Small talk can be a challenge for me; I want meaningful conversation. At times, crowds overwhelm me. The anticipation of large gatherings where I will see many familiar faces causes undue stress as I think of the number of 30 second conversations I will have to hold. Oh, the brain power that takes, jumping from one friend to another, from one topic to another, recalling memories from long ago, making the connections needed to carry out a meaningful conversation leaves my brain reeling from over-stimulation. 

In my roles as pastor’s wife and mom of 6 very involved children, situations like this happen on the regular and seem to be taking a harder toll on me as I age or have added health challenges. 

The Common Question Answered

It was bound to happen. A 30-second conversation that left me unsettled. I saw this person from a short distance away, a friend I have known for 25+ years, but haven’t seen for over a year. Certainly we can skip the small talk, I thought, so I approached her with a hug. 

When the common question, “How are you?” came at me, I responded honestly. “It’s been a hard season. A really hard season.” 

Her response surprised me and left me questioning how to respond: “Aren’t they all?” 

Comparatively speaking, I have to admit no, they aren’t, but in that moment I didn’t really know where to take the conversation. “Some definitely more than others though.” 

And as I saw my family moving closer to the door, I knew I’d have to wrap up this conversation quickly. We didn’t really share any further details of each other’s lives, but rather mentioned it was good to see each other. We made no future plans to get together, even though it was probably on both of our minds. 

Realistic Perspective

Days following that conversation, I’m still thinking about it. Maybe my friend was sharing her more realistic perspective of the Christian life. 

“In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33) 

Jesus literally promises that we will have trouble as we live in this sin-darkened world. Why should I expect anything different? We are not yet in the glories and perfection of heaven. Instead we are still living on the same earth that Adam and Eve did as they turned from the Lord in rebellion and their desire to serve self.

So every season is marked by some sort of trouble, uncertainty and distress. Read more about that in Becky’s previous post. https://newmorningnewmercies.com/?p=1011 While being surrounded by the Lord’s blessings, we still experience heartache, loss, chronic physical pain, chronic emotional pain, broken relationships, temptations and mental torment. Jesus knew we would experience these things. As he journeyed closer to Calvary, he knew his disciples would experience these things too. He tried to prepare his disciples. The men who had walked with him in his public ministry and heard and seen so many miracles directly from Jesus still weren’t fully comprehending all that Jesus was to accomplish. 

Proper Perspective & Promises

“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” (John 16:12-14) 

The disciples were in a hard season. Jesus was speaking to them in ways they did not yet understand and he was about to leave them. But he wasn’t going to leave them alone. No, the Holy Spirit would come and give them power and make God’s glory known. 

We are living in these New Testament times, after the fulfillment of Jesus’ first coming. We hear from eyewitnesses to his birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension. By the work of the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit that came to the disciples on Pentecost, we have faith that believes the promises of Scripture. 

Jesus didn’t just leave the promise “in this world you will have trouble” stand by itself. He knew the hard situations we would face and sandwiched it between two beautiful promises. All of John 16:33 reads, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Season of Waiting

We are currently in the season of Advent – the season of waiting. It is in this season that I feel God coming to me again through his Word. For half a year I have been in a season of waiting and uncertainty. I identify with the apostle Paul who talked about a “thorn in [his] flesh” as I continue to battle with health issues that are confusing. For someone who has often taken on a number of tasks, my quiet days at home feel lonely and are now often spent asking God to reveal to me what he’s doing with my life or what next steps I should take. 

Wait, he says. 

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:7)

All too often our anxiety causes us to think we have to do something. Read the next personal growth book. Seek help. Take prescription meds. Or that if I experience health issues or anxiety that somehow it’s my fault. The “should have, could have” mantras in my mind are endless. Then I take those thoughts captive and instead I hear the comfort again.

Wait, God says.

He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

But he said to me, “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, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Advent has been a good reminder that Jesus comes to us regardless of our circumstances. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:4-5, 10)

Are you waiting for God to reveal his next plan for your life? What do we do in a season of waiting, a time when we wonder what is God going to do with us? 

While We Wait

We thank him for his goodness. I woke up this morning. My heart is beating. My family is loved by Jesus and loves Jesus. I was able to study his Word in my own quiet time and with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

We pray to our God who hears all our pleas. We ask him for patient endurance. As we pray, we trust that he will give us only what is good for us. 

We minister to those around us. Is there a hurting soul you will encounter today? Does a friend need prayers and a word of encouragement? If your energy is sapped, can you text or handle one meetup this week? 

God prepared good works in advance for us. We can not overlook the opportunities even in seasons of waiting. Moreover, we can not undermine how God is still using us in times of quiet waiting.

I once had a mentor tell me, “When you are waiting for God to reveal the ‘what next’, use the time to fill yourself up with him. Study his Word. Let him fill you up again. He wants to equip you.”

Often I think back on her comments and realize that if I were always in the seasons of go, go, go, do, do, do, I may not take the time needed to fill myself back up. So I also pray for a healthy balance. God certainly wants us to serve and use our gifts, but he does not want us to neglect him and his Word in the process. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:6-11)

So each day in this world of trouble, uncertainty and waiting we put on the full armor of God so that we can take a stand against the devil’s schemes. The devil wants to pull us away from God with every ounce of his being. But God has lavished his love on us, wraps us in his mighty arms and carries us through this life. 

While we wait for the ultimate relief we will have in heavenly glory when Jesus takes us home or comes again, we take our feeble selves and lean on God. He will provide a way forward. 

My soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:20-26)