Lisa is having foot reconstruction surgery today and will be hospitalized just 24 hours and the resting, elevating, and icing in coming weeks. She will do her best to respond to messages but may be delayed a bit.
When you keep asking to land and have a life outside of your circumstances, and God says ‘wait,’ how do you remain steadfast? Lisa shares.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7).
Last week my son needed a hug. The chaos of our home as I prepared for foot surgery and weeks of immobility added a new layer of stress to the typical day for each member of our family. He wasn’t upset about something–just everything–life. I sat down on his bed and held him close.
“Oh, hon…” I said. “This isn’t the life I want for you right now. This isn’t the life I want for Dad. I don’t know what God is doing, but I know He is taking care of us. We are just in a holding pattern.”
Have you felt like that frequently on your journey through chronic illness? I explained, “I wish I knew what God is doing. We all want to land somewhere and get on with life. God is taking care of us–He is refueling us while we are flying around up here. We aren’t crashing! But we aren’t getting anywhere either. But God is going to do something. He knows eventually this plan has to land!”
Holding pattern: “a state of waiting or suspended activity or progress.”
That is what life feels like right now. My husband is still in school. My son is being homeschooled. My illness continues to progress. Each of these hold “the best of times” and “the worst of times.”
But what is the plan? None of this is the “abundant life” God intends for us to have (John 10:10).
What I know for sure it that God will never leave us or forsake us. And if this I am certain, God never suspends our lives–it just feels that way.
He is active in ways we cannot see. He is preparing the landing strip–complete with new pavement, but also a band, a grandstand, a snack bar, and even a parade, because He is a God who gives “more than we can ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20).
To be still before the Lord, as this Psalm says, means holding firm to faith when feeling stuck in the holding pattern. It means not doubting God is at work, perhaps even in party-planning mode, while we feel invisible behind the clouds.
My instinct is to want to radio down to the controllers and demand a landing strip right now. My personality style would be to try to land and trll God that if He doesn’t want that he can prevent the landing gear from working.
But I am trying to grow beyond my instinctive responses and rely on my faith. I can’t wait to see what God will do when I choose to not get in the way, thereby allow my impatience to alter His best plan for my family.
Prayer: Lord, my life seems to be on a different path from people I know in nearly every way. I struggle not to compare and desire that ‘normal’ life. Remind me that patience is rewarded by You, especially when it seems You are not at work at all. Help me find peace when I am in that holding pattern and waiting to see where You will have me land. Amen.
About the author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and has so been appreciating your kindnesses, notes, emails, prayers, and even donations for our ministry. She is having foot surgery as this posts and is hoping for a smooth recovery and to enjoy toes that no longer point directly north. Hugs to you.
Have you experienced seasons when it felt like God would never allow your chaotic life to calm down? To just let you get out of the holding pattern and land? What did you rely on in order to be patient during these times?
Praying for you now Lisa! May God guide the surgeon’s hands to restore your foot in a miraculous way 🙂
That message couldn’t be more tailor-made for me right now! Thanks Lisa 🙂
I’ve felt like I’ve been in a holding pattern being away from family for 5 months & waiting, waiting, waiting for the sale of our house to finally go through, so that we can move back together as a family. I slurped up every sentence & say “amen & amen” to your prayer! Thanks HEAPS for the awesome ministry you give to me each & every day through Rest Ministries. God bless you & your family abundantly. LOTSoluv Kerryn
special prayers for you dear sister and servant of the Lord. .. I too long for good health. “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” coupled w/migraines far too often have me looking up to heaven for release from this broken body 63 yr old body, yet not my will but God’s will be done. I see my purpose- my kid’s stumbling around. Oft times, I can do nothing more but pray. A prophet is without honor when her name is MOM! And what is a prophet? anyone God chooses to speak His words through…I don’t think of myself as a prophet, more of a scribe who receives words for many…Special prayers for that peace which transcends human understanding for you, you husband and son…
“I saw a poor soul walking, along like’s rugged way, with shoulders bent by life’s burden, I could do nothing more but pray. For my own lot has me broken, as I struggle day by day, yet I thank God sincerely, when I can do nothing more but pray. For through the intercessor, great burdens off shoulders fall, and though I lie here broken, my faith stands firm and tall. For I’ve learned the mighty power, of the heart bowed in earnest prayer, and witness the mountains tremble, “PRAYER BREAKS THE DEVIL SNARE!”…While in my bed of brokenness, I’m challenged by pain every day, but God’s sweet spirit calms me, when I can do nothing more but pray. So if you see me broken, tis only this body of clay, for my faith in God stands firm, stand tall, when I can do nothing more but pray…”
by alicejoy Lowder
Bless you Lisa. May God give you all the patience and grace you need in the recuperation stages.
Praying the surgery and the recovery will go smoothly Lisa.
Blessings,
Fiona
Praying for grace and peace to be yours as well as your hubby and son during your recovery period.
I don’t know if the place I’m in right now, a place of feeling overwhelmed by more and more common duties is a holding pattern but I do feel stuck here. Nor do I find that my chronic issues are improving my normal slow pace.
Lisa, I have been blessed by your devotional. Yes, I, too, cling to the truth that God is at work in and through my life even though it seems to me that I’m too caught up coping with just plain living.
Gentle hugs,
Beth
HELLO LISA ; A JOY OF HEART AS ONE OF YOUR FRIEND. I’VE BEEN BLESSED IN REST MINISTRY. FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO TRUST THE LORD. IM PRAYING FOR YOUR SURGERY ; YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS. AND HEALING. YES ; HARD TO WAIT. I’m waiting for… GOD’S PROMISES .
STILL WAITING FOR HIS PROMISES.
MAY YOU FIND PEACE AND TO EXPERIENCE
GOD’S PRESENCE.
DON’T WORRY…
Yes Lisa. I empathize with you. I will also be having foot surgery, my husband is losing his job … Etc. I will uplift you to God. I will pray too!