Learning to Love in the Waiting
Scripture: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalm 23:1
He Provides All That We Need
When we read Psalm 23:1, we often think about physical needs: food, shelter, and provision. But as I sat with the Lord this morning, He reminded me that His care runs much deeper. He provides everything we need emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.
We’ve all faced moments when we or someone we love has been wronged or misunderstood. It hurts deeply. And if we’re honest, it can stir something inside of us that wants to defend, explain, or fix what feels unfair. That defense quickly turns into frustration… and, if left unchecked, frustration grows into bitterness.
But bitterness never brings peace. It only poisons the soil of our hearts, and I could feel it trying to take root in mine.
Bringing It to the Shepherd
So, I did what I’ve learned to do: I took it to the Lord. I poured out my emotions honestly in my journal and asked, “How do I lay these down?”
His response was gentle, yet firm.
- I am all you need.
Being misunderstood or wronged isn’t your battle to fight. Stop spending your energy trying to prove the truth to people who can’t yet see it. Instead, lean into Me, the Life Source, the Truth itself. - This is an opportunity for growth.
You keep asking to grow closer to Me, and this is part of that growth. I know what it feels like to be misunderstood and wronged, and yet I still chose love. I gave My life for those who rejected Me.
He reminded me that He’s not asking me to hang on a cross. He’s asking me to love those He loves.
Loving in the Waiting
These are people I’ve been praying for – that their hearts would soften toward Him. And I believe He is working, even when I can’t see it. But I’m in the waiting.
Waiting is one of the hardest places to love from. It’s where our flesh wants to shut down, cut people off, and walk away. But the Shepherd calls us to stay near, not to the chaos, but to Him.
Because when we stay close to the Shepherd, we lack nothing.
He becomes our peace when the situation feels unfair.
He becomes our defender when words have failed.
He becomes our supply when love feels impossible to give.
A Word for Our Hearts
If you find yourself in that same place of feeling unseen, misunderstood, or wronged, remember this: you are not forgotten. The Good Shepherd knows the ache, and He promises to meet your every need, even the ones words can’t express.
Let Him lead you beside still waters this week.
Let Him restore your soul.
And in the waiting, choose love, not because it’s easy, but because it’s His way.
Lord, You are my Shepherd. You know my needs before I speak them.
Teach me to lay down my defenses and pick up Your peace.
Help me to love even when it hurts and to trust that You are working behind the scenes.
In every season of waiting, remind me that I lack nothing in You.
Amen.
