Enduring Until Brighter Days

Hey Sis! Top of the morning to ya’, top of the evening to ya’, or top of whatever time of the day you’re reading this. I’m just grateful that you are here. I can’t believe that we are already halfway through this new Summer Series: Blossom + Flourish. Time is flourishing itself, I see. So how about we jump right on into today’s devotional? But first, don’t forget to grab a pen and paper, and a tissue box, just in case.

Last week, we talked about painful endings leading to new beginnings. We reflected on our seasons of difficulty and pain but emphasized trusting God’s faithfulness through it all. Then we ignited and anchored our faith with scriptures Matthew 7:14 and Romans 8:18. These scriptures remind us that we will indeed experience pain, but God will use it for His glory as He brings us into something new—a new beginning.

Now that we have done some reflection and have received the revelation that something new is on its way, I’m sure if you’re like me, you are experiencing what I like to call “Christmas Eve Energy.” Think back to when you were a little girl, and it was the night before Christmas. You were filled with anticipation, knowing that when you woke up the next day, there was going to be something new awaiting you. Whether it was something you asked for or didn’t ask for, you just knew within you that your mother, father, or caretaker was going to bless you with something new.

Quite honestly, I never got a good night’s sleep on Christmas Eve because my mind would be moving 100mph, questioning what new gifts I was going to open. I even tried to listen for footsteps or presents being wrapped. And can we be honest here? Were you like me—sometimes plotting how to find your way downstairs or to the room where the Christmas tree was, just to get a little sneak peek? Instead of waiting just a few more hours (because let’s be real, you stayed up way past midnight anyway)?

This illustration reminds me of how it can be when we know God is doing a new thing in our lives. We become so excited that we want it now! Like the actors in those “It’s my money, and I want it now” commercials. So excited and ready that we almost become impatient and demanding of God. Praying the same prayers over and over. Looking for constant confirmations. Questioning God’s timing. Or even becoming discouraged, disappointed, and discontent.

We have to be honest with ourselves and with each other and admit that waiting on God is not easy. Especially when we can feel in our spirit that He is about to do something new. Whether it be moving to a new location, leaving a job for an increase somewhere else, new relationships, new resources, new opportunities, or newness and healing within our souls.

God is always ready to bless us with new. He is our biggest advocate and wants to see us blossom and flourish as His daughters. He does not keep any good thing away from His children. However, because He is all-knowing, He knows the perfect timing and the perfect place to bless us with something new.

James 1:4 says, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” God’s plan is to give you 100% of the blessing—full, complete, and perfectly timed. But sometimes, in our impatience, we rush the process, not aware that we are settling for less than 50%. Certainly, this is not what God meant when He said He can do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ever ask or think, right? (Ephesians 3:20)

We cannot allow impatience to rob us of the fullness God has in store. His timing isn’t a delay. It’s a divine setup.

Also note: God watches us closely to see how we respond in seasons of transition, because patience and endurance are critical and we must possess both as He elevates us and blesses us with the new. Not only is He making sure you are ready, but He’s also ensuring that the new things, places, and people connected to your blessing are ready too.

God does not half-step with His blessings. That’s why we must trust His timing, embrace seasons of transition, and endure with faith until the brighter days He has faithfully promised come to pass.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, My God in Heaven,

I want to start this prayer by thanking You for Your consistent love, mercy, and grace. Despite my shortcomings, You are always showing up and showing out in my life. Thank You for never leaving me nor forsaking me, and thank You for always being on time.

Lord, I want to praise You in advance for what You are doing behind the scenes. I know that You have great plans for my life—plans to prosper me and not to harm me. I ask that You give me the wisdom and strength I need in seasons of transition and seasons of waiting.

Allow me to be patient, because Your word in James 1:4 says to let patience have its perfect work in me so that I may be full and complete, lacking nothing. Lord, with You, I have everything I need. Right here and right now, there’s nothing more that I need, because I have You.

Lord, show me how to endure and how to wait on Your perfect timing. May I be content here and now—not asking for more, but simply trusting that You are working all things out for my good.

And Lord, when You do see that I am ready for new blessings, help me to receive them and handle them with care. And may I always be reminded of the journey and the seasons I endured before each blessing.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scriptures to meditate on this week:

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)