In continuation from my notes...

Many of us young madiens find it very difficult to wait,

especially when we don't know how long we'll have to wait.

But what we may not realize is that this is a precious time,

taking us to deeper levels of trust, strengthens our faith,

reminds us to abide in Jesus, and teaches us to delight in the Lord.

The Lord has plans for each of us, but no matter who you are,

God's plan for you includes waiting.

There are several consequences that happen when we fail

to patiently wait for God to bring about His plans.

1. We miss God's lessons.

God intends to teach us many things through waiting.

We miss these special lessons in perseverance, trust, and faith

if we're not willing to wait.

2. We miss God's best.

God desires to give us His very best.

And many people have no idea what they've missed

because they weren't willing to wait and find out what the Lord had in store.

3. We miss God's help.

There are dangers that happen when we take matters into our own hands.

God wants us to learn to be dependent on Him.

4. We miss God's opportunities.

We miss the opportunities to show the world the power of God.

When we, by faith, follow God's ways, others are able to see His love

as they watch God work in the little details of our lives.

Many times we are tempted to think our Heavenly Father is late,

and since He's taking so long, we'd better take matters into our own hands.

But as we look back, we'll always see that God is exactly on time.

If it's God's will for us to be married, then He will not leave us single 

for even one day longer than He knows is best, right, & perfect.

But while we're waiting, it can be so hard to understand.

That's why it requires faith.

Young maidens commonly struggle with many fears, especially of marriage.

• What if I never get married?
• How will I know God's will?
• What if everyone thinks I'm weird because I don't have a boyfriend?
• How will I know when I meet the right person?
• What if I don't like the person God picks for me?

Fears like this often causes people to make wrong desisions.

But we shouldn't be governed by fear, but by faith.

Instead of feeding our fears, we could...

• Refuse to listen to Satan's lies.
• Fear the Lord. All other fears with diminish when you stay focused on God.
• Pay attention to the needs of the people God put in your life.
• Meditate on specific verses that remind you to rest in the Lord.

Waiting doesn't mean just sitting around

wondering when something's going to happen.   

Rather it means serving the Lord faithfully right now wherever He has put you.

Waiting includes the idea of service, not that we should do nothing,

but that we should be focused on Him and His work -

Serving God with all our hearts, resting in Him, and trusting

He'll take care of of everything else.

While waiting can be hard, it's necessary.

Ask the Lord for help.

He will always give us the strength to do what He has called us to do.

 For the LORD God is a sun and shield:

the LORD will give grace and glory:

no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Psalm 84:11-12