{"id":53604,"date":"2020-04-13T18:04:41","date_gmt":"2020-04-13T23:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/?p=53604"},"modified":"2025-08-06T12:45:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T17:45:40","slug":"freely-trapped-while-we-wait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/freely-trapped-while-we-wait\/","title":{"rendered":"Freely Trapped While Waiting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cFor the Lord hears the cry of the needy;<\/i>
\n<\/i>He does not despise His imprisoned people.\u201d <\/i>Psalm 69:33<\/i><\/a> (NLT)\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Imprisoned<\/i>. The word caught my eye as I read this verse. Now that a large portion of the world is under stay-at-home restrictions due to the pandemic — being stuck in the house for weeks, or seeing life barely creep forward — many of us are feeling feel trapped, imprisoned, suffocated. We’re all having to learn how to do life differently. But we can take heart! <\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Freely<\/a>
Bridging the Gap blog #hurthealedwhole<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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For 50+ years, Josh McDowell<\/span><\/a> Ministry has been leading seekers into a deeper knowledge of God\u2019s truth and power. We offer you our accumulated knowledge and research<\/span><\/a> to help you find truth and encouragement to live a healthy and whole life in Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Three Concepts That Lessen Our Feeling Trapped<\/h2>\n

Over the past year I discovered three concepts that are now helping me to endure COVID-19 with less stress, anxiety, and frustration. To not feel so trapped as I wait for normal life to resume. I’d like to share them with you!<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s the first: This too shall pass.
\n\u201cFor everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.\u201d<\/em> Ecclesiastes 3:1<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s just a season, it will pass.\u201d When we hear this phrase so often, it starts to sound like an excuse. But it\u2019s true!\u00a0<\/span>
\nTime and again, history shows us that our suffering will eventually pass. Even the Israelites, who roamed the desert for 40 years, finally entered the promised land. If our season of struggle<\/a> is a national crisis, a sick family member, or even financial ruin, we can know that this season will <\/span>eventually<\/span> end. We are not stuck. We are not on our own. God has not forgotten us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s the second: One day it will all make sense.<\/b>
\n\u201cSo we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. Since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.\u201d <\/em>2 Corinthians 4:18<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cWe are all born with eternity in our hearts\u201d is a very Christian phrase, but it\u2019s true. We all long for more, for better. For the eternal, whole, and beautiful things that are unreachable in this life. <\/span>
\nUntil we reach heaven, we will struggle for understanding<\/a> why things happen the way they do in life.\u00a0<\/span>So reminding myself that \u201cOne day it will all make sense,\u201d helps me to reframe my thoughts. These words take the sting out of the frustration of the moment. They acknowledge that although I don\u2019t have understanding now, one day<\/em> I will.\u00a0<\/span>
\nYears ago I worked for a ruthless boss. Her dictatorial management style, paired with her personal vindictiveness toward employees, was almost unbearable at times. I wish I had used the \u201cOne day it will all make sense\u201d phrase back then! Today, as I reflect on that brutal <\/span>experience, I realize that I learned an invaluable lesson from her: how <\/span>not<\/span><\/em> to lead. It was a good learning experience that certainly didn\u2019t make sense at the time, but it has helped me since, and in a way that makes sense to me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s the third: Wait expectantly, soldier.
\n\u201cListen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.\u201d <\/em>Psalm 5:3<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Do you imagine \u201cwaiting expectantly\u201d to be like rocking in your porch rocker, as you patiently wait for normal life to resume? Not me! Even thinking about sitting still for too long gives me anxiety! <\/span>But perhaps that’s not the way we’re supposed to “wait,” anyway. <\/span>
\nLet’s suppose that we’re on assignment with the military. We\u2019ve been sent to an international location, but we’re now stuck<\/em> on the military base. We\u2019ve put in lots of training, we\u2019ve studied the enemy, and we\u2019re ready to go. But we can’t. We have to wait for our orders. <\/span>
\nAnd as the wait continues, it starts to feel hard, because we don’t know when it will be over.\u00a0<\/span>
\nBut as we wait expectantly, <\/em>we<\/span>\u00a0continue to workout, prepare our plans and equipment, and conduct training scenarios with our teams to stay mission-ready. And we repeat this habit every single day until we finally receive our mission orders to go do what we\u2019ve been waiting to do!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ways to <\/b>Wait Expectantly<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Enjoy our alone time.<\/b>
\n<\/span>Use the time you have to increase your praying, Bible reading, blogging\/writing, and sleeping. Plan your future goals, hone your mission statement, or go for an extended prayer walk. Breathe deeply.<\/span>
\nRelish our time with others.<\/b>
\n<\/span>In this stressful time, society is encouraging us to spend time with family and friends. So don\u2019t feel guilty about doing so! Pump up the bike tires, and pull out the board games, and add them to your day\u2019s margin. If you don\u2019t have people sheltering in place with you, enjoy your healthy online communities.\u00a0<\/span>
\nLearn new things.<\/b>
\n<\/span>With less time commuting to work every day, use that time to cook a new dish, doodle in your sketchbook, or perhaps plant in your garden. Do something that you\u2019ve always wanted to do but never had the time to do.\u00a0<\/span>
\nDial down the negative.<\/b>
\n<\/span>Balance staying up-to-date with the news by finding positive stories that boost your mood. Try turning up positive music or writing a note to encourage a friend.<\/span>
\nStay grateful.<\/b>
\n<\/span>Savor a cup of coffee as you identify things for which you can be grateful: the sun (or rain), new time for hobbies, or perhaps a quiet house (or one bounding with energy). Start a \u201cjoy jar\u201d to remind you later of happy moments during this time. They will be good reminders for you later!<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As we wait out this pandemic crisis, you and I don\u2019t need to feel trapped or imprisoned. Thankfully, we live in a time with so much information, innovation, and technology at our fingertips that we can be connected to others, even as we’re quarantined at home. <\/span>As I use these tips in my daily life, my feelings of anxiety and being trapped alleviate. And as I talk to God and process where I am, I feel calmer. I begin to realize I\u2019m going to be okay — whatever happens — and that eventually this hard time will pass. <\/span><\/p>\n

One day this will all make sense. We’ll have a better understanding of what caused COVID-19, and how to best handle pandemics in the future. But right now, my daily goal is to focus, plan, and hone my skills as I wait expectantly<\/em> for life to resume. I hope my suggestions help you, too!<\/h4>\n
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