities that God has for me. I fear that I may have misunderstood the calling from God. I fear that I’m not doing my part of the bargain. But God frees us from this fear if we put our faith in Him. I work on this daily, but there are times when fear does creep back in.

51. Thank you… Words for my journey as I am sure most everyone!!

52. I can relate to waiting and struggling with “why.” I’m eager to read the book.

53. Like most women, the desire of my heart was to be a wife and mother. That was taken away when I was divorced 33 years ago; I was left to raise my daughter on my own and wondered “who would want a divorced women with a child?” I spent those 33 years raising her and then transitioned into taking care of my parents prior to their passing. I now struggle with the loneliness of not having that long time companion (read husband) who would know me and be with me. I feel like I don’t fit in anywhere, including my church that I have been a member of for 30 years. I am striving to have a deeper relationship with my Lord and to trust His timing. This book and OBS sounds like just what I need during this point in my life.

54. I immediately signed up for this OBS! I have been waiting for my dreams to be fulfilled for 10 years. God has been faithful. I keep hearing “wait”..I just need to know what I am waiting for….my dreams or something else God has planned. Not knowing what you are waiting for makes it harder.

55. I have always struggled with waiting, I too had trouble conceiving, and the Lord just wanted me to have the second child because I was not ovulating. Praise God for my children and now grandchildren. I am expecting another in November and so excited to see him.
    Again waiting is hard!!!!

56. My family and I had the opportunity to move from CO to OK for my husband’s job. We covered every step in prayer and God opened every single door. As reluctant as I was to move, I was sure he was leading us here. Now, ALL of or family (on both sides) has moved within 30 minutes of each other in CO and my heart aches for home. I wonder why God would have moved us out here if it was going to be so hard to be away from everyone. I still don’t feel like I have found my true purpose out here and I am so torn on what is best for our family. I am desperately waiting on God to either give me a peace about living here, or give us an opportunity to move home. Your devotion today was so encouraging. I know this is a time for me to strive to experience God rather than endure the wait for his answer and direction.

57. I think the hardest thing about waiting is also waiting as a person employed in ministry. My husband and I are both private school teachers as well as youth ministers at our church. We live two hours away from my parents and he has no communication with his. We have been trying to conceive but have had no luck as we both approach 30 years old. He’s also a full-time seminary student. People just don’t realize how lonely and displaced ministers and their wives feel as they move from place to place. I’ve had to watch my younger brother and his wife both succeed financially while getting pregnant after one month of trying. I don’t want to live in this town and it seems all I do is wait. Wait for a child. Wait for my husband to graduate school. Wait for a better job to come calling. I really needed today’s proverbs 31 devotion because I realized I’ve been ignoring God because of how cheated I feel. Though I feel this way, I know God’s plans are better and I just have to continue waiting. As a person in a place of great ministry influence and leadership both in my job and at church, I really need the encouragement of this book. I hope to win it. Thank you for sharing this!

58. For me, the hardest thing about waiting is the constant “pricking” in my heart that maybe I could do something more, something different. It’s like a nagging voice in the back of my head that wonders if I’m not prepared for what I’m waiting on, so maybe I should do something about it instead of just waiting. Really, it’s a scramble for control over a situation that I have NO control over. Yet when I see friends and family – especially those younger than me – get married, I start thinking that there’s something wrong with me, and that’s why I haven’t met anyone. I truly believe that I’ll be a wife someday…but there are days, and weeks, when it’s like watching sands in an hourglass slowly run out.

    1. Stephanie, I know first-hand how difficult the waiting is for the man God has for you. Take heart, dear sister, as you pray and trust in the Lord. This is a special time for you as God prepares YOUR HEART for what lies ahead. I know it’s difficult but please try to not rush Him along. All will work out in His perfect timing. God brought me an amazing, Godly man (after 2 failed marriages). But I had to wait and pray. What God did for me, He will do for you! Blessings to you, Stephanie!???

59. Ohhhh, how I despise waiting… I’m completely the Type-A take-charge personality and I frequently find myself using my prayer time to outline a project plan to God – “Let me give you a little constructive feedback here because I think it would work better if….” But the waiting time can be so sweet – such a wonderful opportunity to draw nearer to God and grow your trust in Him. It is a complete discipline, one in which I fail frequently, and one I could really focus on during this season of my life. Thank you for your heart!

60. The most difficult part about waiting for my is keeping the devils chatter out of my head and remaining focused on the steadfast love of Jesus. I wake up in the morning confident in the Lords grace and love and then as the day goes on the thoughts of failure, rejection and hurt from others actions or words can overwhelm my peace in God.

    1. Oh how I hear you on this one- struggling with negative self talk this weekend as I wait, not so patiently, on the Lord’s timing in my life. I am reminded to think on things that are “true”- nothing that comes from the pit of hell are true.

61. Wendy,
    Thank you for sharing this devotion today. I am in a time of waiting on the Lord and my anxiety level has been elevated lately as I find myself going in so many directions. I feel as if I am doing so much that I cannot do any ONE thing well. I believe God may be calling me to give something up but I am not sure what that is. The things I do I love doing but in all the “doing”, I am losing precious time w the Lord. Can anyone relate to this?…. So thank you for sharing! I love the quote about experiencing God in the wait instead of just enduring. I have been enduring…now it’s time to just be still and experience God and all He has for me in this moment.
    God bless you, Wendy and your ministry!

62. Wendy, so excited!
    I have read the word with you each morning since the videos started..
    You are part of my life, and have taught me so much..
    Thank you,
    Joanne

63. I’ve been waiting and praying for 5yrs to have a child. I cried as I read your devotional today. As I went to the bathroom today, the first thought was “You’re never going to have a baby”. I had my quiet time with the Lord and decided to read this devotional and just seeing the title of it brought me back to my desire to have children. I was so surprised to see that infertility was the very topic you spoke of! God encouraged me that it isn’t that I can’t have children or that He doesn’t want me to, it is just all in His timing. That alone is painful to endure, but like you said, I don’t want to endure the wait, I want to enjoy God and the life I have right now! You may still not know why He made you wait, but I have a feeling that this book is one reason. So that He can encourage other’s through your story! God bless you

    1. Melissa, I was age thirty nine and forty one when my boys arrived. I’m sixty four and the first one isn’t close to marriage and the other isn’t really dating yet. My joke is I will be over seventy by the time I become a Grandma. But I want them married first. God has His own way of getting it done, so I get the waiting.

64. Waiting for God is not easy. He is teaching me to trust him more and to know that his ways are higher than mine.
    I have to keep in mind that sometimes the things I want are not best for me. Maybe for this moment or never.
    Lord, help me to trust in you completely and to be content with all the blessings you have given!

65. Waiting can be such a test of our faith. Not taking control ourselves can be such a struggle and a stumbling block put in our path by Satan. Thank you for the encouragement to wait on the Lord and his timing because we know His plans are ALWAYS better than our own.

66. Wendy
    I’m so excited for your new book. Being a part of your RTW crew has helped me so much in my wait of health issues with no answers other than to trust and wait. To cling to everyone of his promises and pray them back to him. To worship while I am waiting and to literally depend on him to be my daily strength. It has been a transformation time. I would never ask for it but I can see the blessings in it.
    I love the last line in your promo: Look forward to the future while staying present in the present. I love that almost as much as my other favorite Wendyism which is to keep doing what I know to do until I know to do something different. God is faithful and I wait in anticipation and expectation to see what he will do as I stay close and obedient to him. Thanks Wendy!!

67. I am SOOO excited about this book! It’s definitely been a long season of waiting for me… God gave me a specific promise back in late 2009 – it is now 2016 and still hasn’t been fulfilled yet. The waiting has been hard, and has been difficult. In the beginning I believed the promise and nobody could convince me otherwise…. time went on… nothing. The longer we wait the harder it is to keep believing in God’s special promise to us. Through this waiting process I have grown closer to God, and realize that I must desire God more than just desire what He wants to give me. To seek Him, and not just his hand. I want to wait well. I would LOOVEEE this book! I believe this one is going to touch real close to me in this season of my life… I can’t wait!!!

68. Hi, what an opportunity awaits me. Reading about your new book is God answering my heartfelt cries for help.
    From a very young age I have craved to be wanted and loved, desperate enough to accept anyone.
    I watched other kids get Christmas presents, hugs, people speaking lovingly to them. I was sent to church by mom before she dumped me, so I learned about God. But He loved all the other kids and provided for them. He didn’t love me and in my young mind he abandoned me too.

    I married very young and had 4 kids right in a row. I didn’t know how to take care of them, I had no history to follow.
    Divorce came many times in my life always looking to be loved.
    to bring this sad tale to an end, I am now 70yrs old, I have accepted Christ as my Savior, but still have that nagging pain that God answers everyone else’s prayers but mine.
    I need to read this book and let it flow thru my heart to secure my heart and His together.
    thank you so much for this light in a very long, dark tunnel.

    1. Annie! may the Lord open your spiritual eyes to know and understand His love even now with the book or not. He went through the cross for you, i know He Love you more than anything.

69. After reading some of the comments, I do not feel so all alone in waiting. My husband and I waited 19 years before God brought children into our lives and as they were older, they came and left in 10 years. I need help to stop and enjoy the journey and stop focusing on what I am waiting for.

70. Waiting can be really hard. My husband and I also struggled with infertility for 2 years until we had our son via IVF. He truly was a miracle due to the fact I had so many issues that even our RE didn’t think I would be able to get pregnant. We fell into God and trusted Him to get us through. Currently, I am struggling with some weight gain that occurred from some medicines I was taking and a health condition I have. I haven’t been doing so well with that. I need to trust God more and know He will get me through. I am so excited to read this book and be a part of another OBS study! This will be my 6th one!!

71. I have been so blessed. God has always been there, maybe not right away but He has never kept me waiting. Sometimes my prayers were answered my way but other times, His way. Eventually I saw why His way was the best. Four years ago there was an event in my family that left a relationship raw, and torn apart. My heart hurts for healing of this relationship, I want to fix it myself, I know I can not! Only God can. I need patience and faith it will be healed!

72. ‘Wait and see.’ said the neurologist from my husband’s bedside. He was in a horrific car accident, unresponsive with a severe traumatic brain injury among other injuries. This past year has been a journey of interruptions and inconvenience. Every day is ‘Wait and see.’ The one thing I don’t have to wait on or don’t have to see is the power, love, mercy, and compassion the Lord has for us.

73. I have learned so much while waiting. I pray all the time to “Let Go and Let God.” When satan edges in I pray even harder. I am thankful for this time in my life. My faith has grown so much.

74. Waiting, wow, patience nope wasn’t for me! But then a chronic major heart problem arrived in 1996, it certainly required waiting. I almost died on the cath table 8 yrs ago but I didn’t. I just came back to the Lord about 4 years ago. I know he has a plan for me, when his time is right he let me know what it is. I pray for his guidance every day.

75. Waiting is hard, but God is so good.

76. Waiting is so hard. It has caused me to question if I heard God’s call correctly… we have been called to full time missions in a central American country. Called to raise 100% of funds to be able to go, but having a teenage son who does not feel called. As we wait on him to graduate high school – I question. I pray. I ask for continued confirmation. and I wait. Continually I ask God, what do we do in the wait? How do we make sure we are ready when that time is here.

77. At this time in my life, I’m waiting to find out what God’s purpose is for me. How does He want to use me, now that I’m getting older. Do I continue to pursue teaching? Does He have other plans? I need patience and trust and wisdom. I want to serve Him and may the “object of my desire not become greater than the Person of my faith”.

78. Waiting is tough. I have been waiting on my second (or first real) chance for love and marriage. I find that the hardest part is that it isn’t my plan or timeline. I find myself constantly questioning God or myself. Must be my fault or I am not ready is what I often think. I am working on realizing that it is not always about me and my son; it is a plan that I can’t see and don’t know. That’s tough!

79. Ah waiting…something that has never been a strong suit of mine, but as I look back on my life I can see now all of those moments where I stood waiting, thinking the worst, thinking that He had forgotten about me, but that never turned out to be the case. Even with that knowledge, its soooo hard sometimes to just trust that everything will work out ok and as He planned. Would love to dive deeper into all of this with your new book – it sounds great!

80. I, like Samantha, have always wondered if it is God’s will for me to be married. I have prayed, fasted, waited on God. At first my prayers were direct “Dear Lord please let the man created for me locate me, please give us the grace to have a happy marriage” then it changed, “Dear Lord, if there is something wrong with me, a character flaw that is standing against receiving the grace of marriage, please fix it, If there is a lesson you want to teach me, I’m here, willing and ready to learn”.

    I’m in my early thirties and I’m still waiting. Some days are harder than the others. Some days I’m angry. Some days I remember that God is always on time. That His grace is sufficient for me. Some days I judge, I list my friends and then I question God, “Father, Is A, B or C better than me? Do they serve You more? What else am I supposed to do?”.
    I desperately need to be encouraged in this wait.

81. Waiting – I feel like I have been waiting for something my entire life. I wish I could learn to successfully wait on God without worrying. I want to trust. I go through periods when I am doing great – but then I go through times where I am questioning everything, including Him. I don’t want to go through those times. I’d love to have a copy of the book and join the study. Thank you for the wonderful post this morning. It was very eye opening.

82. I’ve been having long talks with God, the last couple of years, wondering if He really hears me or if I’m not hearing Him. I try to quiet myself and just listen. Im looking for guidance and understanding from Him. I don’t know what direction to go. I feel that I’m aimlessly wandering. I was looking for inspiration, hope, uplift and your message appeared this morning. Looking forward to hearing more. I’m listening….

83. God’s timing is always perfect, so of course the timeliness of this email and book are perfect. All my life, I’ve wanted to be a stay at home wife and mommy. I’ve prayed daily for this desire in my heart. A few months ago, I thought my prayers were answered. My husband and I were in a good place financially and had made the decision for me to stay home with our beautiful children. The very next day, my life was turned upside down by my husband revealing his addiction to pornography and being put on leave from work because of it. I truly felt like my wonderful life had exploded. However, I know God has a purpose for all this happening and Romans 8:28 will prevail! For now, I know I must draw closer to God, continue to grow myself, wait and endure! 🙂

84. So far I’ve experienced two very lengthy waiting periods, back-to-back and my focus was more on the object of my wait more than the loving Father I should be experiencing.
    My first wait, which has endured my entire adult life, involves my family and finances. (Why I’d like to win the book.)
    A second wait overlapped that one and was 25 years long.
    The third wait overlapped that one and has been 9 years long.
    Waits can be layered and overlap each other, as well.
    Perhaps if I learn how to wait properly it will be a much less painful to wait. Lol.

85. When God asks us to wait, the hardest part is not knowing what the outcome will look like. We seek certainty and guarantees of restoration, healing and love in a place where the only thing we can be certain of is God’s love for us.

86. Thanks for the devotional you wrote today for Proverbs 31 ministries. I struggled and still struggle with infertility. Even though God has blessed us with two children through adoption, I still struggle with the same feelings of feeling jealous of those who are pregnant. I have definitely felt the feelings of God can’t help me. I also struggle with feeling guilty for the feelings I have toward God, so thank you for sharing your testimony and helping me not feel alone.

87. The waiting gets hard when you feel like you have already waited a long time (think years upon years) and aren’t sure if there is some lesson you aren’t learning or some message you are missing that is delaying the answer and prolonging the wait.

88. I’d like to win a copy-thank you for the chance.

89. The hardest part about waiting is seeing what you want/ need and how close it is but you aren’t able to do anything about it. Almost like being a kid in a candy store wanting that piece of smooth brown chocolate and being told, “not today, child” by your parent. You long for just a taste, and you know once you taste it, that the wait was well worth it.

90. I think one of the hardest things about waiting is trying to figure out if what you’re waiting for is what God is calling you to do, or if what you’re waiting for is just a desire of your heart. You pray, you feel like God is leading you in a specific direction. You seek that direction, but without success. You yearn for God to open a door or clear path for you, but day by day, nothing changes. So you begin to wonder, “Is this really what He is calling me to do? Is the reason for lack of success because it truly isn’t His calling and is a personal desire instead?” I look forward to diving into this book and learning how to deal with the “wait and see” and learning how to deal with these questions and thoughts that go through my mind.

91. I’m waiting…waiting to see what God has in store for me as I struggle to parent my youngest two, homeschool, hold down a job, and find time for my writing and the public speaking I feel called to do. When I lost my husband in 2012 my whole world changed, and while I like who I am now better than that lost woman, I am in a place right now where I am struggling.

92. This book couldn’t be better timing for me as I’m dealing with impatience and frustration on the same theme as the Proverbs 31 devotional today. It’s so hard to let go of the “control,” but that’s my ultimate prayer.

93. My husband, after dealing with the oil and gas cycles, decided to leave that industry and we bought a franchise. Of course, things are going slow and finances are tight for our family of 5. I have the faith and I know God is and will continue to provide, but I always say God laughs because my timing is never His. This sounds like a great book for our family.

94. I was diagnosed with an auto immune disorder at the age of 12, one which causes heavy bleeding and is similar to Lupus. After many attempts with different treatments I was finally told my illness is chronic and will require a dose of hemoglobin(chemo) treatment to keep in control. It has been an on and off battle for the last 16 years, at times when I feel like I can not physically take any more I have to remember the apostle Paul whom pleaded with the Lord three times to take away the thorn in his flesh and the Lord replied “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses.” The hardest part about the wait is realizing that God’s power is made perfect during our weakest moments and even in this mist of this current chemo session I will praise and wait on Him.

95. Waiting is difficult, as I have always been one to strive after “instant gratification.” I became engaged this past June and while this should be one of the happiest seasons of my life (and it definitely has been in certain ways), its turned into a game of “wait and see.” Everyone keeps asking if we’ve set a date or made any plans yet, and while I’d love to act like everything is going swimmingly and planning is on a roll, the truth is we haven’t made a single one yet. My fiancé is waiting to hear of some training dates he’s supposed to attend for work before we begin making wedding plans and with each passing month that we don’t hear from his job about the situation, the more disheartened I become. I feel like I’m letting everyone down in not having any answers regarding the planning process. I know the Lord is up to a great arrangement (we currently live 3 hours a part so that in itself has been a difficulty in figuring out a home situation after get married) but some days it is so hard to trust and be patient when it appears that there is no logical answer to how everything is going to play out for us. I have been praying for patience and to look back on this time at a later date and be able to say “I fully trusted during a season of the unknown.” I believe this book, by the title alone, could be a helpful aide in learning such a lesson. 🙂

96. Wendy for three and a half years now I’ve been waiting on God to work in my husband. He began battling a drug addiction and with it came a sex and porn addiction. The amount of pain I’ve been asked to endure is indescribable. It is so hard not to give up. Especially when everything is against you, or at least it feels that way. I have been asked to endure affair after affair. Abandonment, negligence, heartache, controlling and manipulative abuse and much more including risking my life by not holding myself apart from my husband. This struggle has been very hard. I even have been facing a crisis of faith just in the past few days. Needless to say waiting is very hard on me. I would love to learn your secrets and how, if there are any, other women made it through an ordeal similar to mine. When all this started I had strayed from my faith so I rededicated my life to the Lord this time three years ago and while my faith walk has been deeper than it ever was as a child I still feel like a newborn learning how to walk. Thank you for being an inspiration to women like me.

97. I waited for 15 years to see the promise of Romans 8:28 come to pass ( at least) apart of it. It was the day my dad was laying on the kitchen floor gasping for his final breath before eternity. My son and him were very close and I knew this would be another deep wound that the enemy would use to destroy my son. I prayed for 15 years for this promise that God spoke into my heart, reminding Him that I would not wavier. As always as God was faithful as He began to slowly woo Ryan to see His goodness and place favor on him.

    Today, Ryan is a RN working at a local hospital. Free from drugs and had his license restored after losing it because of a DWI over 13 years ago. As each day goes by, I see The Holy Spirit drawing him to a place of full surrendering. The wait is worth it!

98. To me the hardest thing about waiting is keeping focus and perspective in the waiting time.

    My body can’t stand sitting still and wants to pull me into endless unrelated activities that do little to grow me in the wait. …filling up every hourly block on my schedule. By the time the wait is over… I am too exhausted to enjoy what I am waiting for.

    My mind is no angel either. It becomes uber-fixated (obsessed) with what will happen when the wait is over. It rehearses the scenario over and over…and dreams grow from big to grandiose to impossible to fulfill. When the event or the conversation finally comes in the flesh-it falls short and can’t measure up.

99. Hi Wendy,

    Your message really has hit me hard. I’ve been waiting for hubby to find the Lord again and it’s been a good 10 years I’ve been praying. Sending prayer requests into church, asking family to pray, I pray all day, and sometimes I feel so emotionally drained. As soon as I get a glimmer of hope, all of a sudden something happens and we’ve gone back 10 steps. It’s a constant cycle. I’ve finally joined a church with much resistance to help grow my faith and my children’s faith. So I’m waiting… on God’s time.

    Thanks for the encouragement,
    Lillian

100. Each post today has a compelling example of how difficult it is to wait for God to act and reveal His will for us. This book addresses a common struggle for many of us and I would love to read it for strength and encouragement with my own wait.

101. The hardest part can be fighting the urge to feel left out. When it appears everyone else is getting what you want or even what you think God has called you to do-a spouse, a baby, the dream job or call to ministry. Whatever it is and whenever it seems like God is answering everyone else prayers but yours-concentrate on the fact that he has a specific plan FOR YOU. His no is His protection. I have learned that many times over.

102. Waiting is most difficult. Believing what you’re going through is part of God’s great design is difficult. I’m encouraged to read your book wait and see to discover if what some are waiting on has been received and if the wait was so worth the wait. I believe in my heart it is.

103. Waiting for me is perfectly horrible. Perfect in that I always LOVE what God shows me during the pause, but horrible because I so struggle with the fine line of waiting on God but also doing my part. I constantly question whether I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing while waiting on God. Is it enough? Should I be acting at all? Am I jumping ahead of God or is He telling me to do “x” before He acts? I’ve signed up for this OBS and am very excited. God couldn’t be speaking more to me right now since every devotional I’ve read in the last two weeks (from many different authors and organizations) has all been about waiting, enduring, and God’s timing.

104. Waiting in my singleness and unemployment. Trying to remember that there is beauty in waiting…

105. The hardest thing about waiting is the silence. We only want to hear what we want to hear in the waiting (which is God’s yes to whatever it is that we are asking). We miss everything else during that season because we are only focused on what we want from God. So we believe that God is silent and has forgotten our cry…OR that we have asked him for something that is not His will but truly our desire…so why would our Good Good Father give us a desire for something outside of his will. We tend to listen more to the enemies lies that focus on Gods truth in our waiting.

106. It’s in the waiting that we truly learn to TRUST in God’s perfect plan and His design for our lives. He has a plan in place and everything we encounter or endure, go through or live with, experience or desire are stepping stones to His perfect end. We want what we want, when we want it – but God knows best for us and His timing is sufficient.

     The hardest part? Keeping our focus on Him and learning to TRUST in His plan for us.

     Our waiting periods are learning periods if we keep our focus on Him and not what we ‘desire’. God, I pray I’m teachable and humble in my periods of ‘waiting’. Help me TRUST in You fully and in Your timing.

107. This came to me at the perfect time. After reading some of the previous comments, I feel in good company since it was just this morning when I prayed about being able to hear and discern God’s promptings to move forward in my waiting. I pray to know what is my own fears, impatience, and anxieties and what is indeed God’s voice. I have made many wrong judgments in the past because trusting God is not the easiest thing for me.

108. Waiting is not easy, for any of us. I look forward to reading your book.

109. I would love a copy of your book to share with my daughter.

110. This morning I read the devotion you wrote for Proverbs 31, and one line really stuck out to me. “Sometimes the wait is more about experiencing God than enduring the delay.”

     My mom has been ill for 11 years and was put on the lung transplant list in January. Praying and waiting on the Lord throughout this journey has been so difficult. The hardest part has been keeping my focus on the Lord instead of focusing on the waiting.

     I think that it’s in these times of waiting that God often shapes our character, but it’s so easy to lose sight of this truth.

111. I have been waiting 10 years or more for God to heal me of an addiction to food. I have had two stents from almost having a heart attack. I really need to lose the weight and become healthy. Also my husband has an addiction that I have been asking and waiting for God to heal him from as well. I will keep praying and waiting for I know God wants the best for his children. It is in his timing not ours. I know this but the waiting is very hard at times. Please pray for us. I would love to win a copy of your new book. God bless

112. My heart aches as I turmoil over my relationship. Will he come to know You, Lord? Or have I fallen in love with a man that is to stay wicked? I am shown signs to stay and pray it out and I am shown signs to move on. I am so confused. What do I do Lord? Do I stay, wait and see or do I pack up my life, child and unborn child and forsake him in our time of uncertainty? Please bestow your peace on my anxious heart!

113. At the age of 57 I am still waiting for God to bring marriage into my life. I want the kind of relationship designed by His plan and Word for me, but the waiting is getting so very hard. I am now torn between that dream and the need to care for my elderly mom who I know hopes that plans for marriage remain in the future. I desperately need God’s peace, and focus on Him instead of my longings. I would love to find wisdom in your new book. Your blog from Proverbs 31 came just at the right moment today!

114. I am waiting to get pregnant. I’m 42 yrs old and as each day passes it is hard not to worry that this dream I’ve had since I was a kid will not come to pass. I don’t understand why God gave me the desire to have a baby if it’s not meant to happen or if I’m meant to adopt. Almost all of my nieces and nephews have had babies at a young age and/or out of wedlock so it is difficult to not get frustrated or feel like God has forgotten about me or doesn’t care. I pray that I can make peace with His plan but I’m really struggling.

115. Waiting for what has felt like an eternity (really only about 15 years) for restoration of my marriage. I’m eagerly looking forward to this study!! I want to learn to “focus on the Person of my Faith rather than the object of my wait, experience God rather than just endure His delays, and especially look forward to the future while staying present in the present.”

116. Waiting for anything is a choice. Waiting on God is an act of discipline and obedience. Waiting in God is a privilege, because we know how much He loves us. Even so, our hearts and minds can become discouraged by the length of time it takes to see the manifestation of the Lord’s faithfulness to His Word and His promises. When expectation turns to disappointment, that is the challenge! Father, help us, Your precious daughters, to not grow weary, and to continue to trust You, in the midst of the wait!

117. Wendy,
     This study could not have come at a better time. My husband of less than 2 years has only last month confessed a serious drug addiction. Despite my prayers and pleas to God, and my willingness to do whatever it will take to repair our broken marriage and support him in recovery, he has decided he would rather continue his drug lifestyle and has filed for divorce. In all my prayers, Bible study, and seeking of wise counsel, I feel God urging me to wait… Something that has always been a struggle for me! He works miracles, He works everything for our good, and He works only in His time. God is working! Still, I battle doubt and fear daily, sometimes hourly. The hardest thing for me about waiting is being vulnerable to the influences and attacks of the enemy and the thoughts he wants to put in my brain that make me panic and think, “I’ve got to do something, NOW!” The battle is raging in me all the time, but I have God’s word to stand on and put the enemy back in his place. My Proverbs 31 daily encouragement emails, prayer, and study all help me to recenter and refocus on God, especially when I’m feeling he attacked. I know this OBS will be such a blessing to my life right now. Thank you, and God bless you.

118. Waiting is so hard. I have been waiting for years for my adult son to come back to the Lord after a heart breaking divorce from a christian girl. He was really hurt and betrayed and went into a deep depression for over a year.

119. The hardest part about waiting for me is trust… Trusting that God is in control and that there’s nothing that I can do to manipulate my circumstances. Trusting that His will is best. Trusting that He will lead me where I’m meant to be if only I’ll let go of the reigns and allow Him to work.

120. I am going through a “waiting” period right now. It is hard to wait. My human flesh side knows that Gods timing is the right timing, which I have to remind myself when my mind starts asking the “Why” questions. Your book sounds amazing! Thank you for bringing God’s word to all of us.

121. Hi Wendy! I’m so excited to read your book!

     The two hardest things about waiting, for me, is the unknown and letting God be in control. There is a course in my life that I feel God is calling me to take, but I keep putting it off because I’m scared to fail. I play games with myself because I don’t know how it will turn out. I compare myself to others who are doing similar things and then almost convince myself to not do it. I periodically start to talk myself into it again but always envision a bad outcome.

     The thing is, it wouldn’t be bad at all! Because I feel called by God to do it. I know that God has been patiently waiting on me to make this change so it is time for me to do it and wait on God to make the change in my heart I feel will result.

     I guess what it really comes down to is trust.

122. Waiting is so hard because you don’t know the outcome. You are not in control of what is going on, and the harder you try the more out of control you become. It seems so many here are waiting on the same type of thing I am. My husband left me almost 6 months ago. He hasn’t filed for divorce, but he doesn’t want to work on things. I’m just waiting . . .
     I did this devotional on the my Bible You Verse App, and I loved it. I can’t wait to the OBS. I signed up today and ordered my book.

123. Wendy, WOW! So many people waiting for God to answer. I am also waiting for an answer, but not in a frustrated attitude but with a broken heart. I can’t even remember how long its been since I saw my granddaughter and grandson. My daughter left them with their father for her safety and theirs. The father has brain-washed them with lies and forbid them to see us. My daughter is now back in their lives. Our granddaughter got married a year ago in February and this year in June presented us with a great-grandson! My husband and I, of course were not invited to either event. My heart is really breaking about all this and I would really appreciate it if all of you would pray that it will be God’s will that we can all be re-united and be a family again. We are 70 years old and we really need this happy ending. I would really like your book so I can understand more why all this waiting has to be in my life. Thank you. God Bless.

124. My biggest problems are trusting God in the waiting. I’ve been struggling for about 5 years in every way since my divorce. I think I need this book.

125. What I find hard about waiting is remembering God is in control and His plan is perfect. I doubt His goodness and provision while waiting for answers or solutions to problems. It just rocks my faith! But, when I look back in hindsight at other situations, I see His goodness and provision, and even though it is tough to go through, I have to keep reminding myself of His promised and truths.

126. Your message of waiting patiently on the Lord really hit home with me. I have also been waiting on the Lord to bring healing to my husband who is on a heart pump waiting for a heart transplant. I have questioned God and my faith many times and I struggle to wait patiently for Him to answer prayer. I know that God will answer this prayer in His perfect timing and according to His will, but the waiting is excruciating. I will keep your devotional close so I can be reminded that God is in control. Thank you for your testimony and your message.

127. Wow, it is crazy how many others are waiting on God when I have felt like I was the only one He wasn’t answering prayers for. And how many are waiting on God for a husband. I need this book for encouragement!! I pray God answers all of the prayers in the comments, and blesses all of us, including Wendy for writing this book which will be encouragement to us all!! Some days are easier than others. I am entering the season that is toughest for me; holidays and then my birthday after the holidays. I struggle with finding a place that I fit it. A 40ish single woman during the holidays, I feel like an orphan. Thank you all for expressing your feelings. We are not alone!!

128. I guess I need to read this book! I choked up just reading about the woman who waited for a husband. That has been me…waiting. ..and waiting. ..43yrs. Still no husband. I cant say I always have “waited well”. But I trust the Lord. Now I am having medical issues. Im normally not sick. Thought it would be simple. 5months later $thousands of dollars in bills. Lots of Dr’s and test and still no answers. …waiting! I know God is in control ; )
     Have a great day!

129. I’ve been waiting 19 months for something I truly believe is in God’s plans for me. I find the harder part of waiting not to be the time, so much, but the unknown of it all. I often think if I just had a date from God then it would be a whole lot easier to countdown! But I also know that wouldn’t really be faith and trust in Him, which is exactly what your quote is all about – experiencing God in the wait, not so much enduring the wait.

130. I would love to win a copy of this book! I, my husband, & our 2 daughters, are currently waiting on being able to move back into our house. What was supposed to have been a 6 week period of moving back into my parent’s house, to have much needed repairs done, has now been 10 months, and still counting. After tearing out walls, floors, & ceilings, there was one person that refused to sign off for the insurance company to cover the repairs. It is now, & has been for several months, in the hands of the attorneys. Having to squeeze 4 people’s belongings into one room, that was already filled with my mom’s, is completely overwhelming & exhausting, especially considering my mom struggles with being a hoarder & one of us is 21 months old. Please pray that God’s will is for this to be over & for us to be back home, soon.

131. Trusting and waiting is hard!!

132. For me the hardest part of waiting is knowing when to stop. Knowing when the wait is a no or a prompt to press in and keep holding on.

133. I’d love a copy of wait and see. I am waiting right now for the Lord to restore my marriage. It’s been a couple of years now and nothing looks different but God said he will do it and I believe him.

134. After going through a divorce 2 years ago (married 29 years) and being laid off/contract job end 9 times in the last 10 years, I am contemplating a complete career change. I realized yesterday that I had a lot in common with the Israelites — they wandered for 40 years and it was 40 years ago that I began dreaming of teaching HS English. Maybe my dream will come true. I also have to learn to wait on God and his timing. Would love to get a copy of your book.

135. Excited about your new book Wendy, would love to win a copy….cant wait for the study!!!!

136. Not knowing is the hardest part for me since I am a planner. August 2010, God told me you had to be here to meet your future husband (I’m 52 and have never been married). I said Lord you know I have zero intuition, so you’re going to have to hit me over the head with a 2 X 4. June 2015, I met someone at church – 6 days later I heard God say he’s the one. I had butterflies, couldn’t eat, felt nauseous (which has never happened when I met or dated someone). We hit it off and hung out for a couple of months and that was it – I was a rebound and he wanted to get back with the ex-gf. There are many days I wonder did I hear God incorrectly.

137. I would love to win a copy of the book, Wait and See! I believe the most difficult part of waiting on the Lord’s will is trying not to be consumed with the object of your desires. It is so easy to make it a day in and day out thought that you can easily forget about God. I would love to learn how to still focus on the present while waiting on the future.

138. I have been trying to understand the purpose of the wait that I am “enduring”. I have been trying to open my heart to God’s purpose, God’s timing. The quote on the blog today, “Sometimes the wait is more about experiencing God than enduring the delay. ”
     Oh how this touched my heart. I have been experiencing God so much during this wait. Had it not been for this wait, I don’t think I would be drawing nearer to God.

139. I, too, am waiting. It’s been more than 10 years. My daughter and I need to get away from our house that is filled with lying, cheating, stealing, alcohol & drug abuse, etc. I lent money to a family member who has not paid me back after promising to three years ago, so the car I so badly need to replace just keeps costing me money in repairs. The family members I share a house with have now decided not to pay the mortgage (after collecting it from all of us). The house will be foreclosed and since my name is on the deed I will lose the stellar credit rating I have worked so hard for. How will I be able to rent an apartment with a credit score that has taken such a hit? And how much longer will I be able to afford repairs on my car? Oh, and I got diagnosed with cancer yesterday. I don’t doubt God loves me, just that since He has not answered my prayers for 10 years I feel I am not a good enough person to warrant His attention.

140. Waiting IS difficult. It is especially difficult when the months turn to years and you have done everything you know to do. The enemy will have you thinking that a long delay means denial.

141. I’m very interested in this book. My husband and I waited for 10 months to purchase a home in short sale. Finally we purchased it and renovated it and lived in it for two months when my city had massive rainfall and our house with many others flooded. We are back waiting.

142. The hardest thing about waiting is self control. It is so hard for us to consume our thoughts, our lives, and our actions around whatever our desire is. We pour our hearts and desires into our wants when we should instead pour our hearts to God and look into His word for our answers. We as individuals, have to believe that God knows every desire of our heart and if we wait on the Lord, it shall come to pass if He so chooses. I’m learning this as well and I believe this book will definitely be an eye opener and an awakening to wait on the Lord.

143. The hardest thing about waiting is wondering if what you are waiting for is actually part of God’s plan for you.

144. I read your devotional on proverbs 31 ministries today and it was exactly what I needed today! My husband and I have been trying to have a child for almost 3 years and I had a miscarriage over a year ago. We put it in Gods hands in the beginning and I have been content through most of the time. Lately though I’ve been having a lot of doubts and my relationship with God has been put on the back burner. I feel guilty for questioning Him and it’s just easier at times to try to ignore Him. I feel guilty just writing that. Thank you for sharing your heart and for reminding me that I need to focus on God and not so much the desire of my heart.

145. Thank you for the devo today. When I take a moment to really put things in perspective and (park my demands to God), I realize that if I have to wait, I’d rather wait on God than anyone else in this world, for He is loving and faithful and trustworthy and has done everything for me. Thank you so much for the Bible verse: “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD” -Lamentations 3:25-26, ESV

146. Looking forward to meeting you on those pages, Wendy! Also, David and the others. ALL of us in God’s plan & purpose for good! Blessings as you prepare……….

147. Thank you for this wonderful devotional. I loved it, and I can definitely relate to having to wait. I have to confess that I haven’t waited well and have made a lot of mistakes along the way. Sometimes I worry that perhaps if God gives you a promise, but you mess up along the way, this might mean that you end up losing the promise, and then I feel really sad, but on a much brighter note, in spite of all the doubts and fears, God has given me precious treasure in the darkness, and I know that whatever His answer is to the cries of my heart, He is always good. God is good all the time and all the time, God is good!

     1. Ruth,

        You are the second person in two days I have heard/read say that they think God takes promises away if we mess up!

        Now, before I answer this I want to give you a background of the last 3 days in my life! 3 days ago I was done! I did not believe in God and His self righteous do things my way or no way way! I was very angry in circumstances! Last night was when I started to realize how stupid I was being, after a friend of mine made the same statement! God said immediately that this is my purpose!

        So here is my answer to you in response to that statement:

        Please reread Exodus 1-Joshua 6.

        Honey the Israelites screwed up so many times while wandering in the wilderness that their Promise was postponed for 40 YEARS!!! But God NEVER took their promise away from them because they screwed up!

        We are meant to screw up, expected even to screw up! We are after all sinners by nature!!! But do not ever for one minute think that God won’t keep His promise. How soon we receive that promise however depends on us, I believe, and how we do “waiting” for that Promise to be filled!!!

        I hope this blesses you!!

148. Last night in my home, I was worshipping and praying to God after another day of being frustrated in my waiting. I have been waiting for 10 years for my desires to come to fruition. I went to work this morning and turned on my computer and saw your devotion from Proverbs 31. Oh talk about God hearing His daughter! I cried as if it was a hand carved message, just for me. It filled me with peace as God softly whispered to my heart; “I see you and I hear you my love.”

     Yes, there are days in my life when I feel as if God doesn’t hear me. But there are also days that I DON’T hear Him. So as you had said, instead of focusing on my wanting and unmet desires , I HAVE to focus on God! It is the only way that I will be filled with the love that I am truly craving. Thank you for your words of encouragement! They were needed indeed!

149. Hi Wendy,
     This came to me at the perfect moment!! I am currently in the waiting well process. I have accepted the fact that I am currently right and exactly where God wants me; waiting on Him!! And seeking Him in Everything I do! And it is not for me to question what comes next. It’s for me to embrace whatever it is He brings!! I am very encouraged by your post and am eager to read about the people you mentioned and how God showed up in their lives. I absolutely LOVE Glory Moments!!! And God brings us Glory Moments Every Single Day while we wait on Him for the larger things in life!! Thank you for sharing your passion with us!!

150. Thank you for the devotion! We all have to wait for something. A few things i have been waiting for is family members salvation and my health issues. The LORD has been faithful and He knows what we need. It is by His mercy and grace i am still alive and able to do the things i have been able to do. The LORD is good!

151. Waiting on God is so hard! Sometimes when I pray, I don’t feel Him listening, even though deep down, I know He hears me. I guess that’s where the waiting comes in. How long do you wait for an answer? I want to trust in Him, but sometimes it feels like He is not there.

152. I think the hardest part of waiting are all the doubts that start to plague you.

153. God has been trying to instill patience in me in so many areas. Right now I am struggling with waiting for a dear loved one to make better decisions in life.

154. Waiting is heart rending hard work. It can be costly emotionally…..but…God is faithful. He is never unkind or cruel and He doesn’t make mistakes. He makes a way where there is no way. I stand on the Word and ask for patience and grace to wait. We are not alone in any struggle and all these comments attest to that. I can’t wait to read your book.

155. This has definitely been a season of waiting for me. There has been serious illness with my mom, dad, son and grandfather this year, rebellious kids, and other personal family problems. All at once. God is helping me through all this.

156. I have had the strong desire to be married and have a family for several years. And time and time again, it’s never worked out with a guy. I’ve never been in a serious relationship or anything. I recently graduated College and I have been so discouraged. I think the absolute hardest part about waiting is the fear that you will never get to have what your heart desires. I’m so scared that I won’t get to have my own family one day and it’s terrifying. And I hate feeling this way because I know God wouldn’t put this desire on my heart if it wasn’t meant to be for me. And honestly, I have a lot of growing to do spiritually. I just had a recent encounter with a guy that led to despair again and I can’t even begin to tell you how much I cried. It just felt like God was shutting the doors forever. Waiting is hard. You’ll have good days and really bad days but God is so amazing. Those bad days don’t seem so bad when you can feel his warming embrace around you and he sends little reminders your way that let you know that HIS plan is the best plan.

157. Waiting for me is hard because there is no time table for God’s promises. Although we have his truths from the Bible to stand on, it is hard to remain faithful when you don’t see anything changing and life continues to go on. I have started to question some of my dreams and whtether it’s worth even holding on to them in the wait. It’s also hard because God never promised to give us all of our dreams. I’m trying to hold on in faith after having given it all to God but it’s hard.

158. This will be great and timely. It is very hard to wait and my struggle is knowing if it’s my desires or is God pushing me, giving hints. It’s hard to decipher between the two sometimes. Looking forward to this!

159. Waiting is in my top 5 of the things I struggle with the most in my Christian life. I think through whatever I am waiting on and come up with 50 ways God could work. It also creates a great deal of anxiety and even though I have learned how to deal w/ much of the anxiety . . . it will still come back to bite me. Excited to start this Bible study . . . God willing, this “no spring chicken” will grow in ways she never expected at this time of her life. God bless you in your ministry to us.

160. I like to control things and when I have to wait I am out of control and feel helpless but I know God has something beautiful waiting for me. I would love to read this bookind! Thanks for the giveaway!

161. Thank you for the chance to win this book. Waiting is very difficult. I’m not very good at it. I would love to read this book and learn more about waiting for God’s plan and letting go of mine, or more accurately, learning how to align my desires with God’s plans.

162. I am waiting on God’s timing to become pregnant. So hard to wait.

163. Waiting on God’s timing is hard for me because I constantly forget it isn’t about me…it is all about Him. As much as I think “oh this is the perfect plan/time for me and my family” doesn’t mean it is His. He has so much better planned for me. I learned this a few years ago with a situation with my husband’s career and a pause in our family plan as to more children. Now I am relearning this lesson as we are trying to sell our house. Watching others list their homes and recover offers within days and weeks while we have been on for months (after having been on for two years then taking a break). It is hard not whine at God. We started making it a practice last night during prayer time to thank God for our friends’ blessings and to be thankful for our home while we still are here.

164. For me the hardest part of waiting is well waiting. I have always been told, “Good things come to those that wait.” Well, I’ve been waiting for things to happen in my life, with what God has called me to do and nothing has happened. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt what God is calling me to do with my life, but I’m told that I have to wait to be called for training. If I miss a Sunday at church, if I don’t volunteer, If I don’t attend life group, if I miss a tithe, then I can’t do what God has called me to do. Waiting is painful, it hurts you in many ways, it makes you feel that your not worthy.

     1. Crystal, I used to think I had to be perfect before God would use me. That’s a lie Satan whispers into the ears of many! Sometimes, when I would act less than perfect, I even had a fellow Christian who would say to me, “That’s the reason God is not using you.” Thankfully, I no longer believe that lie.

        If you can start preparing on your own for what it is you’re waiting on God, then start there and keep preparing yourself. If you have the opportunity to get some formal training, then take a step in that direction. Just know that whatever you do to take a step in the direction God is pointing to, you will face opposition.

165. Wendy, we’re waiting; patiently. Looking forward to the next OBS.
     “Be still and know that I AM GOD.”

166. Wendy, I read your first chapter and I loved it!

     I’ve been waiting a long time, so I first want to say what I’ve found that’s GOOD about waiting: You can absolutely get much better prepared for the work God has called you to. There have been times I was so relieved that I’m still in the wait. It saved me from making embarrassing mistakes! Thinking back on when I was impatient and discouraged that nothing was happening, I now cringe at the thought of what it might have been like had God given me what I wanted when I wanted it!

     What I still find difficult about waiting is the fine line between God waiting on me to take the next step and me waiting on God to give me the courage to take that step. Of course, if God just “infused” us with courage it would not be faith. It all comes down to being willing to take a “risk” by getting out of the boat.

167. God has good timing. I’ve been separated for over a year and even through very difficult circumstances I thought we had a chance to work it out. Now things are not working out that way. And I find myself waiting. I’m not even sure for what – healing to take place and then restoration or a life of being a single parent? Gods message to me has been “just trust me”. Sometimes that is comforting and sometimes I get mad because I want my marriage to be healed. Looking forward to this bible study to help me put my focus where it needs to be – on Jesus, not the gifts I want.

168. I think the hardest part of waiting is wondering if you’re really on the right path. For me, it’s easy to get confused without true confirmation that you’re really following God’s will.

169. I am still waiting for God’s promises to happen-10 years and still waiting! But I’m not going to give up on God.

170. In fall of 2014 i received a promise of healing of a comdition i had not bern diagnosed with. I received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma in March 2015. Waiting on the Lord. Could use some encouragement.

171. I have suffered with Ulcerative Colitis for the past 6 years in a major flare but had 16 years of remission previous. It is extremely painful and sometimes I have to decide can I go places or not. No cure…and sometimes the pain is unbearable. I am extremely welcome to the 16 years I had in remission because I suffered 7 years previous to that time. This has affected me since I was in my early 20s…causing one miscarriage but my son’s birth 20 years ago caused my remission. I pray now for relief everyday if it’s God’s will. He may decide this is my “thorn in the flesh” and allow it, so I learn to trust that He knows what is best for me in the long run!

172. Staying in peace and not trying to figure things out by reasoning and worrying is probably the hardest part of waiting.

173. As little girls we wait to be in high school .. Then we wait for college or a husband.. We wait to buy first car, for that job, for that apartment or house… We wait for our hair to grow long, for the extra pounds to come off, for the weekend, even wait for the red light to change faster , for the grocery line to move faster, we wait for the plumber , wait for the evening to get to bed early, wait for dawn as we cannot sleep…. It seems our lives are all about waiting..and yet we do not handle or cope or manage waiting well. But the hardest of all – is the waiting on God.. When we have done all we can do on our end and let God do His part.
     I am waiting. On Memorial Day, my husband had a partial seizure… Long story short… A brain tumor.. He had brain surgery in June followed by radiation and chemo for six weeks. We had a month long break and begin chemo again today, that is if the meds arrive..so waiting on the delivery. We have seen God moving and working through many details and apointments and so we do Praise God. Yet it was the last meeting with the radiation oncologist in August that I am reminded of.. He told us that the MRI at end of September would be a baseline scan to compare all other future scans and not indicative of the last six weeks of treatment working or not as he has never seen a normal MRI after radiation. So… Somehow in that meeting I blurted out .. That just means more praying so that when God works .. And it’s normal He will blow your socks off! Why did I say this? Optimism? Faith in the God that created the universe? Foolishness? Well we just returned home from Arizona and that Sept.MRI… And no not normal… No miracle… No blowing the docs socks off with God’s infinite power and sovereignty-In stead the scan shows a lot of necrosis and edema and now we wait for Oct. MRI.. Now we add in steroids to reduce swelling and still …I wait and pray seeking understanding but more so seeking healing for my Beloved here and now.. And waiting to answer.. Will I be a widow when I am 55 ? Or next year at 56.? Will this be our last Christmas with our two college age sons? What if… These questions come fast and often out of nowhere and so the enemy is at work… But I do know my God is at work too.. Sometimes just really hard holding onto His Promises …asking what do you Lord want me to do in this waiting.? So I wait for those answers too… My job is to Trust and obey… And remembering in the waiting I am not alone.. Jesus Holds my hand and walks with me step by step and day by day. So today I pray He holds on to me a bit closer and tighter. I pray for the Holy Spirit to remind me that my God loves me..loves my husband.. I pray … And I wait…

Comments are closed.