God has future blessing. . . Just be patient

In response to "Though there be Autumn in my Life", a loving commenter made a statement which I have encountered many times previously, but left unaddressed in my initial post.  For the sake of others, I post a full response here.  Please read this post with all the love and compassion it is written and with utmost openness of my own journey.

"God has _______ for you. . . Just be patient"

I encounter this type of statement regularly. For those ministering to the those in a season of waiting (i.e., barrenness, singleness, wayward children, anyone struggling with unanswered questions waiting in "the silence of God"), statements proclaiming promises of God that He did not make and even those He did make that we don't always understand - tread lightly here. 

"God has the perfect person for you" can be hard for the Christian single to hear. As I study Scripture, I have not found where God promises marriage.  However, I have found that He will give grace and strength for the path He gives us. Often I get two extremes from people, and I don't believe I am alone: "God has someone amazing - just be patient. . . you're still so young" OR "But look at how free you are and all you get to do because you are single". Somewhere between these two statements, the church can minister to singles by appreciating us where we are without regard to our marital status or trying to fix it. 

For those struggling with barrenness, promising that God will someday bless the womb only highlights their barrenness. Sometimes the best thing we can do is to come alongside and sit in the "silence of God" with them. 

Statements proclaiming the unknown future leave me struggling somewhere between bitterness and a false sense of hope.  If tempted to count on this unknown, I could be living in a lie.  A natural response to that fear is the jaded response of "Really? How do you know?"  To focus on our struggle, whatever that may be, takes our minds off of how we can serve God right where He placed us in the here and now living wholeheartedly in this path one moment at a time working for a future Kingdom.  

I in no way want to be harsh towards a well-meaning comment. I lovingly want to communicate how making promises God Himself did not make can be discouraging and frustrating to those who have been seeking His plan and praying for His guidance and blessing. Pray with us. 

James 5:13-18 NLT "13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops."