This is the road to my home. It’s mentioned in my upcoming book, which is delayed, possibly until after the holidays!

An alternative word for delay is pause. Somehow it feels less discouraging than Merriam-Webster’s definition: hinder.

Who wants to feel hindered from accomplishing their dream?

Pause; however, offers a breather to wait in rest for God’s perfect timing.

Maybe you’re waiting for a raise. Or a package in the mail. Perhaps it’s a car repair or the birth of a child. Recently, my husband spent many days repairing several waterlines. Rain, huge tree roots, and lack of parts delayed the work. After retrieving a wrench from the garage, he stopped at the wooden bench, where I had gathered a few garden vegetables. With a sigh, he remarked, “This is taking longer than I thought.”

I chuckled. “Try writing a book!”

Waiting is hard no matter what size your dream is or how you hope to accomplish it. We don’t easily accept obstacles or individuals that slow us down.

I confess I had to pray for trust during this unexpected pause in publishing my book. I had to keep reassuring myself that God is in control, that He knows exactly how and when to lift the fog.

The Bible says all we need is the faith of a mustard seed, and honestly, sometimes I don’t even have that much.

There’s a saying among authors that we use to encourage one another. It goes something like this: Take a break from your manuscript. When you pick it up again, you’ll see it through fresh eyes.

This is true of most dreams. Facing a pause is more than a breather. It’s a time of rest and trust. It enables us to embrace personal and spiritual growth, new perspectives, and ignites creative spark.

Here are six ways that are helping me to rest and strengthen my faith while I wait for the Holy Spirit to lift the fog.:

1. Stop thinking about how hard the waiting is. Focus on the good to come from it.
2. Learn how to enjoy this time through prayer, praise, and meditation.
3. Share your gifts; help someone else move forward with their dream.
4. Challenge yourself to do something new.
5. Plan for when the fog lifts.
6. Don’t give up. I repeat: Don’t give up!

^“5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

What do you find helpful while waiting to move forward?