Hello dear friends!!
God’s timing can be one of the largest hurdles we have to understand in our lives. During my health stuggles I have to admit this was one of the biggest mental battles I faced. To learn more about my illness: Click Here.
Saddleback Church Sermons
This past Christmas, Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, gave a sermon that immediately spoke to my heart about God’s timing in our lives. During my illness, I can remember praying for healing day, after day, after day, after day… It seemed as if the prayers were unanswered. It seemed as if God was just letting me stay in a state of horrific pain without relief.
The world was continuing to move on leaving me back in a place I didn’t not want to be. I can remember seeing people happily living their lives, wondering how could they do this… did they know the horrific pain I was in?! Impatiently, I wanted healing now from God. Furthermore, I did not want to endure another day of unanwered prayers and pain.
Realizing God’s timing in my life has been one of the HUGEST lessons I have had to learn. It is not easy… it is a daily battle of patience and surrendering my life to Him. Above all, it can be one of the most freeing and peaceful lessons you can learn.
The message I am sharing with you would have saved me many tears years ago! Many countless nights of anxiety and fear. But, it was piece of my life that God wanted to share with me. To grow my character and my daily trust in Him.
The link to the message is below. I honestly have listened to this message so many times the past few days. I am hoping you will watch it if you are in need of some hope today about God’s timing in your life.
“Trusting God’s Timing In your Life”
Saddleback Church: Pastor Rick Warren (Head Pastor) Dec: 22-24, 2018
You can print off the outline to the message: Here. I like to print a copy to review every morning to start my day off right. Also, I have Pastor Rick’s points below.
1.) GOD HAS A TIMETABLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS.
“There is an APPOINTED TIME for everything, and there is A RIGHT TIME for every activity under heaven” Eccles 3:1 (NAB)
Pastor Rick tells us that God uses the phrase “The right time” 96 times in the Bible. God has a right time for EVERYTHING!
This seems hard to understand when you are dealing with a chronic illness. How can an illness have “a right time”? The key to this lesson is learning what my character gained from my illness. I can honestly say that what I gained from the experience of the illness was priceless. I am NOT the same person that I was before I got sick. It changed my life forever.
2.) GOD DOES NOT TELL US THE DETAILS IN ADVANCE
“God has given us a desire to know the future. He always does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing” Eccles. 3:1 (NCV)
Pastor Rick tells us that God doesn’t show us the future because of 3 reasons:
- It would scare us and overwhelm us.
- We would manipulate it.
- God wants us to TRUST Him.
Jesus: “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business.” Acts 1:7 (Mes)
3.) GOD IS NEVER IN A HURRY AND HE’S NEVER LATE
2 Peter 3:8 (NIV) Never forget this: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thouand years are like a day.”
Pastor Rick expains… that God’s sense of time is very different than ours. He is timeless, He’s not bound by time. That Gods timing is perfect. Sometimes I am in a hurry and God is not. My timing is imperfect. God is not early or late…He is always right on time!
GOD: “The vision WILL happen at the time I have appointed. It moves steadily toward its goal and and it will not be proven false. If is seems slow or delayed, just wait for it! It will certainly happen. It will not be late!” Habakkuk 2:3
4.) GOD’S TIMING IS NOT ALWAYS CONVENIENT
Pastor Rich tell us… Everything God does is out of love! God is love! Everything happens at the right time… Not the easiest time with no pain involved.
5.) AT THE RIGHT TIME GOD CAN DO ANYTHING INSTANTLY
Pastor Rick states: God spoke the universe instantly. We try to accomplish things in our way, in our own time and our situation is not going anywhere….
God: “I am the Lord, so when the time comes, I will make it all happen quickly!” Isaiah 60:22
This was my case during my illness. I tried to control every part of my illness. Even deny I was sick, by doing things that made my illness worse. I tried to do things I felt were right without asking God first… and things only got worse!! I had to completely surrender to God… then things started to change.
THE MOST DIFFICULT PLACE TO BE IN LIFE IS GOD’S WAITING ROOM!!!! YOU ARE IN A HURRY AND GOD IS NOT!!
When Pastor Rick said this… I felt like he was talking to me! These words summed up all the years of my chronic illness in ONE sentence!! Why is this taking so long, why do I have to go through this, I am sick of being sick, I cannot do another day of this… Lord why is continuing on??!!??
Pastor Rick explains why there are delays:
- To test your faith
- Grow your character… Therefore, God is more interested in what you become than what you do.
God: “At the RIGHT TIME I will answer your prayers!” Isaiah 49:8 (NCV)
Pastor Rick teaches us that God answers EVERY prayer…. “no” is an answer and “not yet” is an answer! A delay is not a denial!! Because you have a delay it causes a lot of negative emotions. A delay creates stress, anger, worry, envy, and self pity.
The delay in my healing was one of the hardest times and lessons in my life. My delay was YEARS, not days, weeks or months.. YEARS. I had to learn to trust him completely. I did not know at that time if I was gong to be healed. The doctors told me I would not. Daily, I had to learn to hand over my illness and depend on Him. I could not endure the pain on my own resources. God wanted me to completely trust Him.
Pastor Rick teaches us that God wants us to do 4 things while we are in His waiting room:
- Fear Not
- Fret Not
- Forget Not
- Faint Not
1.) FEAR NOT! I trust God.
Pastor Rick tells us: Instead of fear dominating my life, I have faith dominating my life. I trust God in times that I DON’T understand. Trusting God casues your fear to go down!
There are 365 FEAR NOTS in the Bible…1 verse for everyday of the year!
Jesus: “Don’t be afraid, just trust me” Mark 5:36 (NLV)
2. FRET NOT! Be Patient and Humble.
I looked up the definition of Fret: To be constantly or visibly worried or anxious.
Every time you wait patiently on God, it is a sign of faith and humility Pastor Rick teaches.
“Wait and trust the Lord! DON’T FRET when others prosper or their dishonest plans succeed . And don’t get angry or upset – it only leads to trouble.” Psalm 37:7-8
I love that Pastor Rick teaches that we always have our eyes on others… Instead of God!! We are always compairing ourselves to others!! Worry is worthless!!! You are waisting that moment. Worry cannot control the past or the future, it messes up right now. Instead of worrying PRAY!!!
“DON’T FRET or worry. Instead of worrying, pray! Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your conerns.” Phil 4:6 (Mes)
During my illness prayer was my everything… my life line to God. It was how I got through everyday. I prayed every 5 minutes… on my knees. Before every doctors visit I prayed. I asked for God to give them knowledge and wisdom on how to get me better.
3. FORGOT NOT: Study God’s Promises to you!
The Bible is filled with the promises of God to you. There are 6,000 promises from God to you in the Bible. It’s our owners manuel of life.
“IF you keep looking closely into God’s perfect Word that sets people free, and you keep on studing it, and you DON’T FORGET it, and you put it into daily practice – you will be BLESSED by God in ALL you do!” James 1:25
During my illness I constantly read my Bible. When my vision was bad I would listen to sermons (sometimes 3 a day), I memorized scripture to pull out during those moments when I was so frightened to remember God’s promises to me. I kept verses on all the kitchen cabinets and the bathroom mirror.
4. FAINT NOT: DON’T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!
“We must never get tired of doing what is right and good, for AT THE RIGHT TIME we will reep a harvest of blessing IF we do’t give up or quit” Galatians 6:9
There were many times I wanted to give up during my health crisis!! The pain was too much to bear. I can remember moments holding my hand out and having the distinct feeling He was grabbing hold… wiping my tears, pouring peace into my heart! So dear friends…
DON’T GIVE UP… LOOK UP!!!!!
Remember that it is all in God’s timing!! He has a timetable for everything, He doesn’t tell us all the details, He is never in a hurry, and He is never late, and His timing is not always convient! Consequently, in the storms of life we can trust God, we be can be patient and humble, we can count on God’s promises and keep your eyes on Him!
Pastor Rick’s Prayer:
“Father, this issue of time and timing creates a lot of stress and anxiety in our lives. Especially when we forget how much you love us and when we forget that you know what is best for us even more than we know ourselves. It creates stress when we forget how you’ve taken care of us in the past. Father today, there are alot of people here who are waiting for something to happen that hasn’t happened yet… It’s an issue of timing. I pray that today each of us will come back to you. And will receive your grace and begin to you trust you for the timing in every area of our lives. I want these people here to be blessed and not stressed in the New Year.”
“God I admit…
I often get stressed by the timing of things in my life. I don’t like to be rushed and I don’t like delays. Somethimes things move to fast and sometimes things move to slowly. But, I need your help to stop fearing and freting and forgeting and feeling like giving up. Forgive me for when I impatiently rushed in and made a bad decision in a hurry. Or I have tried to control the situation out of fear. And trying to control other people out of insecurity. I want to learn to relax and trust your perfect timing.”
“Help me…
to remember your never late and your always on time. You can do more in the right time than I can ever do with all my own efforts put together. Jesus, thank you for coming to save me at the right time. I want to come back home to God and I want to receive your saving grace.”
“Please, please save me…
Save me from myself! From habits I cannot break, from the things about myself I don’t like. Save me from my sins and my mistakes. Save me from my saddness and save me from my stress. Thank you God that you want to save me. I want to learn to trust you and depend on you every moment of my life. I am asking you to help me everyday to live in your love and in your peace for the rest of my life. I ask this humbly in your name. Amen.”
I love you all!!!!!
I hope this message helps you in the storms of life waiting on God’s timing!
Heather Lane says
Thank you so so much for sharing this! I have a painful condition that goes in and out of remission. I had constant pain for a solid year once and they my last flare lasted 6 months. I know about chronic pain and it can be so scary and depressing. I don’t know how people get through without the Lord! I’m so so thankful He healed you and you can help and encourage others with what you went through.
Mary Ann says
My dear Heather,
Oh NO!!!!!! I had NO idea!!!!! I am so so so so very sorry dear friend. I will add you to my daily prayers!! You are one of the most beautiful souls I know. I feel so blessed that He brought us together!! I don’t know what we would do without His love and strenght!!
Sending you all my love and constant prayers,
Mary Ann
Jackie says
Dear Mary Ann,
Thank you so sincerely for sharing this post. I have a test running down my cheek as I read every word. This is one of the most heartfelt posts I have read on social media in all the years. I look forward to a friendship with you and thank you for sharing your deepest thoughts and scripture. Hug to you! Jackie
Mary Ann says
Dear Jackie,
I honestly don’t know what to say… but thank you from the bottom of my heart! ❤️ I truly feel this is where God wants me to be. I know He wants to use my pain and stuggles to help others and to show His love and glory. I am so thankful He brought us together! I look forward to a friendship with you too!! Thank you again for such loving words!!
Sending you all my love and hugs,
Mary Ann
Jackie says
I’m at work about to go get lunch, and I saw your post in my email. I thought to myself, I want to reread Mary Ann’s post and check to see if you replied. (Last night I was on Instagram when I read your post.) I have such a heavy heart as my husband of 35 years is going to the doc today for prostate tests to see if he has cancer. He is so extremely private and asked that I don’t share this with anyone at this time. The “timing” of your post was just perfect, and I wanted to tell you. Thank you for replying to my post – you are real and so special to me in a short time. I discovered you on Instagram because I absolutely loved all your pics, especially the one of your front porch with the double doors decorated for Christmas. I look forward to following you! Please keep Bob and I in your prayers! Thank you and have a great day. 🙂 Jackie
Mary Ann says
Hello sweet Jackie,
I am so very sorry to read this news. I am praying for Bob… and you too! I am so glad that this post was able to help you. God is so amazing at bringing exactly what we need at the right time.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that you wrap your arms around sweet Terri and Bob and provide them with peace. We are thanking you for the good news that is on it’s way. We thank you for the knowledge and wisdom you are providing Bob’s doctors. Thank you for your loving care of Bob.
We pray this in sweet Jesus name, Amen.
Please keep me updated dear friend. I will be praying.Sending you all my love,
Mary Ann
Terri warner says
Hi Mary Ann,
I commented to you when you told us why you had been absent from your social media for so long. I said the quotes from the Bible that you gave were such perfect timing for me and I felt that God was speaking to me through you. Well, you’ve done it again through this post and your quotes from the Bible are once again perfectly and exactly what I needed to hear. My daughter, Megan, was just diagnosed with two auto immune diseases and is also having a cyst removed and biopsied from her ovary on Tuesday. I’m so scared about it and don’t know what the future will be, if they need to take her ovary, if everything will be ok. Your words and God’s have come at the best time for us. I wrote down all of His words that you gave me in the other post as I will also write down all of his words you have written in this post. I have also been reading SaddleBack newsletters. It all seems to fit so perfectly that you would mention it in your post also. I will listen to the sermon you spoke about. Thank you for everything and please keep my daughter in your prayers.
Terri
Mary Ann says
Hello sweet Terri,
My dear friend, I don’t even know what to say… I am so very sorry!!! I have been praying for sweet Megan and for you! I have asked my Women’s Bible study to pray too!
Keep reading and listening to His word filled with His promises. It will bring you so much peace! Surrender this over to Him. He will provide!!
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that you please wrap you arms around sweet Megan and Terri. I am thanking you in advance for the peace, strenght and courage you are providing them both. I thank you for your protection over Megan. Thank you for the knowledge and wisdom you are providing her doctors. Thank you for your loving care of sweet Megan. I pray this in sweet Jesus name.
Please keep me updated. I will be praying. Sending you all my love dear friend,
Mary Ann
Terri says
Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. Also I am forever grateful for your Bible study group’s prayers. Please let them know. It means the world to us. I’m already more calm rereading your words, prayers, and learning of God’s love for my family.
You are truly an amazing person.
Love,
Terri
Terri says
Dear Mary Ann
I just want to let you and the beautiful ladies in your Bible study that our prayers have been answered for my daughter, Megan. Her surgery went very well and the wonderful surgeon that was touched with God’s love and compassion worked beautifully to remove her cyst. It wasn’t cancerous, but she does have endometriosis with other anatomy issues that could make her unable to have children in the future. I’m just grateful that she is ok and will continue to heal. We will cross that bridge in the future with God’s will and our patience that you have so kindly shown me how to achieve. Thank you for showing me how to pray and appreciate God in a way I never did before. You are such an amazing person I can’t begin to thank you for all you’ve done for us. If you’re ever in Arizona or if our paths cross, I would be honored to meet you.
Love, Terri
Mary Ann says
Dear Terri,
Praise God!!!! He has heard and answered our prayers!!!! YaHooo!!!! I will let all the girls know this AMAZING news!! Keep those daily prayers coming… thanking God in advance for the healing of Megan’s endometriosis…
Mark 11:24 (NIV)
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
I feel so blessed to be able to strengthen your relationship with Him. It truly is an honor. One of the girls in my womens Bible study was my original mentor, she helped me see my relationship with God in a new way that I never knew existed over 15 years ago. So, it makes my heart so happy and full to do the same for others.
Yes!! If I am ever out that way.. I would LOVE to meet you too!!
Sending you all my love dear friend,
Mary Ann