Are you heavy today? Have you been walking through a season in your personal life and just felt low – like something was pushing you down with every step? Have you been at a gathering and had a hard time faking a laugh because it would indeed be fake?

I hear you, my friend. I’ve been there too.

When my pastor started his sermon a few weeks ago with the words, “When there’s weight in the waiting,” my ears immediately perked up. I knew exactly what that meant.

Often these seasons come when we desperately long for or need something, and we just haven’t gotten it yet.

Maybe you’re waiting on a long-desired pregnancy.

Maybe your finances aren’t meeting each month, and you’re waiting on provision.

Or maybe you’re waiting on the salvation of one of your children.

Perhaps hope has felt just beyond your reach, and discouragement has had its way with you.

This is weight. Real and heavy and sometimes all-consuming.

God didn’t intend for us to walk around heavy, but sometimes we do.

He said “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

If you grew up in church like I did, that verse isn’t new. Sometimes those frequently read scriptures lose meaning to us, and we lose track of how to apply them to our lives.

But the truth is clear – His burdens are light. His burdens aren’t weighty.

The weight comes when we aren’t trusting, aren’t in alignment with His plan, or have grown weary from discouragement.

If this is your season, know that you aren’t alone.

First, ask yourself, “is the thing I’m waiting for godly?” Is it in line with His call on your life? Is your motivation good and holy?

God does often grant us the desires of our heart when we put Him first, but sometimes we are waiting on something we’ve concocted. Something we wish to have, but not necessarily something He’s designed for us. This is the hardest reality to face, and it’s something only you can answer for yourself.

Understanding that you might need to change the way you pray is tough. We don’t want to give up our hopes and dreams. But sometimes, He is saying, “That’s not what I have in mind for you. I have something more.” And know that what He says is “more” or “better” doesn’t always line up with our definition of those words.

But if you do feel He’s promised it and the longing in your heart is in alignment with His calling, then you are probably experiencing the weight of a waiting season.

And I have good news for you.

The pressure to make it come to pass isn’t on you. When He promised it, He didn’t give you the responsibility of making it happen.

Sometimes the words, “there’s nothing you can do about it” can be the most freeing because that means you can stop obsessing over it. Take it off your to-do list!

As my pastor put it best – even when it’s not fulfilled, we can rest in the promise of it.

Take courage in the knowledge of that promise! It’s not here yet, but the One who promised it does not go back on His word. He will fulfill what He said he would.

Talk about a load off! Reminding ourselves of His faithfulness despite our circumstances can be a game-changer.

On another note, let this season be productive in another way – learn something. Ask yourself, “what is God teaching me in the waiting?” Often, we will learn more about ourselves and, more importantly, about God than during any season of fruition.

A waiting season can be grueling and heavy, but it can also sharpen our patience, our faith, our gratitude, and our closeness with our Father. Do not see this season as a waste because I assure you, He wastes NOTHING.

Lastly, if you’re feeling a bit weighty, give yourself some grace. It won’t last forever, and in the meantime, He truly is the great comforter.

You don’t have to fake that smile – even at Christmas. It’s okay to not always feel happy and content.

Just know that better days are ahead. You’re not alone. You have value and worth right now, in your current season.

You are loved more than you could ever imagine.

Written by Anna Wetherington

Anna lives in Valdosta, GA with her husband and daughter.