Right now, you may be in God’s appointed time of waiting, resting, fast-paced growth, or being launched into a new assignment.

Perhaps you are experiencing some challenges.

No matter what is happening, you can know without a shadow of a doubt that you are in the hands of a loving Father.

Hear Him say over you, ‘See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.’ (Isaiah 49:16)

6 Ways to Make the Most of God’s Timing for Your Life

1. Know Your Father Goes Ahead of You

‘You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past.’ (Psalm 139:4b-5a, TPT)

You may find yourself in a time of boredom, or difficulty, or even in a chaotic season where everything is happening at a fast pace!

Regardless of what challenges or changes you are facing, you can rest secure in God’s timing.

The One Who loves you has gone before you, and He will never leave you. He has already provided for you ahead of time.

Right now, receive the fresh anointing God has for you. Even if you are in a trial, you can anticipate the overflow of His Spirit and Presence.

‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.’ (Psalm 23:5, NIV)

2. Identify and Embrace Your ‘Now’ Season

‘He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest.’ (John 15:2, TPT)

Jesus spoke to His disciples about seasons of pruning for greater fruitfulness. During a pruning season, the fruit of our life or ministry is scarce and branches (opportunities) are fewer in number.

• This means, God has appointed times it feels like not much is happening.

The seasons of God can also include different assignments and each is significant in its own way. For example, before the Apostle Paul began his missionary journeys, he spent time in Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and had a season of teaching at Antioch (Acts 13:1).

Never feel as though your current assignment or season is less important than your ultimate calling.

Where you are right now in God’s timing matters!
Your relationships, family, location, work, ministry—all are valuable to your Heavenly Father.

3. Realize God’s Timing Allows for Periods of (Fruitful) Trial

‘His feet were bruised by strong shackles and his soul was held by iron. God’s promise to Joseph purged his character until it was time for his dreams to come true.’ (Psalm 105:18-19, TPT)

Just as God did with Joseph, He is still at work in your life during a trial. He is strengthening your faith, building your endurance, and wooing you into an intimate relationship with Him.

Joseph had to wait for an influencer to remember him (Gen 40:23). And just as Joseph did, one of the tests you will face is this:

God’s timing for your life will involve other people.

Be assured that your Father is not only preparing you, He is also at work behind the scenes, positioning people and making the way ready.

In this, you can trust the sovereignty of God’s timing and His faithfulness. The God who used people to open prison doors for Joseph to rise and rule a nation, is your God.

At the right time, the Holy Spirit will move on the hearts and minds of others, to bring them into agreement with God’s season for your life.

4. Understand Your Sense of Timing may be Different to God’s

Moses thought it was God’s timing to deliver Israel when he was in his prime physically. And yet God waited until he was 80 years old, lacked confidence and must have felt every opportunity was lost. (Ex 2:11-15)

• And at that very point, God called on Moses to lead a nation out of slavery.

So don’t ever give up.

During the space between God’s promise and its fulfilment, your faith is being tested.

No matter what happens, remember that God is your loving Father and He has his own timetable.

5. Be Aware that when it’s God’s Time to Act, He can Move Swiftly

‘While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.’ (Acts 13:2-3, NIV)

When it is God’s timing to release you into a new season, no matter how long you have waited, or how impossible it seems, He can open doors very quickly.

If you have felt that change is overdue, and that you have somehow become stuck in a status quo in your personal growth, your walk with God or your situation, be encouraged today!

Right at the point your ‘status quo’ seems to have become permanent, your Father says, ‘I am bringing a new normal. I am tipping you into a new season!’

6. Ask God to give You Wisdom and Insight into His Timing

‘Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.’ (Psalm 90:12, NIV)
Time is scarce, and every moment of your life on earth is a gift from God.

No matter what is happening, it is always God’s time for you to exercise His authority and be who you are—His beloved son or daughter.

You can be like the sons of Issachar, of whom the Bible says, ‘understood the times and knew what Israel should do.’ (1 Chron 12:32)

Your Father is waiting to give you wisdom about His timing, all you need to do is ask, believe and receive it.

‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.’ (James 1: 5, NIV)

Which of the above points about God’s timing do you most relate to right now? Which challenges you the most? Leave a comment on Facebook or in the comment section below.

© 2018 Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries
In the David McCracken Ministries family

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.