Have you ever been so tired of praying about something? Year after year, you’re praying over this one thing and yet there has been no evidence of that prayer being answered? It’s quite exhausting, isn’t it?
I recently read a book titled “Slow Burn, the Work and Wonder of the Wait,” by DawnChere Wilkerson and it taught me something pivotal. In the book she said “here on earth, our lives are a constant, steady slow burn of faith through the wait” (pg,7, Wilkerson). Until we reach Heaven, there’s always going to be something that we have to wait on the Lord for. After one answered prayer, there’s going to be another prayer request. Waiting on the Lord humbles us and reminds us that God is the one in control—not us. So how exactly do we posture our hearts to wait well especially in those areas that are dear to our hearts but feels like God is taking “forever” to respond in?
The perspective we hold during the wait is key. In chapter 3 of the book, DawnChere talks about God having His eye on us. Like the care of a mother toward her newborn baby, He never misses a beat. Through our waiting season God wants to transform our eyes to see Him more clearly. To see His deep and magnificent love toward us, and to see how He’s transforming us and holding our hands moment by moment as we wait on Him. I encourage you to check out her book. Her story will compel you to embrace waiting seasons and take advantage of all that God has for you in them.
In building on that, I want to share how leaning into what you’re waiting on the Lord for through your waiting journey can better help your mental health.
May is Mental Health Awareness month and for the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing posts about the importance of taking care of your mental health as a Christian. I believe when Jesus said in John 10:10 “….I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” that was inclusive of our mental wellness. So when you’re waiting on the Lord to respond to an issue, and you start getting weary in praying over said issue, how do you navigate that in a healthy way? I believe part of this answer is in Psalm 34:4 which says to “…feed on His faithfulness.” In the same way we ensure our bellies are fed everyday, ensure that your soul is fed on the faithfulness of God.
Even with the issues that our hearts ache over, and our minds have racing thoughts about, God is still faithful. He’s still good to us. The evidence of our prayer may not be what we have in mind, but that does not diminish His faithfulness or His love. So when the heavy emotions erupt, don’t gloss over them. Don’t act like they don’t exist or try to suppress the reality of them being there. Address each emotion and take each one to the Lord in prayer. Is it anger, sadness, fear, frustration? Tell God about it. Be radically honest before Him and allow yourself to feel all of the feelings, but don’t stay there. Our emotions are God’s design to indicate to us something about ourselves, and they shouldn’t be hidden as though they don’t exist. So when your heart feels heavy, or broken, or disappointed, take them all to the Lord. Choose to believe God again and again for the evidence of His promise. Remind yourself of how He has answered something in the past, and find an anchor scripture to keep your head lifted about the future. David said it best in Psalm 27:13 “ I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (NKJV).
There are some other practical things you can do as well, such as talking to a trusted friend, listening to worship music, crying (it’s good for your body!—remember, Jesus too wept (John 11:35)), getting a prayer partner for the journey, or engaging in stress-relieving hobbies. And if it is to the point where you need professional counseling, please seek out Christian-based therapy.
The waiting season can be hard, yes, but God is still faithful. He is still a prayer-answering, loving God. Sit in the reality of this truth that as you are waiting, God is working. Isaiah 64:4 says “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!”
There’s one more section of DawnChere’s book that I want to close with. As Christians we know that God is a promise keeper, but do you know He’s also a tear keeper? Psalm 56:8-9 says “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (NLT). In another chapter of the book DawnChere shares how God sees the value in our tears that He literally collects them. If God promises to heal the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3) why wouldn’t He think your tears are important? “Your tears are a gift from your Creator to communicate what your language and intellect cannot” (pg. 50, Wilkerson).
Your waiting season isn’t a wasted season, God is working through every prayer you lay at His feet. Even the ones you keep bringing to Him over and over, with tears in your eyes. Do not give up, for He cares for you!
Until next time,
Beautyoluwa
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