Waiting for the Promise

Dearly Beloved,

This morning during my quiet time, I read the story of Sarai (Sarah) and Abram. Sarah, as well as her husband was growing old in age and eventually grew blind to the thought of being able to naturally conceive a child. Her sight was wounded and therefore her faith in the promise of having a child grew thin. She literally was like "God how long are you going to make me wait? I'm not getting any younger, what's the hold up, and why am I waiting so long? Aint nobody got time for that!" lol (in so many words) So due to her doubt and growing frustration, she took matters into her own hands and it eventually grew into something that God never intended to be in His plans for her life.

Genesis 16: 1-2
Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, "The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her."

Have you been waiting on something so long that you literally would do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to get it? Like, you would go through drastic measures because you're so desperate to receive the thing that you can not wait for any longer. Are you waiting for a man, or a career, a baby? 

Speaking from my own experiences....WAITING IS HARD!!!!
Especially if you have seen the vision, God has shown you the dreams, He would sometimes give you the plans to write down. I had a friend who would come up to me explaining that she kept have countless dreams about a man that could very well be her husband and that he was looking for her. Now does that mean go out and look for him? NO! Because sometimes our desires can transpire into dreams that won't leave you alone due to the fact that you want it so bad. And because the enemy knows that you want it so bad, he will keep playing it over and over in your head until he eventually convinces you to move before God's timing. You surely don't want to awaken love before it's time, because that desire can put you with someone who may not even be your husband. And due to your impatient self, you're left stuck with someone who physically abuses you or cheats on you. 

Waiting is difficult especially if years have gone by and your expectations have not become your reality. Eventually your patience becomes thin and you become so desperate for the vision that you move before God's hand.

Sarah was literally fed up with waiting and basically took matters into her own hands. The consequences for her actions left her with baby mama drama, jealousy, hurt, and pride. And guess what? She had no one else to blame but herself because she moved ahead of God's timing.

God had a plan for Sarah. She was not forgotten. He had a plan to bless Abram and Sarai with their very own baby. A plan to bless the world through their offspring. Isaac (their child) would be the fulfillment of God's promise to them. That plan was definitely worth the wait.

Sis, God's plans are worth the wait. His plans are perfect. He has plans to prosper and make you into a great nation. He has plans "that will make you thrive and not be knocked down by life's setbacks" (Jeremiah 29:11-13). You may be tempted to take matters into your own hands, thinking that God is just "a little late". But don't risk God perfect intentions for you, by relying on your own schemes and plans. Wait for that promotion, be patient for that husband, wait for that career. Why must you wait you ask? God wants to build character in you, He wants to strengthen your faith in Him, He was to mature you in certain areas, and He wants to prepare you for the promise. You don't want to go into the promise with fear, doubt, and things that would prevent you from thriving in the promise. 

Side Note: My Pastor once told me that if I had the opportunity to meet TD Jakes or Tyler Perry and had nothing prepared or in hand to present to them, I wouldn't be ready for the door to be opened to me. I would need to get things in order naturally and spiritually before that promise was to be made available to me. You need to be ready so that when the time comes for God to open that door for you, you won't have anything holding you back from moving forward! So take joy in the preparation process. God wants His children to be fully equip when walking into the promised land!

Waiting for God's perfect timing can save you from years of heartbreak and turmoil! God has not forgotten about you, He is actually behind the scenes preparing the way for you. Remember, God is faithful and always keeps His promises....even if you have to wait! 

P.S God has three answers to your prayers, yes, not yet, or I have something greater in mind! :)