How to Find Peace in a Waiting Season
by Ruthie Gray
After a harsh West Virginia winter rife with bone-chilling temps, snowstorms, and floods, I am ready for summer! Sometimes winter in the mountains seems fifty years long…
Seasons can seem insufferably long. In empty nest, I experienced bouts of waiting that tied me up in knots. I wondered how often my kids would change their college majors, move back home and out again, and Will they ever find a good job, spouse, or church.
Another season of waiting began with my caregiving journey. I didn’t see it coming, as I was rearing teens, and my parents were relatively young. In those early years, my life was fraught with health emergencies.
I homeschooled my youngest children while mapping out college and wedding plans with my oldest. Even though the caregiving role threw me, I thought if I could solve my parent’s health issues, life would return to normal.
But my season of waiting lengthened, and “normal” never returned. As the caregiving role intensified, I realized the era was here to stay – currently, I’m fifteen years deep. However, I’ve learned a lot of lessons through this long journey, and thankfully, I’m not the same person I was in the beginning.
LONG WAITS HAVE PURPOSE
Over the winter, God impressed upon me the significance of long waits. We read example after example in Scripture of ordinary people waiting long periods for answers. However, God showed up in miraculous ways in several instances.
Sarah waited until she was ninety to have a baby. That baby would start a generation of millions, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.
Elizabeth waited into old age to give birth to her son, John (the Baptist), who blew up Jewish culture, challenged Israel’s faith, and paved the path for Christ’s ministry.
Christ was born after four hundred years of silence from God, which is probably why the Jews doubted He was the Messiah; Israel’s prophets had become extinct.
Long waits in the Bible often superseded dynamic change.
Long waits in the Bible often superseded dynamic change.
In Gideon’s day, it was rare to hear from the Lord. Israel, under siege and oppression, hid in the mountains, caves, and dens until God directed Gideon to conquer the oppressors with a teeny tiny army of three hundred.
Israel suffered in Egypt four hundred years before God called Moses to lead this nation out of bondage.
AN UNEXPECTED ANSWER
The lady with the issue of blood suffered for years, consulting doctors without a cure. But then, Jesus showed up; she touched him, and he said, Your faith has made you whole, go in PEACE (Luke 8:48).
Peace. How long must we wait for it? Until our circumstances are perfect? Jesus says nope (my paraphrase). John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my Peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
According to Jesus, peace is the believer’s possession. Your faith has made you whole, go in PEACE.
Be whole. Claim Peace. Peace for now, and Peace for always.
How long do you have to wait for God’s answer? Possibly days, perhaps always. But friend, your answer is not THE answer because there will always be another question, another waiting season.
The woman Jesus healed likely encountered more problems. Life wasn’t smooth sailing because He cured her main issue, although that was life-changing.
But honestly, the actual life change was the Peace she received.
Child-rearing is a long, windy season, full of bumps, sorrows, and joys that transition into adult parenting, a season mixed with joy, uncertainty, and often, heartache. Enter the caregiving season with its ebb and flow. Sometimes, it lasts several years.
Life is full of unexpected change. Maybe you’re waiting for a diagnosis, a child to return to the Lord, or relief in a long caregiving season. But if you have peace, then no matter the circumstances, you will have longevity.
How long you must wait for God’s answer is not the question because there will always be another. The better question is, am I willing to practice faith in this season? (Even just a teeny tiny bit – like Gideon’s army?) Jesus says you don’t need a lot (Matthew 17:20). Over time, your teeny tiny faith will grow and flourish.
And that same faith brings peace, no matter the circumstances of your season.
I’m so glad summer is here! Seasons come and go. My caregiving era will someday end, and then, I will begin a grieving season. But if I claim Christ’s peace, it will sustain me through each journey.
If I claim Christ’s peace, it will sustain me through each journey.
Are you in a season of waiting? Be encouraged, grow your faith, and lean into Christ’s peace that passes all understanding.
About Ruthie
Ruthie Gray is a GenX mom, 15-year caregiver, and author of Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose. As a self-proclaimed “juggler of generations,” Ruthie believes her God-given purpose is to impart peace, joy, and wisdom to moms managing the demands of multiple age groups. Ruthie is the host of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcastand the Next Steps Retreat for Empty Nest Entrepreneurs, and you can find her resources at RuthieGray.com.
Author: Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of your Passions into Purpose
Mom Mentor & Host of the Sandwich Season Sanity Podcast