Have you ever found yourself in the in-between space?
During a season in my life, while praying for patience, I experienced a series of trials that turned my life upside down. I did not understand what was going on and why I was going through this hardship. It was during this time that I experienced what it was like to be in the in-between space.
A Listening Heart
Take the first step towards healing and growth. Book your free call now and let’s journey together in faith and friendship.
What is the in-between space?
It is the gap between a situation and its resolution, or a promise and its fulfillment. It is the space between where we are now and where we would like to be. It is a period of waiting. If you know me, I don’t enjoy waiting. ?
I bet you don’t too.
Waiting requires patience.
The process of waiting for a painful situation to resolve is difficult for most people. We want to bypass the in-between period if possible.
As a nation, we are in the in-between space right now. Affliction, chaos, confusion, and uncertainty mark our days. Over 137 thousand families are mourning the loss of loved ones, many are sick in the hospital.
We are not alone.
The people of Judah faced anarchy and an invasion by the Babylonian army. Prophet Habakkuk struggled to understand God’s role in this turmoil. God’s seeming silence and inaction frustrated him. He said to God, how long must I call for help but you do not listen? Habakkuk 1:2
Just like Habakkuk, we too are struggling to understand God’s role in our current crisis. We ask:
- God, where are you?
- What are you up to and why are you allowing this pain and suffering?
- How long are you going to let us continue suffering like this?
- Would you allow this to go on forever?
- We question God’s goodness.
While Prophet Habakkuk helps put our feelings into words, he also models for us what to do when waiting in the in-between space seems unbearable.
Is God indifferent to our suffering? No!
I encourage you to read Habakkuk Chapters 1-3.
Attitude for waiting in the in-between space
I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint. Habakkuk 2:1
Habakkuk set his heart attitude to embrace the pain, have patience, and wait on God in the process. Though we too have many questions about our current crisis, let us follow Habakkuk’s example…
- Pause, listen to what God is saying and rest in his silence.
- Rest and trust that he is working behind the scenes in ways that you and I cannot see.
- Wait…
- Quiet your spirit
While God maybe silent, he always has a plan.
During my crisis, following Habakkuk’s example was a lifesaver. Trusting that God was working behind the scenes in ways that I could not see gave me a fresh perspective and hope.
Guess what?
While waiting, God gave Habakkuk a vision about how things would end. He told him to write it down and share it with others. The vision would be fulfilled in the future and he was even if it seems slow in coming, wait patiently for it. It will surely come to pass, it will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:2-3
Friend, God’s timing is always perfect. We can trust his Sovereignty and goodness in the midst of uncertainties. In this in-between space, let us wait in faithful expectation.
Sometimes God permits pain and suffering to accomplish a greater good. Like Habakkuk, we can embrace joy in the process even if we cannot see how it will all come together in the end.
No situation is too difficult for God to handle. As we wait expectantly, we can trust that He will indeed work all things together for our good and for his glory.
Friend, in what ways will you invite God into your in-between space?
Share in the comments below.
