#Online Bible Study

What To Do In Your Waiting Season

So the Word doesn’t match up with the “physical reality”… Who cares? #2016, My year of transformation!
Put some shades on, Nations and kings are coming to this light!
~6:35pm, February 16th 2016

*******************************

I have prayed and asked God to help me write this post today.
I don’t know if I can call it a Bible Study per say, I just know that it keeps ringing in my heart and when stuff like this happens, I know it’s for someone and it would be a tragedy for me to hold back from writing regardless of how I feel.
I just know that God wants to encourage me and someone out there today through His words in me so let’s let Him do so shall we?
If you have been a regular blog reader at least from the end of last year, you would have gotten the memo that this year, God’s Word to me for the season is that it’s a season of Greater Glory.
A season of His glory rising upon me (and everyone who’d key into it).
And I really do believe His Word with everything in my heart…
BUT…
Practically nothing “physical” in my life right now looks like God’s glory.
Maybe that statement is taking it too far but I will explain…

 

 

Isaiah 60 is God’s Word to me for 2016 and if you would read the promises in there, you’d be blown away to the moon and back.
First He says that Nations and king’s shall come to the brightness of our rising…
And then He says that the wealth of the Nations shall come to me…
And then He says that king’s shall attend to my very need…
Well, this is what my “physical state” looks like right now…

 

My account is practically red and if care isn’t taken I just might have to be attending Church once a week for now.
Uhm, the 1k subscription for BlackBerry might be placed on hold and blogging might turn into something else.
And oh, the only place in my heart to work at… I’m still waiting for them to reply me.
And then the registration of Awakening Youths NGO, I am waiting to get provision to both do the registration, set up the website and start work at Schools (breakthrough has started happening here).
Uhm, what about my books?
I’m working on my second hard copy book on NYSC and let’s just say for provision, the angels are gonna cause the money for printing and all to come.
So basically I am in a season where I am holding on to God quite literally for His work and Word in my life to come to light.

 

 

Now, everything I have written up there about where I am right now is strictly based on human knowledge.
I have to admit that it was even a struggle to paint my life like that in writing because my spirit kept disagreeing with it.
Basically I have eaten God’s Word to me so deeply, I even don’t see those stuff as nothing.
I didn’t realize that till I started writing and the reason for that is because I have been using my waiting season for what it’s meant for.

 

A conversation sprung up between my brother and I yesterday morning.
At 4am his alarm rang and I heard him going to the bathroom and all.
I was awake and praying in the Spirit.
When he came into the room to dress up, I asked him if he had to wake up this early to go to work… if he would be late if he leaves later than 5am and he was like the traffic is usually mad and he prefers to get to work early and sleep at work rather than be stuck at traffic.
Then he asked if I was imagining my life when I start working and I was like yeah.
And he said “don’t worry, all these ones (praying and all) you are doing, it’s because you have time, start work first…”
I quickly said God forbid, my time with Jesus won’t go down because of the gift of a job He has given to me.
Infact, I did my quiet time on Remaining in Jesus from John 15 afterwards just to let it sink in that as soon as my vital union is cut off from God, I am basically NOTHING.
But that conversation had me thinking…

 

 

There are different seasons in life to BECOMING who God has called us to be.
We are currently studying on “becoming God’s own kind of women” in our “the women at the well group” and one of the women we are studying is Deborah.
The Bible only talks about when she became Israel’s judge, it doesn’t talk about what happened in the process to her becoming Israel’s judge.
There must have been many silent and waiting seasons in her life.
Even if she knew about God’s call on her life from maybe when she was a teenager, God would still have had to build her up in seasons we can call “silent and waiting seasons”.
What do you think that Deborah was doing in those seasons?
Did she become a lioness leading Israel to war in a day?
No.
In those silent and waiting season, she must have subjected herself to God to be built up by Him.
I have found out that most of us misuse our silent and waiting seasons.
We keep looking forward to the next season (which is a good thing) forgetting that God has something He wants to do in us and with us in the waiting season.

 

About two weeks ago when I was getting a bit ruffled up with waiting on God, He told me “there is a season here and there is a next season, praise me in THIS season”.
God expects us to remain joyful in every season He has us, including the waiting seasons.

 

But some of us just can’t find it in us to be joyful.
Notice that He said be joyful, not be happy.
Happiness is determined by your physical circumstances while joy is determined by your life in Him.

 

Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful!”
~Philippians 4:4, God’s Word Translation.

 

I came into Lagos on January 27th 2016 and as soon as the bus entered Lagos, I started speaking God’s word into my life.
But then I got to my friend’s place and the word I heard made it seem like I would be homeless if care isn’t taken.
I remembered God’s Word to me on my way to Lagos and instead of being down, I took my pen and journal, dated the day and poured out my heart in trust and thanksgiving to God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
~Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Then I went on singing praises to God.

 

I believe that in the silent season, we experience tests that sadly, we fail more often times than not.
Pastor Ose during our conference last year talked about how we maybe suffering and still have a song rising up on the inside of us.
But then instead of us to sing the song, we go on complaining and murmuring and grumbling.
All the while God is saying “give me my song, give me my song”.
There is a song for every season, a song that isn’t supposed to be held back by physical circumstances.
That song is a song that spills out of God’s joy in you, joy that no man can tamper with.
When God sees that you do that consistently in your silent season, He knows that perhaps, that character change He intended to happen in you is taking place…
Pass the tests in your silent season… sometimes they come so subtly that we don’t even recognize them.
They come in the guise of “chose worry or praise”.
They come in the shape of “wake up early and pray or sleep because you have nowhere to go to”.
They come in the hidden places of “believe God’s word to you or give up because you don’t see it happen”.
Oh dears, pass the tests in your waiting season!

 

My mind goes back to my conversation with my brother and I am thinking, for all of us also, how many of us have established a strong and healthy and secure relationship with God, so much so that when the busy season comes, God knows that it won’t take you away from Him?
If you are in a silent and waiting season, that’s not a time to feed on movies, it’s a time to get built up in the Word of God, so much so that it becomes your sustenance, without it you know you will literally die!

 

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”
~John 15:4-8 NLT

 

As soon as my brother said “it’s because you have time that’s why you are doing all these ones”, I refused it!
I remembered that any branch that is cut off from union with Christ cannot bear fruit and will be gathered up in a pile to be burned and I don’t want that to be me.
Jesus is the one in whom I live, move and have my being.
I must be joined to Him, without Him I will shrivel up and die! All the talents and gifts and ministry He has given to me will not thrive without Him.
The minute I forget that I will be left behind (God forbid).
So I know that this silent and waiting season is a time to get filled up with the Word, let it be my sustenance and ensure that no other thing can take its place, no matter how busy I get or no matter the platforms God takes me to.
We have lots of Christians today whose jobs have taken the place of vital union with God, it’s not their fault per say but we can stop ourselves from being that person.
We have a silent season right now to use and be built up in God.
What are you doing with your waiting season?

 

This is a time to build up your faith in God.
To be built up in radical faith where the physical circumstances doesn’t shake you.
You see them but you have such crazy faith, only the Word of God to you makes sense to you.

 

 

A season to stock up heaven with prayers from your lips.
You literally should be on your knees, be it physically or in your heart 24hours a day.
Others don’t have the time to do that, but you do, so use it well.

 

Everything I have shared today is for me too.
I shared what my life is like “physically” right now just so we get a feel that I am not writing from an abstract place.
I feel you all in waiting seasons.
I know the tears…
I know the pain…
I know the calculations as you ask “how long Lord?”.
I know the pain as you read the Word that’s so true to your spirit but in far reach in the physical…
But let this waiting season be a time when the spiritual becomes your life… thats the only way to move into what God has for you in the next season.
Pass the little tests in this season…
They are hidden in your prayer life, praise life, joy filled life, word based life, union with Jesus and faith in God.

 

 

God has us firmly fixed in the centre of His palm.
And believe it or not, the waiting season is for our good.
Let Him mold us and release us into the next season, baked and ready to tackle what He has for us.
He won’t give us more than we can bear and He is with us all the way.
Do your part and let Him work in you even as you stay grounded in God in the waiting season.
Prayer:
Father I thank you for your Word – the only truth that there is.
I thank you for grace to be molded and prepared by you.
Thank you that even now you are with me walking with me all the way.
I declare that you are my self-sufficiency and in every season you have me, I am content as long as I have you.
Help me to decipher the seasons and times and use them for what it’s meant for.
Always and forever, I love you.
Thank you Lord, in Jesus name I have prayed, amen!

 

Are you in a waiting season right now?
Have you been in one before?
What helped/ has been helping you to hold on to God?
Please share with us in the comment section below… let’s draw strength from the family of believers.
Till our next Online Bible Study,
Love,
Frances.
PS: I apologize that there was no post on Saturday and Monday, I had issues with logging into my blog dashboard… so the video I made and all for Valentine thingy can safely be assumed to be meant for next year.
Let’s leave it at that
It does feel good to be back.
Please say a prayer for me for strength and grace to stay faithful with writing and blogging for Jesus.
Thanks loves.

 

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16 Comments

  • Reply
    Agnez Audu
    February 17, 2016 at 10:41 am

    Hello Frances,me love d name frances and me thinks my babygirl in d womb(not yet there shaa but soon)would love it too. I have missed u soo much on bbm and I’m grateful that you’re bak. And I pray from my heart that bcos of this blessings from God’s word and wisdom nuggets u leave behind after every study,God will soo gloriously take you to that height you desire and make u shine like d star that you are,i pray for much grace in dis season of our waiting and thank u Jesus for the testimonies dat will be rolling out soonest from dis waiting state..Glory to God!! Frances,d word of God is working in me…its actually working #hope u understand sha#winks

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      February 17, 2016 at 2:21 pm

      Haha, I understand Agnes babe! Gloryyyyyy to God! satan eating dust where He belongs again!
      It’s permanent…permanEnt.in Jesus name, amen!

      And awwwww, your daughter…Frances…after moi… I can’t write what my heart is saying.
      from your lips to God’s Light!ears babe!

      And yes, testimonies are rolling in soon… after the valley comes light! light! Ligh

  • Reply
    Mobolaji
    February 17, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    Frances. God richly bless you.
    You kuku already know my story too. This is timely because even my post for today is on something very related to what you’ve shared!
    Yesterday, I became mad at God and could not understand my waiting period. Sigh, this flesh!
    I was about to watch a movie and it was like Past 6. But since I meet with God by 8, my Spirit said to change the movie to a message. I was still struggling.
    I obeyed and stopped the movie. Went to a folder of audio messages I got from a friend and found a message titled ‘Faith & Prayer.’

    The message was almost an hr and though it was audio, I couldn’t even be distracted! I just kept thanking the Holy Spirit for guidance to that message. It was exactly the word I needed for my life!
    As explained in the movie, I had been wishing and not praying, backing it up with true faith! And I didn’t even realize this!

    In fact, my prayer was different yesterday because of the Rhema! This God knows us more than we know ourselves.
    He had seen me sulking and knee that that message was the guide I needed!

    Honestly, this waiting period can be hard and unexplainable; but I wouldn’t trade it for anything! Nada!
    I’m so blessed with all God is teaching me in this period.

    I even made a picture of the 3 verses of promises He gave me and used it as my wallpaper yesterday to constantly remind myself of them! His promises are always true!

    Sorry for the epistle!

    I love you girl!

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      February 17, 2016 at 10:03 pm

      Sorry for epistle kwa babe?
      Thanks for sharingggg.

      It’s so good to know that the Word is coming in due season… and just look how God directs us to what we need at the right time.

      I await your testimonieSSS Mobolaji…God is too faithful to fail…

      Love you three!

  • Reply
    Amaka
    February 18, 2016 at 1:08 am

    This waiting period is not moimoi. It’s a big deal mehn.

    Me I’m just here saying “OK o, I have heard Lord”.

    Thanks for writing, Frances. I find this very encouraging. We’ll wait in hope. And while we wait, we should be enjoying our ride with God.

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      February 19, 2016 at 3:57 pm

      Amen to INTENTIONAlLY enjoying our ride with God Amaka, amen to that!

  • Reply
    gabbyspeaks
    February 18, 2016 at 9:20 am

    When I read this post I remember I was dere last year, at that point of waiting. God changed my story at the end of the year. I waited and prayed for a change and it has come. Now am in a phase when am so busy and most times all I have are God’s word I had studied in my time of waiting.

    I have to work extra hard by God’s grace to study and pray and also have time for my work with Jesus. Its been smooth and its been rough. I just miss my every 12 noon sitting at Jesus feet. My faith has been under attack too but God has given me victory.

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      February 19, 2016 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks for sharing Gabby… its sooo important to build sturdy foundations with our quiet seasons.
      God help us to so…

      And may the victory God has given you in your walk with Him be permanent in Jesus name, amen!

  • Reply
    Mateyscott
    February 18, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    Thanks for this Frances.

    I just want to leave you with this encouragement for whenever doubt starts to creep in. This was the word God specifically gave to me yesterday.

    ‘Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure….. think on these things’ (Phillipians 4: 8. )

    The main one for me is whatsoever things are true. We know the word of God to be true. It’s yea and amen so no matter what goes on, don’t leave his truth.

    And like you said, the joy of God will still always be there because despite all that goes on, the Bible tells us to be of good cheer. To have joy because God is working.

    And when it comes to work, we have God to teach us and give us wisdom so we can balance well.

    God bless you and make a way in the desert for you. Indeed, doors will open unto you and you will never be left stranded. We serve a faithful God. Since I was born and now I am getting older, I have never seen the lord forsake the righteous or his seed beg for bread.

    You are sorted. Keep shining on him. I will be praying for you.

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      February 21, 2016 at 2:46 am

      Where do I start from Mayowa?
      First amen and amen to your prayers…thank you! thank you! They are needed!

      And thanks for the encouragement..encouragement from the only truth there is :God’s Word.
      Thank you.
      *thankful for you.

  • Reply
    Graciemama
    February 18, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    God bless you for this. I will have to read it all over again to sink in.
    Applying for jobs and getting multiple rejections can hurt.
    I know God is too faithful to fail. Even though i an doing a temporary job for now, I’ve been doing it with joy in my heart that My next level testimony is on its way this month.

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      February 18, 2016 at 8:46 pm

      Gracie your words… “I KNOW…”
      This KNOWING is what should never be shaken… God’s working even now. so we stay #thankful as He perfects all He’s started with us.

      *love

  • Reply
    sayo
    February 18, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    Hi Frances, I have been a ghost reader for long time now. You have been a blessing and a source of inspiration to me. Since the beginning of d yr, all you have been posting so far has been in accordance to what God has been telling and teaching me. Psalm 40 has been watchword during this waiting period, but honestly it hasn’t been easy at all.
    Thank you so much for being a vessel of Honour and I pray greater works would be dome through you in Jesus Name.

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      February 21, 2016 at 2:49 am

      Hi Sayo…
      Yay! Glad to see you come out of the ghost readers side of the fence.lol.

      Amen and amen, simply glad to be used in any way…
      Thanks for sharing that passage, will read and study too to get “truth” (which it is) from it.

      God bless you and keep you firmly fixed in Him, in Jesus name, amen.

  • Reply
    Ugochi
    February 19, 2016 at 10:53 am

    Waiting is hard because hope deferred makes the heart sick.
    It is however easier to deal with waiting as when you are busy pursuing God’s assignment for your life. Instead of dwelling on how and when you will get married, get busy fulfilling purpose, many times in the midst of fulfilling destiny, people met their spouses.
    God’s grace to all those in the waiting!

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      February 21, 2016 at 2:52 am

      Thanks so much Aunty Ugochi…
      Truly, waiting is hard but like you said, we can focus on living for God even more in this season… as we do so, He’ll come through (which He is doing right now) and will do even more while we remain stable in Him and His word and works

      God’s blessings ma’am!

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