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Happy Friday, friends! {Don’t you simply LOVE the sound of that!?}
Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to my friend WENDY POPE and to give you a chance to win a free copy of her wonderful book, WAIT AND SEE: Finding Peace in God’s Pauses and Plans.
Sometimes faith is a battle filled with questions, doubts, and complicated life matters. What if you had the courage to face every challenge head on? What if you were able to trust that God can bring good out of anything? As a wife, mother, friend, and ministry leader, Wendy knows the battles that women face. WAIT AND SEE will help strengthen your faith in God. Today’s post is an excerpt…
WAITING MISCONCEPTIONS
When times get hard and the wait seems too long, we begin to doubt God as well as the unlimited and mind-blowing future He has planned for us. We begin to question God: Did I hear You correctly? Do You see what I am going through? Why does this have to be so hard? We blame God because our circumstances seem more difficult than before we invited Him into our wait. It is during these times that we have to fight to maintain our focus on the Person of our faith rather than the object of wait or distracting circumstances that surround us. One way to do this is through prayer.
The Lord longs for us to reach out to Him and ask for help, clarity, and direction. See what James 1:5–8 says: “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who ‘worry their prayers’ are like wind whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open” (THE MESSAGE). In this verse, James clearly tells us we are to ask our Father for what we need. James says God loves to help. I certainly like the sound of that—how about you?
In Wait and See, I identify common misconceptions “waiters” encounter. Recognizing these misconceptions will empower us to wait well, stay present in the present, and experience God in our delay.
MISCONCEPTION #1:
If I am waiting, I must not have heard God correctly.
Meet Ashley: Ashley learned that waiting doesn’t necessarily mean you heard God incorrectly. Ashley says, “We give up too easily because we don’t see what we want to see when we want to see it.”
MISCONCEPTION #2:
If I am waiting, I must desire something not in God’s will for my life.
Meet Samantha: Samantha desired to be married. She knew God ordained and approved marriage, but did He want her to be married? There are plenty of verses in the Bible about marriage, relationships, and how to be a loving spouse. Yet Samantha also knew the verses in which Paul clearly states that some people are called to remain single.
MISCONCEPTION #3:
If I am waiting, I must not be praying enough.
Meet Dianna: Day after day, Dianna prayed and sought the Lord. Many days, she ate only one meal so her family could have all the food they needed. She watched her husband take odd jobs here and there just to make ends meet. She knew in her heart God would supply their needs, but she had to keep telling her head.
MISCONCEPTION #4:
If I am waiting, I must not have enough faith.
Meet Scott and Wendy: This was the lie I believed as we agonized over my husband’s declining health. What was I doing wrong? Was God holding my past against me? Had I not done enough to earn His favor? Sometimes waiting has less to do with the strength of your faith and more to do the perfection of God’s timing.
MISCONCEPTION #5:
If I am waiting, I must not be working hard enough.
Meet David: David did not ask to be king. David did not dream of being king. He wasn’t born into a royal family line from which he would naturally be appointed king. God chose David to be king. It is possible you and I could find ourselves waiting for something we never desired but God desires for us. He knows better than we do what we need to fulfill what He’s called us to do.
We need to prepare in the pauses so we’re ready to embrace God’s plans.
Congratulations to our giveaway winner: Patricia Swayne!
Wendy would like to send a copy of her newest book, WAIT and SEE: Finding Peace in God’s Pauses and Plans to one of my awesome readers!
To qualify for the drawing, you need to do TWO things:
#1. LEAVE A COMMENT to win by CLICKING HERE.
#2. SHARE THIS POST on social media.
That’s it! Once you do both, your name will be entered into the random drawing. Be sure to tell your friends so they can sign up too. The drawing will take place on Sunday, February 26th, so don’t delay! {Contest is limited to US and Canada readers only.}
THE BOOK
In Wait and See, Wendy shares biblical wisdom on how to prepare for the future even as you participate in God’s work in the present. Drawing on the story of David, Wendy helps you exchange weariness and discouragement for hope and action. Instead of getting distracted with the object of your wait, you can grow closer to the Person of your faith—transforming your wait-and-see season into one of the sweetest seasons of all.
When waiting on God stretches for months or years, we begin to doubt God’s promises. Did I hear You correctly, God? Do You see what I’m going through? Why does this have to be so hard?
In Wait and See, Wendy draws on the life of King David to help us…
Focus on the Person of our faith rather than the object of our wait
Use biblical truths to defeat depression, doubt, and discouragement
Release the hold the past has on us
Prepare for the future by participating in God’s work in the present
See the benefit of inviting others into the wait
View God’s pauses as opportunities to know Him better
Gain confidence in God’s plans, even during uncertain times
CLICK to watch the “Wait and See” video with Wendy.
MEET WENDY POPE
Wendy Pope is the wife of Scott, mother of Blaire and Griffin, author, speaker, and Bible study teacher. She loves lazy Sundays watching golf with her husband, thrift-store shopping with her daughter, and watching building shows with her son.
Wendy is the author of Wait and See. She is a contributing author to the Real-Life Women’s Devotional Bible, Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Daily Living, The Reason We Speak, and God’s Purpose for Every Woman. Wendy writes devotions for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ “Encouragement for Today” and is a content provider for the free online devotion app First 5 as well as a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker team.
She leads women all over the world to life change through her in-depth online Bible studies. She has led thousands of women through her Read through the Word study of the One Chronological Bible. Down-to-earth and transparent, Wendy teaches in a way that women feel she is speaking directly to their hearts.
Comments 106
i love book giveaways… i have been trying to read more of the bible, bible studies and every book i can get ahold of, i would love to have this book…. i’m a new learner and would love to win this book to be able to win, it is hard to purchase books, and which books do i want to purchase. the introduction you give has me excited. thank you in advance, peggy
It sounds like a really great book to read! Thank you again for the opportunity for this giveaway.
I have felt all of these misconceptions. Love the book give away. I am not able to share it on social media as I am using a work computer on break time.
I would so love to win your book!!
Sounds like a good read.
I would LOVE to win this book!!
The Lord’s will be done.
Waiting is so hard for me. Right now I’m waiting for a few things, my son to turn back to God, my daughter and I to be reconciled, my surgery for my knees to be approved and scheduled.
I love the teaching of Wendy in the First5 app and would so enjoy reading her book.
This book sounds amazing. I am definitely in a waiting place right now. It is so hard to believe I know God’s will for my life, but then feel like doors are slamming shut. It’s difficult to have faith in the midst of waiting. This book would be so encouraging and personal.
This is a book I would love to read and love to win!
Thank you for the opportunity to try.
Waiting is not easy. Thank you for the encouraging reminder of the different ways we look at waiting. God is still in control and His timing is perfect. I would love to win the book “Wait And See”.
I need this book in my life right now…my faith has been shaken! Wait and see is such a hard concept to grasp!! Thank you for a chance to win…
While you are waiting – don’t forget to live in the moment! Would love to win a copy of this book!!
Waiting is harder for me than a no
December 1, 2016, I was run over by an SUV. Spent 20 days in the hospital. By the grace of God I am here today!! This book would greatly help me in this time of healing!
Would love to win this book!
Just finished reading the 7 day devotion on YouVersion Bible app for Wait and See. Excited to read the book.
I would love to have this book to read!
Thank you for your inspiring blog. I would love to read the book about waiting on God’s timing. Thanks for the opportunity.
I have been in the “waiting room” for some time now. Love what you said about preparing in the pauses. This is my next read!
I would love to win. Sounds awesome!
I would love to win. Sounds great ?
I would love to read this book and win it!! Please pick me ?
Taste and see that The Lord is Good; fill me O Lord with your oil of joy, like a river flow through me, like a fire burn so free as I praise like You I will be.
I’ve known for years that all the fruit of The Holy Spirit is nourishing including patience so this book would be a blessing to obtain in order to gain more Jesus and less me.
thanks for the opportunity!
This looks and sounds like a fantastic book I need to read!
With the many challenges I have faced in my life over the years I too have done my share of questioning. In 2011 I had a nervous breakdown. Then in 2012 my husband lost his job. He then went to a new trucking company and a young man rode his bike into his truck and died several hours later. The family has a law against him, which is still going on. He has never been the same. Two years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a bilateral mastectomy. To find out it had started to travel. So it was a 2 year battle with chemotherapy and radiation. This is where I began to fall apart. Start questioning my God. Just recently I had CPS come into my house because she is bi- polar and her and her son live here. I have repeatedly had to call the police. Facing so many challenges have been a huge struggle and as much as I have questioned God, I have always felt his presence. I have had wonderful Christian friends help me through all this and have guided me through it all. Without God I would not have made it. He has gotten me through my darkness hours. This book would be very beneficial to many. God will see that it makes it to the right person!
I love the teaching spirit of Wendy Pope, I start my mornings with the First5 app and read Proverbs 31 daily, we all need clarity and direction when life throws us a curve ball. May you all continue to be blessed by God’s anointing spirit! Hope I win the book!
God does send answers in different ways. I will wait and see not matter how long. Very great highlights.
I love to.have this book.
How it exciting I’m new in the walk with the God and reading everything I get my hands on. Good luck with your new Book excited to read
This book sounds like exactly what i need at the moment..i feel stuck in waiting!! id love to win a copy 🙂
Sounds like a great book! Love the title!
I love book giveways.
This book is just for me!
Waiting on God is what we don’t like to do, nobody likes waiting on anything, but i’v learned to trust God and his timing, for by taking what he says in his word, I learn to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, what he says it what we get
So I learn to be still…..and know that he is God. By waiting on His perfect timing. He’said never late, always on time. In my waking room, I’v learn to trust my Heavenly Father, he knows what best for me.
Love the title “WAIT & SEE”.
Reminds me of my favorite verse in Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
This sounds like a book I need to read! Thank you Gwen! Amy
I become HAPPY every time I see your emails. I sit, meditate, read and soak it all in. Then I read them over and over, deciding which friends need a lift and forward them. They ALWAYS thank me. Like you, I know that our live are all because God and I just want all the world to know!
Your writing is prolific. One can almost imagine themselves in each situation you present, which of course is from the Holy Spirit, because you are have been “ANNOINTED” with this gift.
I would love to read this book by your friend.
May God continue to bless you during your journey…..now and into forever!
Can’t wait to read this!!
Love your devotions :All I want”is simply beautifully thought about. Love it.
This is just perfect for what I am going through. God is faithful and has always provided shelter, food, and clothing. This is just another opportunity to trust Him and praise Him and thank Him in the midst. Though I don’t know where He will place me next (this will be move 11 since the end of July 2012), it will be perfect in His plan for me and for whoever He puts in my path. Looking for His wonderful and amazing intervention once more. Please pray that I will joyfully keep my eyes on Him and love Him with my whole being in daily surrender to His Will.
What a great post & giveaway! Thank you for the encouraging words & a chance for your book! God bless you!
Would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you for the chance to win it.
I have been reading these devotionals for 5-6 years now and these devotionals have gotten me through some terrible times. It helped me to realize that Jesus was there all along by my side getting me through. I will admit I wondered why I had to go through what I went through, but I always knew he was there. I sometimes would say, “I know Jesus wouldn’t have me go through what I thought could happen.” But he did! I am still not sure why and was surprised that I had to go through what I did, but I am a stronger woman for it. I would have never thought that my life would have brought me to these trials. I was a “goody too shoes” growing up. God has improved my marriage and our family. We have learned to trust in HIM. These devotionals were the way to get me to start my day each day. Always looking for what God would want me to see each morning!
I don’t do social media Gwen. I’m 63 and find myself not so good with computers. However I love a positive verse and Christian friends sweet message of God’s love, peace and how much he cares for me I’d love a good read but assume I’m out of the running for giveaways seeing that social media and I don’t go together.
This really hits home for me. I have been feeling as if God is punishing me by making me wait & wait. But I know it isn’t true – in my heart – I know. But somehow I still ask, “Why Lord?” The devil whispers in my ear, “You’re not good enough.” I’m not good enough. A feeling I know well. I have never felt good enough. Not a good enough person. Not a good enough worker. Not a good enough wife. Not a good enough mother. Not a good enough Christian. NOT GOOD ENOUGH! I pray the Lord will help me see that I am good enough because He made me & He doesn’t make mistakes.
Thank you!
God bless!
Thank you for the offer to receive the wait and see book. I would lovet to win. And read it. You are such an inspiration to all.
Thanks for your generosity and giving us this opportunity to win.shared on fb.
This what I need at this season in my life. It looks like an awesome book.
I’ve been in a season of waiting and reading thru all the misconceptions posts I have to agree I have felt ea h one of them. I’m intrigued and now I want to read the book Excited for it. Because I have learned that in waiting forGod He purifies is and gets us ready for what we will receive. That is in His time.
I stopped praying for patience because of the the Lord sent to me to be patient for. I have a very hard time waiting wether it is in line, waiting for Christmas, at a red light and so forth. Sometimes I think that the Lord punishes me for my impatience. I love Him and am trying hard to wait and listen. I am not very successful even though I am 61 years old. I don’t feel that old on the inside. I could really use the knowledge of this book.
Waiting is one of the hardest things for me to do!! Only God’s Word makes it possible. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2Corinthians 5:7. It helps me to remember, focus on, the fact that faith is our response to God’s faithfulness and He is calling on us to trust Him in the waiting. Thank You for counting us worthy, Lord!
I need his book & it would love to read it since I’ve been waiting almost 10 years.
I so needed to read these excerpts from the book, they point to me, I would be blessed to read the entire book! Amen!
This book looks amazing.
This book looks great , very interested to read it and I love the cover beautiful
An answer to prayer! Thank you for this opportunity.
Sometimes waiting is so hard. It is even harder when we are not sure why we are still waiting.
After reading what this book was all about I knew the context was speaking to me in this hour. I can’t wait to read and then share with my bookclub.
These were the exact words I needed today. So much going on in my life right now. I am in the midst of an unexpected job search, my husband & I are just few months away from becoming empty-nesters and wondering if we should sell our home and downsize, my parents are considering moving into a retirement facility AND we are trying to make sure we have the ability to help our youngest with upcoming college costs and our oldest finish her bachelors and have to move out of my parents home where she is currently living (since they are looking to move). Spending a lot of time in prayer and waiting for answers. I think your book would be very comforting and encouraging for me.
The wait is so hard. I’m going through more than one “wait and see” right now. Would love to read how others deal with their “wait and sees” in their lives.
I love this. It is exactly what I need in my life, to read this, accept what God wants for me, and my husband.
Looking forward to reading this eternal question of “waiting on the Lord”! The misconceptions were spot on!!! Can’t wait to read more.
What a wonderful giveaway!! Sounds great!!
I enjoyed reading your blog about waiting misconceptions, her book sounds great! a book I would really enjoy reading.
I feel like I have been waiting and waiting on a word from God, but feel in the obstacle and I don’t know how to listen, or is it that I am just to caught up in my own world to listen. Sounds like a great book for me.
This sounds like a great book to share with my Adult Sunday School class.
This sounds like a fantastic read for me and my daughter!
I have never read any of her books, really just never had the chance too. Would love to have a copy to add her to my newest author and begin following her. Thanks for the GIVEAWAY!
I believe this book would help me in my walk. Thank you for the chance to win it.
I have a friend whose daughter is waiting to have conceive. She is a precious young lady who is struggling but trusting the Lord. If I win the book I will give it to her so she can find more comfort in the wait.
This sounds like an awesome book. I felt a connection
With the misconceptions and the answers Wendy added in each one. I need to grow closer to my Heavenly Father God who has been there for me and Blessed my Days which I Thank Him and Give Him all the Glory.
This is just what I need right now.
So what I needed to hear right now. Sometimes we get confused and depressed with the waiting game.
Wow! This book is one I need right now. I am in the pause…and waiting!
Patience is not one of my strengths. This sounds like help for me.
Pauses are okay. I would love to read Wait and See! By Wendy Pope
I need to learn to be patient and wait upon the Lord to guide me. Would love to have the book to give me understanding of patience.
Thank you for giving us a chance of winning the new book. Love it!
I am waiting….trying to be patient. I am 58 and lost one job due to back issues, took 9 months to get another. I work with special education students assisting teachers with their specialized learning programs. Now 3 years later I am back where I was tho this school allowed me leave to try to repair surgically whats wrong. I doubt surgery will allow my return as they want to fuse 5 vertebra. I am praying for answers. I have no income…not since November so I either have to find work I can do…but few hire a 58 year disabled physically person….or try for disability. I feel lazy and worthless not working tho I am taking care of my home and helping others…I have no income and am reliant on my spouse as I’ve never been….I don’t know how God is using me if I’m not helping my special students…..I lost myself and am having a hard time finding ME in this new season. I pray for God to use me in a new way so I can be worthy of his calling. Blessings.
Waiting is hard sometimes. I’m currently praying for a friend who is waiting for a baby and watching her wait is hard too. So if I win this book we are going to read it together.
I’d love to win this book. I’m 70 but I know the lord has plans for me. God bless.
at this point in my life I am also in the “waiting ” period…my husband of 34 years left me and married another woman and I have to see what the Lord has planned for my ” new ” future. I will buy the book regardless but to win it would truly be a blessing ..i wish you a gorgeous day you’all !!!
Sometimes I’m patient, yet at other times I just simply lose it and think “Lord, exactly how long do I have to wait?”. Patience is definitely a virtue that we are taught to wait for to understand.
Wait upon the Lord…..
book giveaway–Wait and See
I have been retired from teaching for 7 years, and I find myself waiting to see what God’s plans are for me in this stage of my life. Looking forward to reading the book.
Just what I need to be learning right now!
As I sit now in GODS waiting room I know that HE is in control and thank him for the strength to endure. Looking forward to reading this. Thanks. In Christ’s love Miss Rusty
I need to learn how to wait on God.
Life is so good!
I need to learn to wait. I’m always in a hurry!
It is indeed in the waiting of a stop or pause God changes me. His ways are never mine! Alleluia.
This book would be for sharing with others the wealth of waiting.
Thank you
This is definitely something I need to read!!!
So excited to read the new book offering.
Thank you Wendy Pope for writing this eye opening right spiritual thinking book. Thank you Gwen Smith for an opportunity to win this book!
I would love to read this book. Also Thank You for the First 5 App.
My nephew and his wife have been experiencing the challenges of my great nephew’s serious health issues…this is a perfect book for them to read right now in the waiting…I would also love to read Wendy’s book. Saying Patience is a virtue and believing that in patience and waiting… God will answer our prayers are very different. I choose to believe…
Thank you Gwen for the opportunity to share this belief with others through “Wait and See”. God bless!
I feel like this is exactly how I have been feeling. I feel I have done something wrong, or haven’t prayed enough for God to answer my prayers
I am going through a very bad situation at this time. My Husband, of over 26 yrs, has moved out and left me with a farm to take care of and at times it seems so overwhelming. He has told me he hasn’t been happy for a long time. He would seek counseling with me, did not want to be involved in anything, even quit going to church. He has moved in with someone else and tells me he is happy now. When I questioned his Christian belief in this I was told not my business. I have been seeking God’s will in what I should do and praying daily. I know a lot of people would already have gotten a divorce or been in the process. I am going very slow on this and praying that the answers I seek are the correct ones and truly from God, because I feel Satan is at work in my very household.
We must learn to wait on God’s timing
He says be still and know I am God
We must learn we can not do it on our own and try to fix without him
This book content sounds exactly what so many of my sister’s in Christ struggle with so often. It also sounds like the perfect reminder for myself when those waters become so muddled, or those storms become so fierce that my sight loses focus and I begin to try to navigate on my human stubbornness and pride instead of the light of my Father that never leads me astray. Thank you and many blessings!
I have been waiting and sometimes it seems a lot time but really in GOD’S view it is not that long. So I must still wait on the LORD for answers at times but I trust GOD so it is a many of time
Waiting! A topic that I’ve been coming across a lot lately. I think God’s speaking to me. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Wendy’s new book.
This book seems like a perfect read for me right now. The valleys in my life are weighing heavy upon me and I need to look up and trust the Lord’s plan for my life more now than ever. Thank you and God bless all you ladies for your encouragements. Karen
Thank you. Love book giveaways.
Love great new book giveaways. Thank you for the chance at winning a copy of this new book.
Wow! A book that speaks right where I’m at in life. Love it
Yay!! Book giveaway… Love it!