Wait with Anticipation Not Anxiety

If you’re waiting on a blessing to unfold, be excited! The Lord always comes through on His promises. Take the example of Abraham, who patiently waited to receive what God promised Him. He’s a tremendous example of faith, and as believers, we should all want to have faith in God as Abraham did, but the truth is that we don’t always meet the mark. Sometimes during the wait, anxiety can creep in, with thoughts like “Will He really do it?” dominating our minds. We begin to doubt the promise, questioning if we truly heard from the Lord in the first place.

We’ve all received powerful encouragements like, “Something great is going to happen in your life very soon.” When the pieces of our lives start aligning, hinting that the long-awaited blessing is within reach, our excitement is palpable. Joy fuels our optimism, adding a spring to our step. Yet, as months or even years slip by, weariness creeps in, and hope dims. This weariness can inadvertently stall our blessings, providing an opening for the enemy to place blockers between us and God’s promise.

It’s crucial to recognize that it’s not God who delays our blessings—it’s often our own impatience. Psalm 84:11 (NLT) reassures us, “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Humbling ourselves, never blaming God, but examining our own hearts, minds, and actions is the way to go.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT) highlights the strategy our Heavenly Father has given us to sustain our optimism and confidence: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” It’s not uncommon for us to turn to disappointment and doubt when the fulfillment of a promise is taking longer to materialize than expected. Our initial anticipation turns to anxiety about what the future holds. However, God instructs us to pray and express gratitude not only for His past blessings but also for what He will do in the future. This strategy invigorates our faith and enthusiasm toward God. Recognizing that a thankful heart pleases Him, we make gratitude a fundamental cornerstone of our motivation.

And let’s not forget that God is the ultimate source of blessings and promises. Jesus Christ teaches in Matthew 7:11 (NLT), “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Our Heavenly Father’s desire to bless us far exceeds our own longing for blessings. Like a loving earthly father, but even more intensely, God delights in seeing His children flourish. When He makes a promise, and we trust it with unwavering faith, nothing and no one can prevent its fulfillment.

Hebrews 6:18 (NLT) states: “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.” This passage reassures us that when God makes a promise, it’s not just a casual assurance but a solemn oath backed by His blameless and flawless character. His promises are as steadfast as His very being, for lying is inconceivable to Him. The truth of Hebrews 6:18 means we can wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises in anticipation and excitement, having full confident hope that we will see the promises of God manifested in our lives.■

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