Holding patterns

"Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking, we will be entering a holding pattern for a while."


The diagram above depicts what a holding pattern looks like on the charts that we, as pilots, use to fly the aircraft in accordance with FAA directives. When we as airline pilots make the announcement to the passengers that it is necessary to enter a holding pattern for a while, there arent a lot of favorable reactions received from the passengers. Personally, I find myself in a holding pattern spiritually. It is a condition in which I am not too pleased with, to be honest. With a chronic health issue, I have been unable to do a lot of things I would like to lately. It is a time of restricted mobility, reflection, and prayer. I would rather not stay in this holding pattern any longer, but there is a divine purpose and plan for the length and nature of holding patterns. I ran across an article on the Internet lately that puts this entire matter into spiritual perspective:

Many times God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to "swallow us up." This season in our spiritual growth is a holding pattern. We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit, like Jonah sat in the belly of that great fish, so God can have our undivided attention and speak to us. God put Jonah in a holding pattern because He needed to speak to his heart. Jonah was all alone. There were no friends to call, no colleagues to drop by, no books to read, no food to eat, no interferences and no interruptions. He had plenty of time to sit, think, meditate, and pray. When we're down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to us. When He has our undivided attention, He can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A FEW OF GOD'S HOLDING PATTERNS:

1. When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed, but God has not healed you yet....you are in a holding pattern.

2. When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them yet...you are in a holding pattern.

3. When you have been praying for the salvation of a loved one and they have not been saved yet,.....you are in a holding pattern.

4. When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, .....you are in a holding pattern.

5. When the doors slam shut before you can knock on them,....
you are in a holding pattern.

When we are deep in the belly of a difficult situation, there are no interruptions. God has our undivided attention. All we can do is sit, think, meditate, and pray. We cannot run from God because there are no mountains that are high enough, rooms that are dark enough, or places that are hidden enough from Him. We must remember to praise Him while we're waiting and remember three things:

1. The pattern has a purpose.
2. The pattern has a plan.
3. The pattern has a process

So stop struggling and start listening, praying and trusting. He'll keep you right where you are until you can clearly hear Him say, "I love you."
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Perhaps, one reason we dont like holding patterns is because they dont seem to be a period of productivity (as we are accustomed to measuring it). We want things done quickly so we can move on to other undertakings. God has a much different sense of time than we do. Some folks might say, well, God lives forever so He doesnt have to worry about time, but we have a limited amount of time to "get things done"; so we need to hurry! I agree with that statement to a certain extent, however, remember who you are dealing with here. The infinite, incomparable, loving God of the universe can get more done with a nod of His mighty head than we could accomplish in a thousand lifetimes. Remember, Jesus had a ministry of only three years. God can accomplish anything He wants to in a twinkling of an eye. He wants you to participate in his plans, but if you are not able to because of your "holding pattern" status. Dont worry. God will have plenty for you to do when you are "cleared out of the holding pattern" (in aviation terms).

So, if you find yourself in a holding pattern today, like I do, my advice is to keep your spiritual eyes and ears open, stay in faith, stay in the Word, and lastly stay ready. You will be out of the holding pattern before you know it.

Have a great day
Blessings!
George