While You’re Waiting
"The perfect timing is God’s timing."
- Jose Flores
Jose was born with a neurological disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neurological disorder that causes weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles in the arms and legs of infants and children. It is a rare disease that affects 1 in every 10,000 people and there is no cure.
Jose was born with a neurological disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He cried out to God on numerous occasions and asked God “Why.” Why is this happening to me and Why are you doing this to me?
Throughout his life, Jose learned that when we want something and cannot get it, we often complain and demand. “Wait” is a word we do not want to hear! The Bible tells us that God wants us to wait on Him for the right timing. Some key questions we might ask are:
- What does it mean to wait?
- How are we to wait?
- Why should we wait?
- How long do we wait?
The ability to wait on the Lord stems from being confident on who God is and in what he is doing. It means knowing and trusting in God’s promise, purpose, and power. Some days, it is a lot harder to be patient. It is essential to ask the Holy Spirit to fill us and direct our steps as we continue to wait. All of creation knows what it is like to wait on the Lord. There are prophets like Job and David who waited patiently on God.
If you or a loved one is dealing with a serious illness, here are some points to consider:
- God is the great physician and the source of all healing. Whether it be physical, mental, or emotional, God may use one or more delivery systems for a cure. God can heal you through medicine, therapy, healthy living, and prayer. A significant portion of Christ’s time was dedicated to healing the sick. He healed all kinds of people: the blind, the paralyzed, the lame, the deaf, lepers, those who had fevers, and many with chronic illness. We find no record in the gospels of Jesus turning away anyone who came to him for healing, nor do we see that any disease was too difficult for him to heal. He even raised the dead. Miraculous healings still occur today.
- There are going to be times in your life when you’ll need God to heal you or a loved one. Make an appointment to spend time with God and learn to trust His will for your life. He will be a stronghold for those who call on His name.
While you’re waiting:
- Pray
- Remind yourself that you are not alone
- Let waiting strengthen your faith
- Count your blessings
- Share Your Story: Jose Flores now performs a Special Assignment as a motivational speaker. He uses his unique story of growing up with a physical disability to inspire and motivate everyone to know that they are necessary and can be Indispensable Now!
Words to Live By:
“I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” Lamentations 3:24-26 (NIV).
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day” Psalm 25:5 (KJV).
“Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord” Psalm 27:14 (Revised Edition, NABRE).
Dr. Ron’s Perspective:
Serious illness takes a physical and psychological toll on the individual and their family. Making the rounds to doctor appointments and medical tests along with side effects of medications can leave everyone weary and burned out. Additionally, waiting for the results from various tests can often trigger fear and panic. People dream about the days when they felt better and wonder if they will ever feel healthy again. Whenever we experience a loss of control in our lives, it can prompt us to feel vulnerable and fragile. Doubt and fear can shake our spiritual foundations even for those individuals who have had strong faith in the past. So what purpose could a serious illness serve in someone’s life? Even considering that question requires a shift in our thinking. Instead of losing hope and doubting your purpose, we can look in a new direction with fresh meaning. This is the time to deliberately reach out to others who may be afraid and alone. By helping someone else, we help ourselves. This restores meaning and purpose to life even in the face of a severe health condition.
Grace Notes by Philip Yancey
“For those who suffer, and those who stand beside them, Job offers up an important lesson. Doubts and complaints are valid responses, not symptoms of weak faith- so valid, in fact, that God made sure the Bible included them all” (100).
Recommended Resources:
National Organization for Rare Diseases- Fight SMA
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation
Muscular Dystrophy Association
DON’T LET YOUR STRUGGLE BECOME YOUR STANDARD- Jose Flores
