God's Holding Pattern

By Pastor Cornelius F. Warren

Many times God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in

our life to "swallow us up." This season in our spiritual growth is a holding

pattern. We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit, like

Jonah sat in the belly of that great fish, so God can have our undivided

attention and speak to us.

God put Jonah in a holding pattern because He needed to speak to his heart.

Jonah was alone. There were no friends to call; no colleagues to drop by, no

books to read; no food to eat, no interference, and no interruptions. He had

plenty of time to sit, meditate, and pray.

When we're deep down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to

us. When He has our undivided attention, He can show us things about

ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen.

A Few of God's Holding Patterns:

1.When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed but God has not

healed you yet, you are in a holding pattern.

2. When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on

the altar but God has not delivered them yet, you are in a holding pattern.

3. When you have been praying for the salvation of a loved one and they have

not been saved yet, you are in a holding pattern.

4. When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God

but it has not been restored yet, you are in a holding pattern.

5. When the doors slam shut before you can knock on them, you are in a

holding pattern.

When we are deep in the belly of a difficult situation, there are no

interruptions. Hence, God has our undivided attention. All we can do is sit,

meditate, and pray.

We cannot run from God, because there are no mountains that are high enough,

valleys that are low enough, rivers that are wide enough, rooms that are dark

enough, or secret places that are hidden enough from Him.

We must remember to praise Him while we're waiting and remember three things:

1. The pattern has a purpose.

2. The pattern has a plan.

3. The pattern has a process.

So stop struggling and start listening, praying, and trusting. He'll keep you

right where you are until you can hear Him clearly say, "I love you."

Prayer:

Father, heal my unbelief. I know you love me and will turn everything around

to benefit me. You have planned nothing for me but victories, and I am ready

to receive them regardless of how difficult the path. Amen

Today's Thought:

When God measures a man, He puts the tape around the heart instead of the

head.