Spiritual Wait-Lifting #3

We are beginning to explore five “habits of unfaith” that Christians struggle with while in the wilderness of waiting. Paul Tripp (in A Shelter in the Time of Storm: Meditations on God and Trouble) begins with this first one:

“Giving way to doubt. There’s a fine line between the struggle to wait and giving way to doubt. When you are called to wait, you are being called to do something that wasn’t part of your plan and is therefore something that you struggle to see as good. Because you are convinced that what you want is right and good, it doesn’t seem loving that you are being asked to wait. You can see how tempting it is then to begin to consider questions of God’s wisdom, goodness, and love.”

Isn’t it amazing how self-centered we really are? We seem to focus only on what we think is right and good, without considering any other perspectives, especially God’s. If we are delayed or disappointed in our plans, then we immediately turn to doubting God.

This habit of unfaith isn’t going to solve any problems; in fact, it will probably worsen them. When we begin to resent what seems like a delay to us, we should resist doubt and instead cultivate a heart of trust.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:7-8