Eighty years is a long time to wait for God to be ready to use you in your life’s great work. Even though Moses lived to be 120, he still spent two-thirds of his life in preparation. God knew exactly what He was doing with Moses, and we will see on Sunday that when the time comes, Moses will be prepared for the task (albeit a little reluctant at the get-go).

But not everyone who is in a lull in life is waiting on God. A person in a holding pattern may also be wallowing, worrying, or wimping out. How do we give ourselves a quick gut-check when life slows down to make sure we are waiting on God and not merely failing to act?

I’ve much to learn before rendering anything definitive on the subject, but here are a few thoughts that may be helpful.

Wallowing

What is it?

By wallowing I mean inaction resulting from past or present suffering.

Why is it bad?

Scripture tells us that there is a season for mourning, and we should all share in this season with those who suffer. But there comes a point when the mourning settles and a decision point is reached. We must either trust in the supernatural grace of God to strengthen us for living, or we succumb to the, “I just can’t…,” bondage of retreating into a malaise. We should have great sympathy for those struggling to regain vitality after suffering, but it nonetheless is the case that wallowing in our grief is a form of faithlessness that does not take into account the kindness or resources of God.

How do I know if I’m wallowing?

Have you stopped fighting for joy because of a past hurt or present trial?

Do you justify failure to walk in basic, daily, spiritual disciplines because you “just can’t”?

Do you see a pattern of retreating from Christian fellowship and meaningful relationships?

If the answer to these questions is yes, it may indicate wallowing.

What do I do?

Honestly share your struggle with God and repent from a faithless doubting of His ability to work in your life.

Find a godly saint you can be completely honest with and ask him or her to help you set God-honoring goals for reestablishing holy habits in your life. Faithfulness in the little areas often leads to the ability to be faithful in the larger areas.

Worrying

What is it?

By worrying I mean a fear about things that haven’t yet happened which delays or paralyzes our decision-making in the present.

Why is it bad?

We are explicitly commanded to be anxious for nothing in Philippians 4. Anxiety may stem from forecasting past experiences into future possibilities, but when our fear of the unknown prevents us from doing what God has commanded or called us to do, then it is a problem. Wisdom and discernment are able to mitigate against harm by walking wisely. Worrying seeks to avoid harm by choosing not to walk at all. The only controlling fear in our lives ought to be the fear of the Lord. When we are willing to disobey Him because we fear some other threat, then we have challenged His sovereignty. And, well, that’s not good.

How do I know if I’m worrying?

Do you often find yourself stressed or obsessed with situations that haven’t happened?

Are there important decisions you are putting off because you do not want to face the possible outcomes, even though you know which decision would be righteous?

Are you fonder of expressing your confidence in God’s care for you or more likely to run up a list of possible horror scenarios when discussing your future?

How would your friends describe you?

What do I do?

The antidote to anxiety is tactical prayer. Philippians 4 gives us the process. Cultivating a heart of ceaseless rejoicing and charity to all (v. 4-5), we battle worrying by honestly talking to God about our fears through prayer, asking Him for help by supplication, and remembering His benefits to us in thanksgiving (v. 6). In return, God promises that He will guard, as a divine act, our hearts and minds with His peace, through His Son (v. 7). We cooperate with this blessing by determining to think on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise – and not thinking about anything else (v. 8). This leads to a life of active obedience again in being a disciple of Jesus (v. 9).

Wimping Out

What is it?

By wimping out I mean choosing not to act in a way God has prescribed because of a lack of confidence in ability or power.

Why is it bad?

There is no shame in knowing one’s limits. But there is shame in either choosing not to develop one’s strengths because it requires effort or in acting like God has limits. Hard work is meant to be a source of blessing in life. Laziness often prevents us from doing what God has called us to do, not because we fear bad things will happen, but because we fear it will tiring. As G.K. Chesterton once said, “[t]he Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”

Sometimes we wimp out because the odds against us seem to threaten failure, and we fear failure. The Christian, as we have already discussed, is not to act out of any fear other than a fear of God. Paul was rapidly approaching his own execution when he wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1 to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. There is no such thing as true failure for the obedient child of God. We must be of good courage.

How do I know if I’m wimping out?

Are you characterized by being a hard worker in whatever you do (not just the fun stuff)?

Do you find yourself making excuses to cover a conscience guilty about avoiding the hard effort of godliness?

Do you fear the opinions of others should you fail more than you love the pleasure of God should you obey?

Are you spiritually stronger today than you were a year ago because you have exerted yourself (agonized, as Paul would say) in loving God and others?

What do I do?

Repent before God of your laziness or fear of man, and ask God to grant you the grace to serve with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Find someone in Christ you would consider both courageous and patient, and ask them to disciple you.

Waiting

What is it?

A godly waiting is the patience to remain where God has placed you until it is time to move.

Why is it good?

Godly waiting produces humility in us by reminding us that God does not need our efforts to accomplish His will, and that our own character needs time to develop.

How do I know if I’m waiting?

Is your decision to stay a result of circumstances beyond your control? Then rest in the providence of God. Is your decision to wait a result of love for God and others and not fear of man, laziness, or pride? Then rest in the wisdom of knowing that you cannot help but fulfill the law of God when loving Him and others according to Scripture (Matthew 22:37-40).

Are you afraid of wasting the strength of your youth? God doesn’t need youthful strength to accomplish His will – ask Moses.

Are you stuck in a situation that underutilizes your expertise? Ask Paul what it was like being a whiz Jewish scholar sent to evangelize the Gentiles.

Do you seem to be having little impact? Would you tell Isaiah and Jeremiah that their lives were wasted because nobody listened?

When we are waiting in a godly way, it cannot help but be used for our good and the glory of God. Once we find out what we were waiting for, it will be worth it.

Disclaimer: A gut-check, by definition, is short and to the point. Please don’t let this be a bludgeon if you are in a season of trial. I needed a gut-check for my own soul this week. If it is helpful to you, praise God. If you would be better served by sitting down with a brother or sister in Christ to talk about what’s going on in your life – that’s great too.