Perfect Timing (God’s, Not Mine)

By Lori Heagney

I heard a story once about a father and daughter who were discussing her trip home for the holidays. She was to take a train and her dad was providing the ticket. The daughter was a worrier and she expressed that she was afraid the ticket would come too late, or maybe not at all, and she would miss her train completely. She panicked that she would not make it home for Christmas, and that would be awful!

Her father’s response was one of compassion, for he was accustomed to his daughter’s anxious ways. He said she needed to trust him; he would provide her ticket, and she would get it before she needed to get on the train. It would be supplied at just the right time she needed it, and not a moment too soon or too late.

I can certainly relate to this anxious daughter. Being a planner by nature, I prefer to have all my ducks in a row well in advance, and have become very impatient if a plan does not come together in my timing. I am sure we all can relate to wanting things done our way and on our timeline. I can also admit that I’ve learned that life doesn’t quite work out that way.

God has taught me a few things about waiting on Him and trusting in His timing over the years. This little story is full of parallels about God’s plan for us to put our full trust in Him and take our hands off our need to control things.

In reflecting on this story here’s what I have concluded:

1. God will provide.

I have found that God is a God of “11:59” when the deadline is “12:00”, but He always comes through. He is never late. If my prayer wasn’t answered the way I thought it should have been, then God has a better way to answer it.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

2. Do not be anxious about anything.

I love God’s use of “absolute” language in Philippians 4:6. “Anything” encompasses “everything”. There is not one thing that is outside of God’s control. He is able to handle anything that causes me worry or concern. I just have to turn it over to Him.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

3. Trust God.

Trust is the foundation of every good relationship. If I want a relationship with God, I must choose to trust who He is and what He says He will do in my life.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4)

4. It takes faith.

Faith is invisible, but it is one of the greatest moving forces on earth and in heaven. It pleases God as we blindly move forward, trusting that He will work all things together for our good.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”(Hebrews 11:1)

5. God’s timing is perfect.

God works all things together in His timing and His way is always the best way.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Perhaps you are in a season of waiting and it seems endless. Maybe you feel that you “missed your train” because you trusted someone would come through for you and they didn’t. As a result you may have grasped a tighter grip on control only to find out that it is producing more stress, anxiety, or irritability in your life. It seems strange that letting go of control would be the answer, but it is. You can trust God with all your worries, problems, and concerns. He may not give you the answer you have planned out, but He will come through for you and will use the problems of this season for your good. He won’t be a moment too soon or too late. You can trust Him.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Lori graduated from Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God (now Southeastern University) in Lakeland, Florida in 1990 with a BA in Psychology. She earned her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Stetson University in Deland, Florida in 1997. She was licensed in Florida as a Mental Health Counselor in 2000. She became licensed in the state of North Carolina as a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2009 after moving to NC in the fall of 2008. She is on the professional counselor referral network for Focus on the Family, a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), and a contributor to the Blog for Summit Wellness Centers.Lori joined the team of Summit Wellness Centers after having been in practice with A Clear Word Counseling Center since 2010. Prior to this she practiced in the community mental health and substance abuse field in both inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities since 1987. She has a great passion for neurobiology and helping empower individuals to recognize their God-given ability to be “Transformed by the renewing of their mind (Romans 12:2).” Her areas of expertise include working with mental health issues of depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder as well as extensive experience in women’s issues, divorce recovery, tween/teen issues, grief, and couples/marital therapy. Lori is the proud mother of two wonderful girls. She enjoys home improvement projects, gardening, and time spent in the beautiful outdoors of North Carolina with her family.

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