Do you ever feel stuck, trapped in your current environment?
When we are in the midst of challenging circumstances, it’s easy to be discontent, depressed, even miserable. Sometimes our situation can feel so unbearable we imagine we must be in the wrong place. How could living in God’s will be this painful?
We need relief and imagine it will only come if we move out of our present situation–quit a job, break up a relationship, join a different church, relocate to another city…
I’ve been there. I have been so desperate for change that I almost couldn’t breathe, like the air in my surroundings was sucking the life out of me. I’d cry out, “I can’t deal with this any longer!”
During one such moment, I remember making a bold decision that would have drastically changed my circumstances. After talking it over with some friends, I was determined to move forward with my action plan. However, as I drove home that evening, I kept hearing a voice in my head, emploring me to spend 100 days in prayer before taking any steps. Ugh! I did not want to wait. I needed relief NOW!
I had been praying over this decision for months, years. I had looked for God’s guidance in the pages of Scripture and had sought wise counsel from several Christian friends. I felt as though I had been patient, waiting for the Lord to show me what to do…and He had given me my answer…or had He?
Had I heard from the Lord or had I decided I was tired of waiting for him to relieve my frustrations?
“100 days of prayer” echoed in my mind, and I couldn’t push it away. I don’t know where that number came from; I don’t believe there’s anything special about the exact number. But I am convinced the Holy Spirit was speaking to me powerfully in my desperation, helping me recognize the importance of being still before the Lord long enough to discern his voice. So I vowed to do just that–put off taking any further action and simply lay this decision before the Lord for one hundred days.
Ladies, it did not take one hundred days for God to very clearly tell me, “No!” and show me a different path he wanted me to take. Almost immediately and daily, the Lord spoke to me in various ways–through the Bible study book I was already reading, songs on the radio, texts from friends, scriptures “magically” appearing on Facebook posts, and sermons that seemed to be written just for me. I heard from the Lord repeatedly and obviously that I should not move forward and simply wait on Him.
So I waited. Relief did not come immediately, but overwhelming peace did. My environment didn’t change much, but I did. As I waited on the Lord and trusted He would bless my obedience, I found ways to persevere, overcome, and see with a new perspective. Slowly my circumstances improved, and God brought healing, comfort, and relief to my situation.
Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.”
If you are anxious to move, determined to step forward on a path, I encourage you to stop for a moment (or one hundred days) to be still. Let all the bustling of life fade to the background. Block out distractions. Stop moving so you can see where and how God is already acting in your life.
Listen. Wait. Watch.
I promise–the Lord will fight for you! Be still so you don’t miss it!
Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14
Growing By Surprise 