Archived: May 1, 2017

"Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we're waiting."- Joyce Meyer

In October of 2016 I applied for my first journalism internship. One extensive application, two letters of recommendation, five short answer questions and five samples of my writing later, I prayed that God would come through. I never heard back from that newspaper. 

Seven months later: Having gone through another heartbreak and then still not receiving an internship, I was convinced that Ashton Kutcher was waiting in the background and would at any point jump out and tell me I was being Punk'd. 

By the middle of April my laughter turned to tears. I watched as all of my friends were accepting internship offers, making decisions on graduate schools, starting their own businesses, getting full time job offers, getting engaged, moving in with their significant others, starting families, etc. I was over the moon excited for my friends but I will admit I felt extremely left behind. I mean, Why wasn't God blessing me? 

Then I did something out of the ordinary, for me at least. I embarked on a social media fast for a week. Alongside one of my prayer sisters Chauncey, I deleted my social media apps from my phone and committed to spending that time listening to whatever it was God wanted to tell me.

Slowly but surely, I received clarity. When Satan would try to sneak the demon of comparison in my life through backdoors, I shut them. When I felt like I should be scrolling, I prayed or reread my devotional. (Don't worry there will be another post coming soon about the benefits of a social media fast!) What was God telling me to do? Wait on Him.

On May 1st, 8 months after I applied for my first internship, I received and accepted an internship offer. Over 15 applications, lots of tears and many prayers later, I had received what God had in store for me. The crazy part? It wasn't even close to what I had planned on doing, yet it combines my passions and interests perfectly. You see, the author and finisher of my faith had already created an opportunity for me, all I had to do was wait on Him. I had to intentionally put my trust in Him. So...how can you be more intentional in waiting on your blessings?

1. Don't have spiritual amnesia

Sometimes when we are so focused on receiving one specific blessing we forget about the many other blessings God has given us OR we spend so much time looking at someone else's grass that we don't take the time to appreciate that we even have grass. I had overlooked so many of my blessings because I was focused on getting an internship. If God has blessed you before, He can do it again. Don't make God remind you of what He's done for you. It's not cute when He does it, just ask the Israelites. Besides, even if He never blesses you again, you still owe Him praise from past blessings.

2. Tend to your blessings now

Let me be frank, God isn't going to enlarge your territory if you don't show Him you can be a good steward of your current blessings. He's not going to keep giving you better jobs if you keep passing the collection plate like it's a hot potato. Show Him that you are not only grateful for your blessings but that you are responsible with your blessings now.

3. Be flexible and humble

You have to be willing to sit aside your will for His.  Trust me, I know this is hard but fighting with God on His plan for your life only prolongs your wait. Stop thinking that you know what is best for your life. You don't. It's a humbling experience but you have to be willing to say "Not my will but your will be done God."

4. Cheer on others

In your season of waiting, others in your life will be blessed. Cheer them on. No one likes a hater and frankly not only is it ungodly, it's not cute. Comparison truly is the thief of joy and is a tool used by no one other than Satan himself. My pastor said it best this past Sunday: "You need to be in someone else's amen corner." God is big enough to bless you and all those around you, so cheer them on in their triumph and God will make sure that others do the same for you.

5. Don't settle for less than God's will

Waiting can sometimes make you feel like God is never coming through. I'm sure Joseph, Abraham and Moses felt the same way. That being said, don't become so discouraged in waiting that you're willing to compromise. It's easy for us to settle for crumbs when we don't know that God has the entire cheesecake waiting for us. Resist the temptation to settle by staying grounded in His word and keeping an open line of communication between you and Him. 

Lastly, I want you to remember Isaiah 40:31: "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." God is waiting on you like the Stevie Wonder song. He's saying "Here I am baby

Ah, you've got the future in your hand. Signed, sealed delivered, I'm yours."

 I pray that this post will help somebody who is struggling in their wait. Know that your time is coming but while you wait, be intentional about it. At the top of my blog you'll find links to my Twitter and Instagram, please reach out if you ever need me or you have any comments, questions or concerns! Also, please let me know what you think of the new theme on my blog! I have plans to revamp the entire site this summer and I can't wait for you all to see what I have in store. Be blessed.
 

Stay sassy,

Stephanie