God’s perfect timing and why it’s important in our lives.
God’s Timing and Its Significance In Our Lives
God’s timing is never-ending.
Monday, I wrote about timing and mental health. What I didn’t mention was God’s timing, which I always find interesting and unexpected.
Like all this with my a-fib. Why did my husband insist I contact my doctor when he did? Why did a friend suggest I find a doctor out of town because I had a three-month wait otherwise? Why did we cancel our trip this weekend before we knew I needed another appointment with a cardio electrophysiologist? (Yes, there is such a thing.)
We make our plans; God directs our steps. We time things, and God does his thing anyway despite our timing. I am so glad he does. Aren’t you?
God’s timing is often surprising
Let me share what happened the other day.
I still have a “boom” box, and I still have old CDs. Years ago, I recorded some with my favorite workout music. I also had a small CD recorder, and when I traveled on my own, I sometimes recorded on it. At that time, becoming a writer was not on the horizon. I did often conduct seminars and retreats. I used that recorder to capture some thoughts because when you’re driving, you can’t jot down notes. Right?
Anyway, I’m on my treadmill listening to my music, and all of a sudden, I hear my voice. Apparently, I had taped over one of my music tapes. I can’t write it all here, but here’s the essence.
It was basically about wasting our thoughts and energies on issues we can do nothing about. Can I just say I loved how I said it? (I hope that doesn’t sound too boastful, but honestly, if I didn’t know it was me, I would have been even more impressed.)
Stressful times
This has been a stressful few weeks. I went from thinking I was the healthiest person I know to finding out I’m not. Never expected that. But compared to what others go through, and many I know well, it’s nothing. That doesn’t mean I liked it, though.
I haven’t listened to that particular CD for years. Why did I pick it up that day? I say it’s God’s timing. He wanted me to hear it from my own voice. It was almost as if God used my voice to convey his truth. It was quite something.
God’s timing is perfect.
But what does the timing of these events mean? What is the purpose?
His timing Is reassuring
I think it means that God knows I need reassurance even if I don’t. And he has graciously provided it just as he does for you.
The purpose? I don’t know in specific terms, but I do know his general purpose, one of which is to know him better. To know he can be trusted. Are there events around the corner for which I’m being prepared? That’s often what I do. Jump into the future and look for the worst.
Proverbs 3:4-6.”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t trust your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.”
It takes patience and faith to trust in God’s timing.
Perhaps the way to do that is to recognize his timing. We need to be sensitive to it. And when his timing doesn’t agree with ours, we must learn to accept it.
We had planned on heading south for a few days, but with all these appointments, we won’t be able to. We had also planned a European trip this fall, but because of the blood thinners, that’s on hold as well. I am disappointed, and do I get God’s timing? No. But I’ve learned his timing is always right. And with his perfect planning comes blessings I might not receive otherwise.
Embracing God’s timing allows us to let go. We now no longer have to control everything. There is such freedom that comes from surrendering to God’s timing.
Practical ways to trust God’s timing.
- Know his word. When we know his word and know the stories, we see how God times things for the best outcome
- Review his past timings in your life. This isn’t easy because we have such flawed memories. But try and think of some times when you questioned God’s timing only to realize later that had he not timed things the way he did, it would have been disastrous.
- Memorize scripture to reinforce your trust in him. The reason for this is back to number the previous point; we have poor memories. But memorizing Bible verses we can quickly recall, will reinforce our faith in God and, consequently, his timing.
Potential consequences of not accepting God’s timing.
I could write volumes about this from my own experiences. I will share one quick snippet. This says it all.
Years ago, my husband was offered a job with an impressive salary, one we couldn’t have imagined in our future. We were so overwhelmed didn’t even think twice or pray once. That’s because we assumed such a good thing could only be God’s timing. After all, it was so out of the blue. It had to be God’s timing. Right?
Wrong.
It was the worst three years of our life. Eventually, my husband left and found another job at two-thirds of his previous salary, meaning the one three years prior. It was a hard lesson to learn.
Remember, not everything that comes our way, even like an unbelievable job offer, is from God. It might very well be, but unless we take time to pray, read scripture, and think, we might foolishly jump ahead.
Conclusion
It’s not easy trusting God’s timing. It doesn’t mean we don’t trust him, but we want things to happen when we want them to happen. We’re human. I guess that could mean we aren’t trusting God completely because his timing is a part of who he is.
Trust God’s timing for your life. That doesn’t mean you sit back and do nothing. We are to move forward while we wait for God’s timing to be revealed.
God bless and have a great rest of your week.
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