To Walk or Stay
I have a friend who is struggling with a situation in her life. The enemy is trying his best to steal, kill, and destroy all that she has. In the midst of this, God is reaching out to her and asking if she will walk in patience with Him. Will she give Him the time needed to turn this around?
We understand patience when the context is to be patient with our loved ones or others. But to be patient with God for the purpose of giving Him time to turn our situation around—this is asking a lot of a person, especially when they are looking back as a witness on the destruction of something that was once so promising.
I wonder if this post has found you in a place where God is asking you the same question: “Do you have the strength (patience) to turn to Me and let Me walk you through this?”
One of the most powerful things I have learned in my walk with God is that my trials tend to unmask my weaknesses. Once my weaknesses are revealed, I am left with a decision to make.
Will I walk away from the person and the situation or can I stand still and let God work to save my relationship?
In my pain and anger, I feel walking away would be the easy decision. After all, I have been hurt by this person and have a right to walk away. Entangled in my thoughts of leaving, I hear God’s voice softly speak to my heart.
The thing I LOVE about God is the fact that He is not demanding. He understands the hurt we have been through. He gets that our hearts can only take so much. So He gently asks us, “Will you walk away or can you stand still and wait for Me to turn your situation around?” James tells us why we should consider God’s request:
This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear,
slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man
does not achieve the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20
Our anger (though understandable) will not achieve the righteousness God is looking for. He wants to develop Righteousness in our character and will use our trial as the vehicle to use when we are willing. Standing still means we are willing to not only be patient with Him, it says we are willing to recognize our weaknesses and walk through them -one by one.
Facing our unrighteousness can be tough. Sometimes this reveals where we are wrong in the situation. Facing ourselves means we are putting a Holy mirror in front of us. God’s Holiness reveals the areas we need to change. But God gives strength to those who are willing to be patient with Him…
But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
God’s Word tells us that if we will wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength. We will mount up with wings like eagles. God spoke to my heart once again as I read this verse. Mounting up with wings is a promise to those of us who choose to walk in patience with Him to the end. The wings represent flight, or an easy flow of things. Once we overcome one of our weaknesses, the road ahead will be so much easier to navigate. Our character is strengthened and our relationship has the chance to turn around, as God is now able to use us as His vessels.
To the one who is reading this post and facing a trial of your own, I ask you the question: Will you walk or will you stand? I pray you will choose to stand and let God turn your situation around.
* * * * * * *
Here are a few more verses to further encourage you:
And let us not lose heart in doing good,
for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.
Galatians 6:9
And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly,
encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.
For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.
Psalms 37:7-9
Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk
in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
showing forbearance to one another in love,
Ephesians 4:1-2
About Cherie Zack
You are talking to me. And because of that I choose to stand. Let Him work everythin out for me for the path seems to be blocked!!!
Ann, so excited to hear that God is reaching out to you. I’m lifting you this morning before God’s throne and asking Him to not only show you His deep love for you, to also remove the mountains that are set against you!! I trust God. Because of this trust I know He is going to move in mighty ways for you! Can I encourage you to “enter in” with Him? He wants to strengthen you for what is ahead and will reveal areas that He wants to either change or eliminate from you. These areas could be the very things that are causing the “Blocking” you are experiencing. Excited to hear the testimonies that will soon come forth in your life. Blessings, sweet lady 🙂
oh, i echo ann’s statement…cherie, you surely are talking to me! thank you for asking that hard question today (“Will you walk away or can you stand still and wait for Me to turn your situation around?”)…i am choosing to stay; to stand still; to wait. <3
Amen, Coleen!! I LOVE to wives STAND!! There is a marriage movement that is happening and God is the Head of it!! Love that you chose to stand!! <3
Thank you, Cherie, for sharing this aspect of patience. It seems as I read this that to have patience with others, I must choose first stand and have patience with God. I must allow Him to do His perfect work. Wow, I don’t like to “wait around” for a result, I want it now. “Lord, forgive me for my unrighteous impatience!” Thank you for the verses to convict and encourage me!
Clella, some situations make it hard to wait on God or allow Him the time He wants to walk through our hearts to see what needs His perfect attention. Many times I have said No to His promptings. I didn’t want to face my own issues. I felt I had a right to be hurt and mad and to even walk away. In my mind I could simply lay it down (including the person) and walk away. I was justified in doing so because of the hurt they caused. I definitely did not want to give the time to wait for God to work it out. Time to me meant prolonged or more hurt. I have since learned that I need to do this and my relationships are stronger because I did. 🙂
Love your heart to turn to Him! 🙂
I sure needed to read this, this morning! The gentleman I was with for 5yrs are currently working on putting our relationship back together with God in control of our relationship.
This is exciting, Michelle. Were you already and working to restore the marriage or are you guys working on your relationship and looking at marriage in the future? 🙂
I am traditionally a stander. That isn’t to say there haven’t been a few situations in my life where standing was nearly impossible to do. And my big question, because I am such a firm believer in standing at all costs, is when and where do you draw the line in an unhealthy friendship and love from a distance while God works in that person’s life? I will stand, but is there a time when I need to stand over HERE while God works over THERE? Sorry to answer your question with a question, but that’s where my heart is this morning. Great post, my friend. Love you big bunches.
Yes, Lisa!! There may be a time when you need to separate yourself from the situation. We are so used to trying to figure things out for ourselves or listening to the way the world handles conflict that we forget to go to the One Who knows our beginning, present, future, and end. God is Who holds the right answers. Going to Him first is the right way to gain clear direction. He will tell us if we are to walk away and will confirm this through His Word, a sermon, or a friend. But we first need to ask Him.
Love you too and love that we get to walk this journey together!!
I sit here in tears knowing God is speaking directly to me. I have been dealing with a situation for years and I am tired, exhausted, and bone-weary. I have asked many times lately “are you really working in this, God?” My head knows that He is but my heart just wants it fixed and healed already. It is difficult to stand and wait on God’s perfect timing. I really struggle with this. But I continue to choose to stand knowing God will fully restore what was lost, someday.
jen, we are praying for you and your marriage…holding your arms up as you STAND firmly knowing He WILL restore. <3
Chris August “restore” beautiful, encouraging song for marriages 😉
Praying with you, Jen!! I sense this is your confirmation to continue in the direction God has you on. I’m praying His time to bring this all together for you is very close. The Holy Spirit reminded me of this verse as I was reading your comment:
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” -Habakkuh 2:3
Not sure why but I trust God wants to say something to you within these promising words!!
Thank you, Cherie, for this great teaching on patience!!! I’ve been in that standing mode for a number of years and I am beginning to see results. Having patience with God – to just stand – is one of the greatest tests of our faith and trust, but it also develops one of our greatest strengths. It’s no wonder patience is called a ‘virtue!’ 🙂
Excited that you are starting to see results from your labor in prayer. God is so Faithful!!! Virtue is not just given out. I believe it is earned and why Patience and Virtue are linked together in God’s Word. The act of Patience is a learning process and once we start to get it, virtue is what we gain. I love how God works “all things” for our good.. even the art of learning to be patient! There is so much that can be taught on just this area alone. 🙂
Wow! Another fb ministry posted similar Words! http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-virtuous-life-how-patience-can.html?m=1
So sweet, Robin!! When God has a message to share, He tends to share it through many!! <3
I’m Standing !! God is faithful, through out this situation i’m facing with my husband, God has shown me my own weakness and short comings. He has shown me my own faults in our marriage. I’m not the only one who has been hurt, He has shown me that when we are truly honest with ourselves there is no room for finger pointing, and placing blame we are all broken, we all need Him ! The more He strengthens me to stand and wait the more thankful I am for my Savior and the endless compassion and mercy I’ve been shown and I pray I show that same compassion, understanding and mercy to my husband and others.
Ashley, more people need to hear your story!! Just saying!! <3
🙂 Cherie, I pray in Gods timing, He will provide an opportunity for me to share the changes He made in me and my marriage. His will, His way 😉
I agree, sweet Ashley!! <3
A dear friend taught me to ask God for a word of knowledge concerning what I was waiting for and what I needed to wait patiently for God to do. This has revolutionized my life. As I asked God for a word of knowledge, He totally showed up and let me see in the Spirit what He was doing. My attitude has changed about the situation and about learning to wait on God patiently. Thank you Cherie for sharing your wisdom. God is incredibly good.
You’re so welcome, Jenny. I’m excited that you listened!! He will always give us a “Word of Knowledge” when we ask for one. Sometimes He gives them when we don’t ask for Him to, just because He wants to help us through what we are walking in. I love how He can say 3 words to me and they turn into a 1,000 instantly! Love you, Jenny!! Excited to see that you too have chosen to Stand and be Patient with God!! <3
I love this, Cherie! I have done this challenge twice and it changed my life. I prayed, “Let patience have her perfect work… for months and I did gain patience. I do not think I could ever have to much I Cor. 13 love in my life. Love all the verses you listed here to munch on too. I will digesting this for awhile. Thank you, Cherie, for writing this study. I cannot wait to do it with a local group!
wow so amazing!! Thank you so much for the hard questions. I needed it so much. Right now God is doing some painful pruning in my life and He’s placing me in places where patience is a must. He has helped me so much get through job loss, addiction, marriage almost ending, and He is a long-suffering patient God. He is creative and just and loves me enough to point out where my weaknesses are. iron sharpened iron, thank you again. I look forward to blogging on thursdays in this study. God is good always!!!!
Standing is definitely worth the fight!
Psalm 40:1. I waited patiently for the Lord to help me and He turned to me and heard my cry.
As you read verses 1-3 you will see 4 benefits David received for waiting. 1) God lifted him out of despair 2) God set his feet on solid ground 3) God steadied him as he walked 4) God put a new song of praise in his mouth.
Although this blog post was written in November of 2013, it spoke volumes to me today! Nov 1st is my 11th wedding anniversary. I’ve wanted to give up many times … but I choose to continue to stand and allow God to do the work He needs to do in my marriage. I’m tired. I’m weary. But I know God is faithful and He will continue the work He is doing in my marriage! I know I will see my husband truly giving his heart to Jesus, not just in word, but his actions will show his love for Christ! I know I will see my husband set free from strongholds & bondage Satan has on him. The chains WILL be broken and he WILL be set free, in Jesus’ Name! That’s why I choose to stand, & wait on God. So very thankful for running across this word of encouragement today!
Christi, don’t you love how God’s Word is timeless and is fully empowered to meet our needs no matter the day, week or year!! Committing my faith with yours and believing all these areas will come to pass. God will not tarry!!!
Thanks, Christi, for bringing this study to the “surface” again. You’re right, Cherie, that God’s Word is timeless. So many wives are standing for their marriages. I pray God will give each His strength and patience to stay standing and see the victory of the Lord.
Oooops… meant to say this was written in October of 2013 … not Novemer, as I stated!