Waiting well Archives - Joy Margetts

It is only one week to go until Christmas Day! Has panic set in, or are you all ready and just willing for the wait to be over? I guess for children, and those among us who are children at heart, the last few days of waiting might feel like a lifetime. For others of us we might prefer to stop the hands of the clock, to suspend the wait, as we just don’t know how we are going to get everything done before the big event arrives.

WAITING FOR THE WAIT TO BE OVER

The Christmas story is full of those who had to wait. Simeon and Anna had to wait until they were well advanced in years to see their promises from God fulfilled. Joseph and Mary had to wait to hold their promised son in their arms, and their wait would not have been easy. Bearing the shame of what appeared to be a child born out of wedlock. The fear-filled journey to Bethlehem and the lack of a room when they arrived. Not to mention the physical demands of pregnancy on a young woman’s body.

And what about Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s parents? Luke’s gospel tells us that the Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah as he was fulfilling his duties as a priest and promised that he and his wife would have the son they had prayed and longed for, even though she was past childbearing age. Understandably perhaps, Zechariah had his doubts. The Angel tells him that because of his unbelief he would be struck dumb until the child is born. Have you ever wondered why?

OUR WORDS HAVE POWER

Luke 6 v 45 tells us that ‘out of the heart, the mouth speaks’. So what comes out of our mouths is evidence of the state of our hearts. We also know that what comes out of our mouths has the power to kill or to bring life ( Proverbs 18 v 21 )

When we are waiting, in the same way as we have to be careful what we think about, we also have to be so careful what we say. Moaning or complaining is in effect speaking out a lack of trust in God to keep His promises. Speaking out of doubt or fear has the same effect. I don’t want to give the enemy power over me by agreeing with his thoughts about my situation. I have to choose to speak with faith, or not speak at all. So my ‘if God heals me’ becomes ‘when God heals me’. I come into agreement with heaven with my words and faith is released.

SAYING NOTHING

Perhaps in Zechariah’s case it was better that he said nothing, rather than speak negatively about the situation he found himself in, while waiting for the Angel’s words to be fulfilled.

And the first words on his lips when he got his voice back? A Holy Spirit inspired song of praise, and prophetic declaration. His wait had been a silent one, but I believe he had drawn closer to the heart of God during it.

Joy Margetts is new to blogging, and new to being published. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. A work of historic fiction, set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, it is also a story of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, will be published by Instant Apostle in July 2022

More information on Joy and her writing, and links to purchase her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

WORRYING THOUGHTS

Now I have to admit I could very easily have allowed myself to worry about that. The thoughts coming into my head might have gone something like this. The roads are going to busy. He won’t have slept much in the last few days,. Will he be careful and keep his concentration? He hasn’t driven a long way for a couple of months. The car isn’t particularly reliable; he won’t have checked the oil, water or tyres. He’ll drive too fast… I have to admit those were all thoughts that warred for attention in this poor mother’s mind.

If I had allowed those thoughts to settle and dwelt on them, then very quickly the excitement, anticipation and joy that I was feeling about welcoming my son home, would have been overshadowed with fear and anxiety. My wait would have been spoilt.

CHOOSE OUR THOUGHTS

We actually have a choice to decide what thoughts we meditate on and which we choose not to. This is a very important principle for every day of our lives but is especially important when we are waiting for God to fulfil His promises. That waiting period can be hard and there might be many valid negative thoughts we can allow to fill our minds. Does God really care? Will He keep His promises? What if He doesn’t? How much longer must I wait? Does He hear my prayers?

Phil 4 v 8 tells us to fill our minds with much more positive and life giving thoughts.

So, rather than let fearful and anxious thoughts dominate our thinking we can choose instead to keep our minds busy with thinking about good, lovely, positive things. Reading scripture, listening to worship music, talking to an encouraging friend, can all help us re-align our thoughts when we feel overwhelmed by negativity.

THINK ON GOOD THINGS

My son has long flown the nest, but he still comes home for Christmas, and I will probably still be tempted to worry about him driving over. But I hope that my thoughts about his homecoming will be much more along the lines of how amazing it will be to see him, how we will enjoy his company over Christmas, and the fun we will all have together. And perhaps most importantly, my thoughts will dwell on how good God continues to be to us, and just how much He loves and cares for us all. My son included