7 ways to deal with delays in your faith journey

Delays in our faith journey in the Christian context can be likened to unexpected pauses, detours, and seemingly prolonged waits that interrupt a believer’s pilgrimage.

These delays often go against our timelines and expectations and serve as pivotal moments of challenge, refinement, and spiritual growth. Essentially, they are sacred spaces where our faith is intricately woven with threads of patience, perseverance, and trust in God’s plan.

Let’s take Abraham as an example. Abraham was promised a son, but he had to wait many years for Isaac to be born. Wearing a colorful coat, Joseph faced delays in betrayal and imprisonment before rising to a position of influence in Egypt. Moses was called to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, but he wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and experienced delays.

These Biblical examples resonate with the nature of delay in our faith journey. They teach that delay is not synonymous with denial, but rather represents a sacred pause that shapes our character and refines our faith.

Abraham’s trust in God’s promises, Joseph’s resilience in the face of adversity, and Moses’ steadfast leadership during the wilderness period highlight how delay, when viewed through the lens of faith, is a transformative chapter in our spiritual story.

Perspective is also important. Turn frustrating break delays into sacred breaks. It prompts us to adopt the words of Isaiah 40:31. “But those who wait on the Lord will be renewed in strength, and will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, and they will walk and not faint.” Therefore, rather than resenting delay, we are called to accept delay as a promise from God, recognizing that waiting is not in vain but preparation for what is to come.

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Imagine you are playing a very cool video game called “Life”. And God is the game designer. He has grand plans for each of us, like a wild adventure map. But here’s the kicker. His timing is unparalleled. Sometimes, when he hits the pause button, we think, “Wait, what’s going on?”

Why does God Press pause? It’s as if God is conditioning our hearts and shaping our character. Imagine you are baking cookies. The waiting part is tough, right? However, just baking it in the oven will give it the perfect result. God’s delays are like oven time for us, making us stronger (and kinder) in God’s plan.

While we are stuck in a snapshot, God sees the big picture. We may want things as soon as possible, but God’s timing is top notch. He has a master plan and every delay is like a plot twist that makes the story even cooler.

So when life puts a brake on you, don’t stress. It’s how God works his magic behind the scenes. God has your back. And in the end, you will look back and see that those delays were a twist in your adventure with God. Trust God and keep hope. Delays can be frustrating, but remember that they are just part of the grand journey God has planned for you.

Now let’s talk about how to deal with unexpected timeouts in our Christian journey. When life throws us a delay, we have some great tools in our kit to deal with it and thrive in the waiting game.

Let’s check them out:

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Do you know of a hotline to God? That’s right, prayer! When a delay occurs, it is like calling directly to the Almighty. Pour out your heart, share your concerns, and let God know what’s going on. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but pray about everything. Tell God your needs and thank Him for all that he has done for you.” Don’t shy away from prayer meetings!

2. Toggle the viewpoint switch

It is important to see delays as opportunities. Instead of feeling stuck, think of it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and become an even greater version of yourself. So let’s turn that delay into a cool plot twist in our faith adventure!

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