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Everyone goes through tough times during certain periods of their lives.   As Christians, we know in our heads that God is working in and through those times. But often our emotions take over.  Fear and worry may set in.  Trusting God’s Timing is a key to overcoming the fear that tries to take over our thinking.

Waiting is Difficult

As we pray and trust God in difficult situations, we must wait for His timing. When we don’t see answers to our prayers happening quickly, or not in the way we expect, we may wonder why God isn’t coming through for us. We might fear that things will only get worse. Some people even reach the point of feeling that they’ve been abandoned by God.

Don’t Let Fear Take Over

Fear is the enemy of faith and trust in God. We know we should not fear, but sometimes it’s easy to allow fear and worry to take over. Fear is a natural human emotion. However, God wants us to live a supernatural life, rather than a natural one. We need the perspective of trusting God, who works outside the realm of earthly time. He has an eternal perspective.

Reading, memorizing, and quoting Scriptures that address trust and fear can help you when fear tries to take over.  Also, worship music that speaks of trusting God will lift you from fear to worship, prayer, and faith.  Reminding yourself to trust His timing will help you as you wait for His answers. Think back to when you have seen Him through at just the right time.  He is weaving together all the necessary details to bring about the right plan for you.

Remember That God is Working Things Out With Your Best in Mind

Romans 8:28 states that all things work together for the good of those who love God.

God is working together things for good from the perspective of bringing about His perfect plan in our lives, so that eternity is impacted.  However, we usually view this verse from a personal, rather than an eternal, perspective.

Imagine yourself in a very difficult situation, such as losing your job, your home, a family member, or your investments. As you trust God to work good out of your bad situation, you are watching to see how He will bless you as you go through this situation. That’s OK, but His timing and purposes may be much greater than you can imagine.

He may be looking at how many lives will be changed for eternity by the witness you have as you go through this.   People may be watching you and marveling at the peace and joy you express. That could lead to an opportunity to share Christ with them.

Or what if your loss causes you to move, to visit a hospital often, or to find a new job? There may be someone you will lead to Christ or mentor in the faith at this new location – someone you would have never met if you had not gone through your loss.   In God’s eyes, one person coming to salvation would make it worthwhile for us to endure difficult situations as we wait for His timing.

Trust that God will keep His promise from Philippians 4:19:

My God will supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory, through Christ Jesus.

Don’t Let Fear and Bitterness Rob You

If you give in to fear or bitterness over the losses that you face, your opportunity to positively affect those lives for eternity might be lost.  If you fall into a complaining spirit or let fear control you, people will not see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in you.   If they see fear and negativity, they won’t be attracted to Jesus, who lives in you.  You will not be at peace until you turn your thoughts and spirit toward Jesus, trusting Him.

Forcing Your “Answers” Leads to Poor Decisions

Additionally, if you surrender to letting fear take over, you may not be able to discern God’s will in the situation. You might rush into an answer of your own making, and it could be the wrong decision.  The choices we make by trying to control our situation, rather than yielding it to Christ, will lead us away from God’s best plan and can result in further difficult circumstances or loss.

Pray, Trust, and Wait on the Lord

We need to take time to inquire of the Lord and to wait for His answer. By trusting Him and letting Him lead us, we will see the Romans 8:28 effect in our lives.

I have experienced this many times.  I remember the emotional pain I suffered when a close friend turned away. I couldn’t understand why that was happening, and I let my mind dwell on it until I was able to fight the negative thoughts. I turned my mind to thankfulness to God and trust. The result was that the time I would have spent enjoying her company was poured into building relationships with teens in the youth ministry I was leading.  Those relationships were crucial to their coming to follow Christ.

Additionally, I recall the questions and dismay I felt when I lost my job in a full-time Christian camp ministry.  Although I had to work many long hours for three years, I loved the opportunity to minister to children and youth there.  But God knew that I needed to move to where my aging parents were.  He provided a job and housing that were close to them.  I was able to spend the last few months of my dad’s life with him, and was with him when he passed away.  And I continued to help my mother through her many ailments and loneliness until she passed away also.  If I had not lost the job, I would have missed these precious opportunities.

The job that the Lord opened for me in that new place prepared me for a different career that was interesting and rewarding for the rest of my working years.  I look back and thank God for the loss of that job!  His timing was perfect.

God’s plan is much bigger than my own plans!  So when fear and worry try to set in, I turn to praising Him, knowing that He is working everything together for the very best.

The following article may help you discern what God is doing in your difficult situation:

When Your Plans Bump Up Against God’s Plans