All of us have experienced a “meantime or “in between” time. We have prayed and we believe God has heard, and then the “waiting” time begins. How long will it be? We soon realize that our waiting periods vary in length. Often this can be a time of much frustration and questioning. However, regardless of the duration of the waiting time, it inevitably stretches and tests us in the areas of faith, trust and patience.
During your meantime God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. The call of God on your life is being developed during this season. It is a time of preparation, conditioning and strengthening. The longer and more intense the “meantime” is, the more challenging it is to endure. Remind yourself of God’s Word which says you CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13) Seek the Lord, pray and believe God has heard your prayers. Stay in faith — your answer is on the way!
What can you do during the “mean” time while you are anticipating your breakthrough? What should your attitude be? Is there some advice that would help you avoid becoming bitter, giving up or losing faith? Recently Pastor John Davis of Sunday Revival, Branson, Missouri shared some wisdom nuggets from God’s Word regarding this. These are the “BE’s” for the meantime. When practiced they are beneficial to everyday living as well as during your waiting season.
Be Faithful! Revelation 2:10 – God rewards the faithful so BE FAITHFUL!! Don’t jump ship when the shore is in sight! And even if it is “foggy” and you can’t see the shore, remember every passing day is one day closer to the end of the “meantime”.
Be Thankful! Psalms 100:4 – “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” There is always something for which to be thankful. Discipline your flesh to give thanks and praise to the Lord in the middle of your situation. God is a good God and He loves you with an everlasting love. That, in itself, is enough to give thanks for and something to shout about! Be grateful to God for His goodness, strength and help during this season. Continue to express your gratitude that God is turning your situation around for the good. Thankfulness will keep your heart right and offset extreme discouragement and bitterness.
Be Patient! – Avoid griping and murmuring. Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Heb 6:15-16 –“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” James tells us that we will lack nothing when patience is developed and the effects of it manifests in our lives. James 1:4-5 –“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Would you like to lack nothing? Then grow in patience while you are waiting!!
Be Kind! – Ephesians 5:1 – “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us….” Your family and those around you will appreciate your kindness in the midst of your waiting. Bridle your tongue when tempted to say hurtful words. Another application of this is to be kind to yourself. Don’t be overly harsh or critical of yourself but let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you into all truth.
Be Ready! – In order to “be ready” you have to “get ready.” Getting ready includes praying, studying God’s word and being a doer of the Word. Let the meantime be a learning time. I Peter 3:5 – “…and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you…” Are you ready for what God has for you? You can be! Stay close, stay clean and keep sin out of your life so you are ready for whatever God calls you to do.
God bless you as you emerge victoriously from your “meantime”!
