Trusting God in the Waiting Season| Girls Gone Bible

Summary

Girls Gone Bible - "Trusting God in the Waiting Season"

Host(s): Angela Halili & Arielle Reitsma
Release Date: February 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

This heartfelt, vulnerable episode of Girls Gone Bible centers on the theme of "trusting God in the waiting season." Hosts Angela and Arielle open up about their personal struggles with waiting—particularly Arielle’s journey through heartbreak, singleness, and rediscovery of self—illuminating the spiritual and emotional challenges of times when life is on pause. Sharing scriptural wisdom, honest stories, and practical encouragement, they create a safe space for listeners to feel seen and affirmed in their own seasons of waiting. The conversation is woven with humor, raw moments, deep faith, and encouragement for anyone wrestling with disappointment, delay, and hope deferred.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Nature of the "Waiting Season"

• Defining the Season: Arielle introduces the experience of waiting as an "in between," a period marked by anticipation, unanswered prayers, and a mixture of hope and pain.

  "So many of us are in this waiting season. It's like this in between where you're just like, waiting, but you're also having faith... Because the waiting season is nothing less than a blessing. But people try to make it feel like it's a curse." – Ari (18:25)

• Common Experiences: Both hosts reflect on the anxieties and social pressures women face, especially regarding singleness in their 30s—often accompanied by shame, comparison, and feelings of being left behind.

Personal Stories: From Heartbreak to Healing

• Arielle’s Journey: Arielle shares in detail about her life unraveling—losing a significant relationship, financial stability, and direction, and being forced back to "square one."

  "To have everything just completely stripped from you was... It was so jarring... I felt like my life was over. Like, I really... I felt like my time was up." – Ari (29:21)

• Choosing to Fight, Not Wallow:
  Arielle emphasizes the importance of not "wasting" the waiting season by giving in to bitterness or escapism. Instead, she focuses on how suffering pressed her into deeper dependence on God:

  "I could have sat and wallowed in pity and just been in depression for years. But I thank God that I fought. So when I found Jesus... it was that little bit of hope and safety that I found for the first time in my life." (32:10)

• Transformation Through Surrender:
  Through grief, loneliness, and surrender, Arielle finds her identity restored—not as someone rescued by another person, but as someone deeply known and loved by God.

  "I can't quite believe the woman that I am, and it was only because of this waiting season and I held onto that vision..." – Ari (41:29)

Lessons from Waiting: Scriptural Anchors

Angela and Arielle weave scripture throughout, sharing favorite verses and the spiritual purpose of waiting:

• Key Scriptures Referenced:

  • John 13:7 — "You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later."
  • Romans 8:28 — "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..."
  • Ecclesiastes 3:1 — "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens." (21:25)
  • Isaiah 30:18 — "So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion." (64:40)

• On God's Timing:

  "God allows different seasons for a reason, and we might miss out on his plans if we try to skip any of them... Your waiting season is the furthest thing from a punishment." – Ari (21:25)
  "His time is so much better than our time... my Jesus knows better than I do." – Ari (64:40)

• Purpose & Preparation:

  "He is using this time to prepare you to step into whatever new season he has in store for your next." (21:25)

Navigating Comparison & Social Pressure

• Pressure from Society & Church:
  Angela discusses the shame that comes from not living up to social timelines, referencing public judgment about her own relationship’s pace:

  "The church puts so much pressure especially on women and it's always like us... They make us feel like damaged goods if somebody hasn't already, like, chosen us... it's like we're the problem, you know?" – Angela (54:25)

• Comparison Trap:
  Arielle warns how easy it is to slide from healthy admiration into envy, which breeds bitterness and spiritual dryness.

  "You start to covet them, when you start to wish you had what they have... then all of a sudden the grief comes... And then you start feeling so sick." (61:04)

The Spiritual Gifts of Waiting

• Learning Contentment & Self-Worth:
  Through waiting, Arielle learns to wake up content, no longer defined by relationships or external achievements:

  "I want somebody to add to me. I don't want to need something. My whole life I needed something. That's what an idol is... whatever has your attention the most is... your God." – Ari (58:42)

• Compassion & Empathy:
  Having walked through pain herself, Arielle reflects on how she can now support others with genuine understanding:

  "I'm so blessed that I now... have so much compassion for... friends in a waiting season... And that's such a gift. When you can understand others." (58:42)

• Using the Season Well:
  The hosts encourage listeners not to “waste” the waiting—but to invest in friendships, family, personal growth, and especially relationship with God.

Encouragement & Final Reflections

• Angela to Arielle:
  Angela offers heartfelt affirmation and gratitude for Arielle’s courage and vulnerability, emphasizing her growth and gift for storytelling.

  "For somebody who... Satan has always told you that you can't speak... You are such a phenomenal writer... It's so beyond impressive, your gifting." – Angela (24:10)

• Arielle’s Charge to Listeners:

  "Your waiting season truly is preparation... Look at what God had for me... I didn't stay stuck. I didn't give in. I fought with him. I surrendered to him... I had a heart for him and a hunger for him." (41:48)

• Notable Final Advice:

  "If you're in a waiting season, this is what God might be doing: Strengthening your patience. Protecting you from what you can't see. Preparing a bigger blessing than you asked for. Working on someone else's heart... Removing people and things that can't go... Making sure your faith is in him, not just the outcome... Healing your heart before he gives you what you're praying for." – Ari (71:45)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Faithfulness in Suffering:

  "[At the end of Job] he says, 'I've heard about you my whole life, but now I see you with my own eyes.'" – Ari (40:35)

• On Self-Sufficiency in Christ:

  "I’m not a damsel in distress anymore. And that's what Jesus wanted to show me." – Ari (51:15)

• On God’s Plans:

  "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined the plans that God has for those who love Him." – Ari (71:42)

• Angela affirms Ari as a writer and friend:

  "You wear your heart on your sleeve. You're able to recount stories and express things and communicate in a way that, like, other people just can't." – Angela (24:10)

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Important Timestamps

• Arielle Introduces the Waiting Season: 18:25 – 23:45
• Scripture & Devotional Readings: 21:25, 64:40
• Arielle’s Testimony – Hitting Rock Bottom and Choosing Faith: 29:21 – 41:29
• Angela Affirms Arielle’s Growth as a Writer and Woman: 24:10
• Navigating Social and Church Pressure: 54:25
• The Gifts and Preparation of the Waiting Season: 41:32 – 51:15
• Comparison and Bitterness: 61:04
• Key Advice for the Waiting Season and God’s Purpose: 71:45
• Final Blessing: 73:52

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Summary Table: Timeline of the Main Content

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 18:25 | Introduction to the theme: The Waiting Season | | 21:25 | Scriptural Encouragement & Devotional Reading | | 24:10 | Angela Praises Arielle’s Storytelling Gift | | 29:21 | Arielle Details Hitting Rock Bottom | | 41:29 | Arielle’s Transformation & Hope | | 54:25 | Comparison, Social Pressure, Church’s Role | | 61:04 | Navigating Envy and Bitterness | | 64:40 | Isaiah 30:18, God Waiting for Our Response | | 71:45 | Arielle Lists What God Might Be Doing in Waiting | | 73:52 | Closing Blessing and Encouragement |

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Tone & Language

Angela and Arielle are honest, warm, slightly self-deprecating, and deeply compassionate. Their candid storytelling style creates connection and comfort for listeners; spiritual encouragement is delivered with both gravity and gentle humor, never shying away from hard truths or moments of longing and vulnerability.

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Takeaways for Listeners

• You are not alone in finding the waiting season difficult; it is normal to have moments of grief, comparison, or doubt.
• True healing and contentment are found in deepening dependence on God—not in relationships or accomplishments.
• Don’t "waste" the waiting by numbing the pain or seeking quick fixes; instead, invest in personal growth, community, and intimacy with God.
• God’s plan and timing are always better—even when we can’t see it yet.

  "He uses everything, every single moment of pain. Every day that you feel like is being wasted, it's not." – Ari (43:45)

• Your story, with all its pauses and disappointments, can become a beacon of hope for others.
• Hold onto faith:

  "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined the plans that God has for those who love Him." – Ari (71:42)

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Final Blessing:

"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he turn his face towards you and give you peace. Shalom."
— Angela & Arielle (73:52)

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This episode is a balm for anyone struggling in their own "waiting season," offering empathy, wisdom, and the hope that, with God, not a moment is wasted.

Transcript

[Angela]

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[Ari]

We're lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions. Hi there. We're looking to get to the campground.

[Angela]

Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road.

[Ari]

No, I'm just kidding.

[Angela]

Let me get my phone out.

[Ari]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[Angela]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge.

[Ari]

We're getting the same great signal as

[Angela]

the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee.

[Ari]

Okay, here's those directions. Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store? America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores. Best mobile network Based on analysis by Ookle of Speedtest Intelligence data 2H2025 bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US Cellular's network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees. Apply se t mobile.com for details. How convenient that we order from a place with yoga poses and peace signs.

[Angela]

Peace signs. Don't get mad at us. We're not demonic. They all. Honestly, sometimes they say bad words on them too.

[Ari]

Let's hope they do. Oh, yeah.

[Angela]

Our congratulations.

[Ari]

Congratulations, angel. You guys, I think the favorite. My favorite part of the book is our love story.

[Angela]

Literally. Me too. It's June 3rd, which means our book, our devotional. Out of the wilderness. Out of the wilderness. 31 devotions to get you through your hardest seasons. Is that what it's called? It's a long title. 31 devotion. 31 devotions to get you through your hardest seasons.

[Ari]

31 devotions to walk with God.

[Angela]

Yeah, I wrote that. We wrote that. I know.

[Ari]

In action.

[Angela]

In action. It's not even a real book.

[Ari]

It's not a real book.

[Angela]

Can I be honest? I think the best part about this podcast is that we are the biggest amateurs on the world.

[Ari]

We're truly living in ignorance.

[Angela]

I want you guys to know, no matter how big it gets, we still don't know what's going on.

[Ari]

We still don't know. That is the best part of this. We don't try. God chose us. Yes.

[Angela]

We don't try.

[Ari]

We don't try. We don't know what we're doing.

[Angela]

We go into meetings. We're five minutes in. We're trying to figure out who we're talking to, what we're talking about. Ari and I, we both rely on each other to take notes. I'm always like, I'm going to check out, cuz she's here, I'll have her.

[Ari]

And.

[Angela]

But she does the same thing. So neither of us listen. Neither of us know what to do.

[Ari]

No, it's really true. I think that's been the most challenging thing about being in business together is that I truly check out. Because I rely so much on you listening that when I'm in meetings, I hear about five words in the whole meeting.

[Angela]

And you know me, I listen to every third word.

[Ari]

You really. You really just started disassociating lately. I wanted to take a photo on the call last night. I look up and.

[Angela]

And she's.

[Ari]

She's like, giving us instructions. I look at Angela and she's like, was I looking? You were looking off screen.

[Angela]

I was fasting. I Was so, like, I didn't know. I haven't fasted in almost what feels like a year.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Because I didn't fast when I was on track.

[Ari]

Last time I fasted, I fainted.

[Angela]

Last time you fasted, I fed you goldfish by the bathroom.

[Ari]

Did we tell people that?

[Angela]

I don't think so. Be cautionary tale for fasting. Really Speak to a doctor first.

[Ari]

But you know why. You know why that happened, right? Because I am so highly addicted to coffee that not having a coffee. My migraine was so bad that I could not see straight Then that's really

[Angela]

good for you to fast.

[Ari]

Probably when. You know, when people talk about idols. Yeah. The first thing I think about is coffee. I made an. Before I go to bed, I almost want to go to bed because I'm like, this is really not okay. But I'm like. And let me know if you feel this way, too. I'm like, I can't wait to go to sleep because I get to wake up and have a coffee.

[Angela]

Oh, it's so real. My mom's like that. My mom sets up her coffee the night before. You and my mom are the same person.

[Ari]

I know.

[Angela]

I know. Well, my. So that's. Your hyper fixation is coffee? Yeah.

[Ari]

Are you kidding?

[Angela]

And celery juice.

[Ari]

I do love a good celery Joyce.

[Angela]

I love a good celery Joyce. And your other hip hyper fixation is that eggs have. That eggs have diseases and I can't eat.

[Ari]

I don't like eggs because they're bad for you. Who told you? The medical medium. Who's that? I follow him, and I'm following everything he says. Is that demonic medical medium?

[Angela]

I don't know. Medium.

[Ari]

Oh, yeah. I don't know. No, he loves Jesus, I think. Oh, God,

[Angela]

My hyper fix. Okay, if you go to Whole Foods, they have this dispenser that dispenses peanut butter, and it dispenses almond butter, and there's no oil. It's the best thing I've ever eaten. Eaten in my life. I was at John's house the other day, and I was eating a banana with.

[Ari]

You've been doing this with the almond.

[Angela]

Yeah, with the almond butter on top. And I'm freaking out about the almond butter. And I go, john, like, I have never eaten anything as good as this almond butter in my life.

[Ari]

Like.

[Angela]

And I'm going on and on and on about this almond butter. And he goes, you need help. There's something not right with the way you get. He goes, no offense. There's Nothing special about that almond butter

[Ari]

you get like this. I just love what I love, but you got to go with it. It's kind of cute. I'm like, okay. Yeah. My favorite part is the excitement that you get when we pull into somewhere where you know you're going to get that Hyper fixation bar or juice or whatever it is the month. That whatever obsession that you're in. It's. It's. It's like your. Your joy. It's like. And that's morning. She doesn't need anything else.

[Angela]

I don't need expensive things. I just.

[Ari]

She would rather just have that one little thing than, like, most girls would want a nice, like, I don't know, bracelet.

[Angela]

Not.

[Ari]

I just get her a bar.

[Angela]

Just get her a bar. What about when you and I first became friends and. Yeah, I terrorized you. I used to.

[Ari]

I was so depressed. She just wanted that. I just wanted, like. I just followed everything Angela did. And so I just was, like, happy to be there. Like, I was just happy to be there and go along for the ride.

[Angela]

I would pick her up every single day because I had just gotten out of a relationship, so I was, like, super down bad, too. And I would go to the. Every single day. I'd pick you up, I'd say, hey, you want to come to the farmer's market? Get a chicken. Get chicken breast. Raw chicken breasts.

[Ari]

And I didn't know her obsession. I didn't know what was going on. I just thought, okay, we're eating chicken every day and cutting up carrots every day.

[Angela]

Same thing. Every day, Same time. Time, 5 o'. Clock.

[Ari]

It was.

[Angela]

I have gotten so much better since then.

[Ari]

You would go to the butcher every day. Every day. I was like, oh, this is kind of nice. And then I was, well, you feel like you had a boyfriend. And I remember, I think I asked you if you wanted to make something different one time, and you were like, no, let's just do the chicken and carrots. And I was like, okay.

[Angela]

You didn't know yet.

[Ari]

I didn't know yet. No.

[Angela]

There's nothing like the beef addiction. That was scary. That was actually scary.

[Ari]

The beef was something else.

[Angela]

You guys know, went carnivore for a little bit. I was eating so much beef, like, I literally carried it in a Tupperware everywhere I went.

[Ari]

Everywhere we went, you had a Tupperware, was full of beef.

[Angela]

The carnivore diet era, that was one that I like. I look back and I'm like, okay, that was not good. That's not funny at that point, that

[Ari]

was a crazy one. Dinner is the one part of the day that still catches me off guard every time. Like, I know it's coming and somehow I'm still unprepared. You get through the whole whole day and then suddenly it's like, now we also have to figure out what to eat. And not just eat. Decide, cook, clean. It's a lot. Which is why I've been using Tovala. This podcast is sponsored by Tovala, and it's honestly made dinner a lot simpler. Tovala is a meal delivery service, but it also comes with a smart oven so you can get fresh meals. You can scan the QR code, put it in, and the oven just handles everything. It steams, bakes, broils, all of it. You don't have to guess anything, which is good because I will guess wrong every time. The other night had the panko herb crusted salmon with sweet potato mash and mustard cream sauce, and I was like, okay, this is actually really good. Like, it tastes like I put the effort in and I did not. And it actually tastes like real food, not like something you're eating while telling yourself this is fine. And it also saves so much time because it's not just cooking, it's deciding grocery shopping, prepping, cleaning, all of that. And this just takes that off your plate. And the oven works for other stuff too. You can scan groceries like frozen meals or waffles, and it just knows how to cook them, which feels a little unnecessary, but. But also amazing at this point. Anything that removes decisions at the end of the day, I'm in for a limited time. Because you are a Girls Gone Bible listener, you can get Tovala Smart oven for just $49 plus free shipping. When you order your meals more than six times, just go to tovala.com GGB and use my code GGB. That's a $49 Tovala Smart Oven. When you head to tovala.comGGB and use promo code GGB one last time that T O V A L A.com use my promo code GGB. Remember, with Tovala, dinner is taken care of.

[Angela]

Anyways, so today I'm wearing my America shirt because I love America. No reason in particular.

[Ari]

Today I look like Mary Poppins. Why? No, there's a reason. You love America.

[Angela]

I love America. Do you love America?

[Ari]

I do. Oh, I do.

[Angela]

Oh, well, who's under that?

[Ari]

I love America, but when I go to Italy and I see family sitting there and no one's on their phone and they're all just so like, the kids are well behaved. They're actually talking and interacting with each other and no one's on their phone. Yeah, no one's on their phone at all. They're all just enjoying the moment, playing. And so I'm like, that and the food that's poisoning us and giving us all cancer is just. Ugh. Where you can go into a train station in Italy and you can get a croissant. Oh, it's not there.

[Angela]

I am, I'm going, I'm going to.

[Ari]

Oh, just kidding. I'm just kidding.

[Angela]

We can joke now after last week's episode.

[Ari]

It was beautiful.

[Angela]

Yeah. But if I'm being honest, you can go to Idaho and you see that same thing.

[Ari]

You can go to. I loved Idaho.

[Angela]

You loved Idaho.

[Ari]

It was a beautiful. I was not. I was expecting to land and see like a bunch of like big fat potatoes and like just.

[Angela]

I've never seen potatoes in farms. Yeah, no, it's cute. Boise, Idaho is up and coming. We're putting it on the map.

[Ari]

It reminded me so much of South Carolina. They just need to add in some cute little clothing stores.

[Angela]

It's just a little bit of Nordstrom, a little bit of Reformation, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. But there are places in America where people actually do sit and talk to each other. Maybe not in big major cities where there are no families. You and I are just desperately wanting to be around families and like, oh, it's just so crazy how life changes and you're like just the independent lifestyle of like somewhere like LA or another major city where everybody's alone. We're not meant to live alone. We're not, you know, we're not meant to be alone.

[Ari]

We're not meant to be alone.

[Angela]

Yeah, I agree. We're not meant to be alone.

[Ari]

I just want to be around greenery and kid children and like sidewalks and I don't know, this fast paced life. I like it. Like, I love the city life.

[Angela]

Oh, same.

[Ari]

Like, I like to go, but I, I want to come home and just. That's why I love Massachusetts. Because it's just like I was on FaceTime with Jen this morning, my sister, and she's just walking on this trail and the trees and the greenery and I hear kids and it's just like that normal life. I love it. I love it. I long for it.

[Angela]

You're gonna have it. It's time.

[Ari]

Angela says this to me all the time. She goes, enough is enough. It's time R. It's time.

[Angela]

I'm like, I know it is happening. No, I like, it's so funny about Albanians. We're like the most patriotic people in the world. Albanians love being Albanian. And then Albanians who live in America love being Albanian American. Like, we're so.

[Ari]

Well, tell them about what you're gonna. What you guys are gonna do at your wedding with the. The guns. This is really cool. Well, do we ever tell them this? No.

[Angela]

So I don't know. There might be obedience who get. I don't know.

[Ari]

No, it's guns with the money. Yeah.

[Angela]

Well, so at Albanian weddings, like, everybody, like, there's money all over the floor. Like, it's okay. I have to be honest. I haven't been to that many American weddings. But Amer, you. Did you guys see my story? I actually need to post that to my feed. Did you guys see my story when I went to a wedding with John and John walk down the aisle with another girl.

[Ari]

Oh, that was.

[Angela]

That's what Americans do. And it's fine. But Albanians would never. The. Their spouse is also in the bridal party and they're walking down the aisle together. Like, they don't play those games at all.

[Ari]

So they don't have bridesmaids and they do.

[Angela]

Yeah, but they have like 45 bridesmaids and 45. Because everybody's in. Cause they like. I don't know, it's like honor. It's like they're super, like honor culture. Like they don't leave people out and. Yeah. So at Albanian weddings, like, it's a party. I feel like American weddings can sometimes be a little like just whatever. Just like it's sweet, it's classy and reserved. And they wear like little like sundresses. It's beautiful. Like, it's really. Albanians wear gowns, full glam hair to like, to the heavens. Like, they're. It's huge. Like, they're big. Like Eastern European weddings are huge. They're like 500 people and you don't know who anybody is. And there's money all over the floor and they shoot guns in the air and it's just like, opa, opa. Like, it's fun. And John has no idea what's coming for him. One day I want to have a like super like half Albanian wedding. Like, I want him to come out and do wear the like. And he would do anything I asked him to do. I want him to wear like the Albanian old timey, like, outfits, the hat and the little outfit, and then go out and do like a little Ballet. The poor guy has no idea his

[Ari]

family is going to be like shooting. Gush. Shooting money out of guns. And then his family is so, like, they're so sweet. So sweet. Like, that is so. I feel like comes to tear the house down. I'm not missing one second of not documenting this wedding. That is all I have to say.

[Angela]

Oh, speaking of weddings.

[Ari]

Speaking of weddings, if and when. No, no, that's. That's negative. But I always, like, I don't know, like, I see these big weddings and I'm like, I don't even want to spend a lot of money. I want to have a party and I want good food and I want to have a ban. And I just want to party all night with my friends, listen to music, dance, go on someone's shoulders and just.

[Angela]

Yes. I have a feeling you're gonna have like a smaller one.

[Ari]

Well, I'm gonna have 13 bridesmaids.

[Angela]

You have 45 bridesmaids. But you, I feel like you'll want to. You've always wanted a smaller one, right?

[Ari]

Yeah. Just like people I love and just have fun.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

Because, boy, do I deserve it. Yes, you do. With this waiting season. Let's talk. Talk about it.

[Angela]

Yeah. So anyways, I love America.

[Ari]

God bless America.

[Angela]

All right, what are we doing today? Ah,

[Ari]

Say hi to our moms and dads.

[Angela]

Go ahead. No, you.

[Ari]

Hi, mom and dad. I love you guys so much. My mom always asks for a shout out.

[Angela]

Hi, Roberta. I love you. I am wearing my underwear today. I did lock the doors and I'm not talking to strangers. Your daughter probably is, but I'm not. She's gonna love that.

[Ari]

I love you, birdie.

[Angela]

Hi, mom. Si spircha. It's a boss sonde. What if I just started spiking up in here?

[Ari]

That's kinda hot. So many of us are in this waiting season. It's like this in between where you're just like, waiting, but you're also having faith. And you know it's good for you. Because the waiting season is nothing less than a blessing. But people try to make it feel like it's a curse. Yeah. And so you're just in this in between of being like, I trust you, Jesus, and I know you're doing something, but there's also this, like, longing ache in your heart that seems to sit sometimes. And so I know so many of us are going through it and we feel like time is running out and it's just really hard, but yet so just such a blessing. So I really wanted to talk about it. Because this is a season so many of us are in. And I just hope today that you can leave this episode feeling seen, feeling like I'm not alone, and feeling like what he's gonna bring me is far greater than what I can even imagine. And I just hope this episode really brings you some hope through my story. And I believe I'm going through this because I'm meant to sit here and share and not hide it. And I think a lot of the times I. I've shared so much about my heartbreak, and you guys have walked with me through it, and I've been very vulnerable, but I've also felt a lot of. I've also hid a lot of it because, I don't know. It's. It's. It's very vulnerable. It's been a little bit embarrassing at times, being in my 30s, and I'm like, no, I want to be strong. Like, I want to get through this. I want to, like, look at what God's doing in my life. But at the same time, like, I do hurt. And I think people need to hear that side, too. When I've just noticed lately, like, God's been putting it on my heart that you're in the season because you're meant to talk about it. You need to talk about it more. I have you in this. This place because I need you to share with these other people. And so I want to be more open. I was watching some old episodes and watching some of my old clips, and I used to be just. You know, when you're going through something and you can just bleed out, and then you become. You have a little bit of bitterness in your soul, and you have to get tough, and your body becomes. Your nervous system. Almost gets in survival mode of, like, I have to get through this. So I think I've been going through that a little bit and just feeling like I don't want to talk about it anymore, and people probably don't want to hear it, I'm like, no, we need to talk about it. I talk about this so much in the book, as I wrote in these devotions. I actually was in my healing process. And so that's what's so beautiful. When I was reading back on this, I can't believe how far I've come. And so it's like. Like, I'm like, no, we're gonna talk about this, because I know you guys feel like it's never gonna end. Like, I. Am I being punished? And your waiting season is the furthest thing from a punishment. Let Me tell you, I wrote in a couple devotions about Sing the Waiting Season, but one of them, the title is His Timeline, not mine. A couple of scriptures that I wrote, one of my favorites. And I hope you guys can even write this in your notes and just kind of speak them out loud when the thoughts come of, will it ever happen? What is going on, like these longing aches of grief that you feel. John 13, verse 7 says, you do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later. Romans 8:28 says, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Ecclesiastes 3, verse 1 says, There is a time for everything and a season for activity under the heavens. I can just read a little bit. We love to do things in our own timing. Eager for all the good things, we often try to jump ahead and do things our way. And if what we want doesn't happen, we get impatient with God. But God allows different seasons for a reason, and we might miss out on his plans if we try to skip any of them. Maybe your current wilderness season involves singleness. This isn't because God wants to withhold good things from you. He wants to build trust with you and to create an intimate relationship where he is first in your life. If you experience hard circumstances or challenges in your wilderness season, he wants you to come to him instead of running to other people, our comforts of the world. Because he loves you and he wants to build something in you. He is using this time to prepare you to step into whatever new season he has in store for your next.

[Angela]

Oh, it's so good.

[Ari]

And then I just like, I'll just read this little thing. I often heard how fun singleness could be, but no one prepared me for how much of a shock it would be for someone who was always used to being in a relationship. When I entered a season of singleness for the first time, let's just say it was the furthest thing from fun or easy.

[Angela]

So, gosh, can I just say,

[Ari]

I

[Angela]

just want to give you your flowers. Ari, for somebody who, like, has had an attack on your mind your whole life, and like Satan has always told you that you can't speak and you can't do this and you can't do that. You are such a phenomenal writer. Reading your words challenged me so deeply as we wrote this together. It is so beyond impressive, your gifting. You guys are. It's gonna blow your mind. And I'm telling you right now, this is not the only book Ari writes. Ari is going to write books her entire life. Because you are a natural born storyteller. You wear your heart on your sleeve. You're able to recount stories and express things and communicate in a way that, like, other people just can't. I can't. Some people have it and some people don't. The way that you write is so you guys are going to lose your mind at Ari's writing in this book. You're going to ball your eyes out. You are insane. You are so gifted for somebody who got bad grades in school. And Satan said you're not smart and they put you in the class and whatever. Look at who you are and look at what you're doing.

[Ari]

Thank you.

[Angela]

You deserve every bit of it. I swear on my life.

[Ari]

I know. I love you so much.

[Angela]

I love you so much.

[Ari]

Really didn't think. Thank you so much.

[Angela]

They're gonna lose their mind.

[Ari]

That really is so kind of you to say that. Thank you.

[Angela]

Love you.

[Ari]

Thank you. Yeah. Waiting, man. I mean.

[Angela]

All right, guys. There are days where I feel so connected, and then there are days where everything just feels loud and chaotic. And I know that I need to come back to God, but sometimes I just don't know where to start, or I think I need more time than I actually have. And that's why we love Glorify. It's a daily devotional app. And it's honestly just an easy way for you to stay grounded throughout the day because it doesn't ask for a lot. You can open it in the morning, read a short passage, go through a devotional, and just have a moment to realign before everything starts. Hearts. And then throughout the day, if things feel overwhelming, you can come back to it. And there are guided meditations, worship playlists, even something called Daily walk with God that just helps you slow down and refocus. The other day, the verse of the day was Philippians 4, and it felt so timely. Exactly what you would need to hear in a moment that is stressful. And at night, they have sleep meditations, which will be so good for those of us who just struggle to sleep or we struggle falling asleep. It's just a simple way to keep God at the center of your day without over complicating it. Whether you've been walking with God for a long time or you're just trying to figure things out, it meets you exactly where you are. Join the millions of Christians who have downloaded the Glorify app and deepen their relationship with God. Listeners to the show can get full access to glorify for just 29.99 for the entire year. That's Glorify's lowest price ever. When you download the Glorify app [e-mail] GGB feel closer to God this year with Glorify. Get full access all year for just 29.99 at glorify-app.com ggb that's glorify-app.com gGB.

[Ari]

I've been thinking about what we can actually leave behind. Not just memories, but structure the things that help the people we love when we're not there. Because if you have family, you don't want to leave them with questions. You want to leave them with clarity, with peace. But most of us put that off. It feels like a big thing to figure out. Or we tell ourselves that and we get to it later and then later just keeps moving. That's why I appreciate trust and will. It makes something that feels overwhelming actually simple. You can create a will in about 30 minutes, covering things like guardianship, asset distribution and healthcare decisions. And it's designed to grow with you. So as your life changes, your plan can change too. There's also something really meaningful about knowing you're not leaving your family with a burden. You're giving them space. Space to grieve, space to be together. And honestly, it's one of those things that feels heavy until you do it and then you're like, okay, I'm glad that's taken care of. Of protect your legacy and your loved ones today, tomorrow and beyond with trust and Will, the most trusted name in online estate planning. Go to trustandwill.com GGB and get 20% off. That's trustandwill.com GGB to get your 20% off. Trust and will.com GGB waiting seasons are.

[Angela]

They're brutal. They're so brutal. And your waiting season has been so hard. Can you just take us through, I think one part of your story that I love so much? I don't love it for you, but this idea that like your life was headed a direction and then everything got taken from you and you had to completely make a 180 and. And like you found yourself back to square one after everything was taken. And so can you just talk about what that was like to be in

[Ari]

your 30s and to have everything just completely stripped from you was, was. It was so jarring. And you get into your 30s because society makes you feel like, like that's it. Like if you haven't Already been married, or if you already haven't found your career, like, hang it up because it's done. And so I felt like my life was over. Like, I really. I. I felt like my time was up. And I remember feeling like, how will I ever move on? Like, how will I ever. Like, this was someone I loved so much. Like, how. Like, why is this happening? Like, I don't. I don't want. I. I just remember so many nights just being on my hands and knees and bargaining, being like, please, please don't take this away from me. Like, this is why. Like, you have no idea. I. I could be going through help, but knowing that I had someone that I found, that I loved so much, that I was gonna marry, like, it got me through everything. Like, you know, and so when that was gone, it was just. It was so unbearable, the grief. So when that happened, I. I'm. And I've shared this. When I first started the episode, going through days of, like, complete isolation, like, I've shared with you guys, I would go to this park every day and I would. Like, I was completely isolated. None of my friends lived in la. And I would be in this park and I would just be sitting there and, like, the grief, Like, I was, like, just. I was dying. Like, emotionally I was dying. And I'd just be sitting there and I'd be gutted, and I'd be like, what am I gonna do? Like, what. What. What am I gonna do? And so I'm sitting in this park through hell. I went through a hell that no one will ever be able to understand but me. And, God, I. I fought so hard to the point where I. I was like, I cannot fight anymore. Like, I was so sick emotionally, and I was so tired, and I just thought my time was up and I had no money, I had no career. The guy that I loved just completely left and never said anything again.

[Angela]

Then can you just tell them about what it was like? Because I feel like for people who start over, like, that's such a thing for people. Can you talk about how you go from, like, being in this, like, beautiful situation, a beautiful home, like, all this stuff, and then you find yourself in a studio apartment in Woodland Hills, like, you had barely any money to pay your rent, and you're just like. And you're looking for jobs.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Like before. And you're like, how did we go from this to this?

[Ari]

Thanks for asking about that. Yeah. I had my person and I was safe. Right. And then it's gone. It felt like it was just overnight. It was gone. So I have all these hopes and dreams, and I'm thinking I'm going to be having a home and planning my wedding and doing this life, starting my life. And then all of a sudden, one day, everything is gone. And I'm in this little studio apartment, and I'm sitting on my floor, and I'm looking up, and I'm like, like, what now? Like, like, what now? Like, how will I ever be okay again? Like, how? And I would. And I found this, like, therapist in Agora Hills. And I would go to her and. And she said she's never seen anyone in that much pain. And she would. My. This therapist would hold me, and she would just be like, I had no one at this time. And she would, like, hold me in her arms, and I would be like, is it ever gonna go away? And it was just so. It was so dark this time of my life. And I would sit in that park, and I would look up, and I would just be like, this isn't real. Like, this isn't real. Like, it's. It's. He's like, it's gonna work out again. And just, like, trying to figure out what I'm gonna do with my life, because I had these hopes and dreams, and it was all gone. It was just gone. And I didn't know what to do with my life. I didn't feel adequate. I didn't feel worthy. I remember at the time, I was going to. I told you this, but I was going to, like, elderly homes. Like, I always had this longing to people, and I was trying to get jobs at elderly homes, and I tried to start an organization to help kids, and just everything was falling through. Nothing was happening. I was on ZipRecruiter, trying to find jobs, and no one would hire me. Like, it was crazy. It was like, I literally relate to Job so much because, like Job says, the very thing I fear happened to me and the very thing that I fear had happened to me. And I'm just sitting in my 30s alone in this small, dark apartment, and I was so. I was. I was done. I was done. And little did I know that it was God's greatest gift to me. God's greatest gift to me. I think about the decisions that I could have made and that I almost made because I was so tired and because I was so sick, and I feel so much for people because you're so tired and the grief takes over you so much. That's how much pain I was in. Like, I was so tired and, you know, how tired I was. And so I feel for so many people because I know that feeling of grief and pain. And it's not just because of a heartbreak. It's more than that. It's like you just feel so defeated. Life can get so hard and it can eat you alive if you let it. It really can. And so I think about how it almost did take me out. And so this is why I talk about this today, because I hope that I can be an example for you guys. Because I could have went that way, right? I could have just sat and complained and sat in that little studio. I could have sat in the dark and cried. And years could have went by. And I know many people that that happens to. Or I could have went the other way. Thank God I didn't. I remember before I met Jesus, I tried everything else. He was my last resort. I called psychics. I had the lucky rock. I was listening to books on manifesting. I tried everything. I could have sat and wallowed in pity and just been in depression for years. But I thank God that I fought. So when I found Jesus in that church that day. I talk about this a lot, but it was that little bit of hope and safety that I found for the first time in my life. And I held onto that. And I hope you guys can, too. And I just remember, like, the greatest gift that he did for me. He. He let me suffer, and he didn't heal me overnight. And he kept me in the waiting. And I could have, like I always have, my whole life because I've. I've never been alone. I could have put a band aid over the wound, and I could have went to somebody else, and I didn't. And he kept me just with him. And that's how it all started for me. And I would just sit in this church all day, and I would just talk to him and, like, through my suffering, that's what produced my relationship with him and the dependency. And that's when I knew that. That's how I knew Jesus was real. At the end of Job. At the end of Job, he says, I've heard about you my whole life, but now I see you with my own eyes. Okay, you know what I've realized? There are certain bills we just don't question, we just keep paying them. Like your phone bill, you look at it every month, like, okay, I guess that's what it costs to exist now. That was me. I wasn't even comparing anymore. I just accepted it. And then I found Mint Mobile, and I had a small amount of wait, why have I been doing this to myself? Because you're getting the same thing. Unlimited talk tax data. But you're not paying what you think you have to pay, which apparently was a lot more than necessary. Switching is simple. You keep your phone, your number. You can activate it in minutes. No contracts, no long process where you regret your life choices halfway through. And right now they're offering 50% off three, six or 12 month plans. It's actually a really easy time to try it. If I needed this, it's what I'd use. At the very least, it might be worth asking yourself why you're still paying what you're paying. Ready to stop paying more than you have to? New customers can make the switch today and for a limited time, get unlimited limited premium wireless for just $15 per month. Switch [e-mail] GGB that's mintmobile.com GGB upfront payment of $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan required $15 a month equivalent taxes and fees Extra initial plan term only over 50 gigabytes may slow when network is busy. Capable device required. Availability, speed and coverage varies. Additional terms apply. See mintmobile.com.

[Angela]

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[Ari]

it was through my suffering that I really got to see Jesus with my own two eyes through the days of being in such grief and crying out and it was just me and him and so we can go two ways we can we can sit in the depression or we can fight and I can't quite believe the woman that I am and it was only because of this waiting season and I held onto that vision that you always told me about the me that when you saw me and I'LL never forget it. You saw me in my worst when I was so depressed. And that vision of you that you saw me of me in that white dress, and I'm glowing and I'm happy and I'm strong, and I held onto that vision. And I'm that woman now.

[Angela]

Yeah, you are.

[Ari]

And that is only because of my waiting season. And this waiting season, man, it has been so insane. But I've gotten really comfortable with being uncomfortable.

[Angela]

Yeah, you have.

[Ari]

And I can wake up in peace. And I love myself and I'm comfortable with myself. And I can't quite believe. Like, I can't believe that I'm. I'm in this place. I never thought I would ever be comfortable with myself. I was never comfortable with myself. I. I couldn't even be with friends, with obsessing about somebody else. I always needed something or someone to fill that void. And that's why I. I never had peace in my mind because I was always trying to fill the void with somebody else. And so if God took a girl at 32 and changed my life in 8 months of complete surrender and dependency, he can take every single one of you guys that is listening right now, that is going through this grueling waiting season because I'm not better than you. And he doesn't favor anyone above the other. He all. He loves us just the same. But what I know about the waiting season is I could have lengthened my season so much and I could have stayed stuck. But look at what God had for me. Look at what God. Look at my life, you guys. Look at what he did in my life. Because I didn't stay stuck. I didn't give in. I fought with him. I surrendered to him. I loved him. I had a heart for him and a hunger for him. And that was only because I was alone. That was only because I learned what true love is like. My heart needed love. It needed safety, it needed peace, and it needed hope. Hope. And I always thought that was found in somebody else.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

But I realized that that's only found in Jesus. And then when you find it in Jesus, he will bring you someone that brings you love and brings you hope. But if you're only searching, if you only are searching for that in somebody else, you will always come up feeling empty. There's so much I can say about the waiting season. Nothing is wasted. He does not waste anything. If he would have. I remember even going back to my career being like, I want this so bad. I want to help people. I want my. If he would have brought me anything, even a, like, couple months earlier, I would not have been ready for it. So everything he was doing, I struggled for years and years and years. But he did not waste anything I went through, even going back to my career. I think about all the classes I took, all this training I did it. It prepared me to be on film. It prepared me to speak. It prepared me for everything. So nothing is wasted. He uses everything. Every single moment of pain. He used every day that you feel like is being wasted. It's not everything. Even if, like, you have a field career, it's not. He knows the desires in your heart. I had such a desire to act, but he used all of the things that I like. He used it. He used it. He used it for us. Your waiting season is connected to so much more than just you. I learned that so much in the shows. I can't tell you how many of you guys have come up to me and said, I am in this waiting season, but I am able to do it because I don't feel alone because of your story. Understand that your waiting season is connected to. You're a seed to somebody else. You're a seed of faith to somebody else. I have been able to be a seat of faith for everybody that is single right now. Listen to me when I tell you this, that you're. You're waiting season. And I know so many people say this, but your waiting season truly is preparation. It is preparation. I. I look at this woman that I am today. It was only done in the waiting season. For someone that was always in relationships. I had to be in the season of just with Jesus. I had to face myself. I had to learn to wake. I. Can I give you an example? I had to learn how to wake up and feel content with myself. And then, like, my preparation, too, like, I've gotten to. I. I can't believe what I've gotten to accomplish. Being on my own with just Jesus. I can't imagine if I would have had someone during this time of my new faith of learning. I've gotten to spend my Friday night like, it's insane. Like, I'll give you an example. It was Memorial Day weekend. It was a Friday. I was having such a hard time. All my friends were with their partners. They were on vacations. They were doing all these things. And it was. I was just so excited because I finally had time off and it was Memorial Day, and I, like, I wanted to. I wanted to have fun. I wanted to be with my friends. And everybody was gone. Gone. And so it was Friday and I'm sitting there and I'm like, okay. Like I guess I'm just alone again. Like, I'm just. I guess I'm just gonna. Whatever. And so I had a moment of grief of just being like God, why? Like I love celebrating everybody else, but this is really hard. It's been really hard. You know, I'm in my 30s. I'm. I'm watching everybody have these beautiful relationships and I'm here on a, on a holiday weekend and I'm just. This is so hard. So I had a moment of grief and then I picked myself up and I said, no, I will not allow myself. I let myself have that moment. I called a girlfriend who lives out of state and we started reading the Bible together. Four hours go by. It was probably the best Friday night of my, like one of the best Friday nights I've ever had. We're talking about Jesus, we're reading the Bible, we're laughing and, and I look up and I go. She goes, see, if we were in relationships, we'd never be able to do this.

[Angela]

That's so true.

[Ari]

And so I have gotten to have the most amazing nights where everybody was out with boyfriends and I've gotten to know Jesus. I've got to be with Jesus. I've got to understand his love. I would have never understand his love, love if he didn't put me just with him. Cuz I would have said, I'm getting my love from this person. And so I've gotten to seriously, like, that's why I talk about the love of God. Because I have been in moments of such deep grief. He's gotten me through each of the. Like he is. He has poured his love, he has been with me through everything. And so I'm not saying that it's going to be easy. See, it's been like, it's like this, right? That Sunday I. I went with my, my best friend. And I'm sitting there and I'm at the same spot where I was. I was just trying to survive the hour. Like I didn't even know how to get through the hour of grief. This was two years ago. I'm sitting in the same spot and I'm sitting on the grass and this band is playing this beautiful music. And I'm looking at the band and every single lyric is just going through my veins and I'm just like, the sun is shining down on my face and I'm looking up and then I'm looking at my best friend who I would have never met if I didn't go through my heartbreak. And she puts her head on my shoulder and I'm just in complete peace. And I'm in that same spot where I was just trying to survive the hour. And I look up at God and I'm like. Like, this is what it feels like. This is what it feels like to be safe with you. This is it. Like, this is what you. This is what you've done. This is why you've had me wait so long. So I had that moment of just being like. It all makes sense. But then I have moments of feeling grief and I know that that's okay too. Yeah. But we just can't sit in it, can I.

[Angela]

Can I tell you one more thing that you would have never discovered had you. There's obviously a massive call of God on your life in regards to helping people. And I think you've spent your whole life focused on. Cuz you're so giving and you're so nurturing. And it was always like, in your relationship, like, it was like the one. Like one person got that. And you being single the last two years has. You would have never discovered your gift. Gift of helping people. I know you wanted to help people, but you've like, actually, like, it's coming to fruition. Your gift of encouragement, your gift of healing, your gift of being there for people. You pour into people in a way that you just wouldn't if you were not single.

[Ari]

No.

[Angela]

And when you do get in a relationship and you do get married and you have your own children, you won't ever be able to pour into people like you do now.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

You guys don't understand who Ari is to people like you will. That's what's come out of the past two years is you know who you are. You know you're gifting now.

[Ari]

Yeah, I wouldn't have. I wouldn't have because I didn't love myself. I didn't love myself. So you. When you. When you're not comfortable with yourself, you can't. You can't love people. Right. And so I just. I look back at myself and I'm like, I. I'm not a damsel in distress anymore. And that's what Jesus wanted to show me. You are not a kid, damsel in distress. Your life is not in the hands of another person and it's not in the hands of a career. And that's not what's going to fill you. It's in the hands of me. And he's like, you are not A damsel in distress. You are strong, you are smart, you are worthy. You are lovable. You are not all these things that you always thought you were. But in order to understand that, you need to understand me. And the only way to understand me is to come into a season where it's just you and I. And so now I can sit with my shoulders back. And that's why I'm able to look straight and I'm able to have confidence. It's because I know I'm able to be with myself now. And that's only because of the waiting season. Like the. What he produces in your waiting season is something you will never be able to do with another person or on your own. And when you are in this waiting season. And I just want to say this, like, I can't even imagine if I would have wasted this waiting season of going back to somebody else, of putting a band aid on and just like, I can't even imagine. I would never be here right now. I would never be as strong as I am. I would never be able to help people the way I do. And so the waiting season is it really like people, really, society puts this pressure on people, especially women in their 30s. It's a curse. And what I want you to tell you guys is everybody has their own path. My path was to learn it later in life. Angela went through that with the your photo. Tell them.

[Angela]

Yeah, I went through. It's just so interesting, you know, God has such a beautiful, intentional, specific plan for every single one of us that is not restricted to, like, societal constructs. Like, my life is different than AR's life and it's different than your life, and we're all on a different journey. And so much shame comes from us thinking that we look to other people and we think we need to be like them and we think we should be where they are. And like, maybe Ari would look at me in a relationship and think she should be there. But then I look at someone who's already engaged and think that I should be there, and they look at someone who got engaged sooner than they did. So we're all like, but that's what society does to us. And the church, I feel like, does that to us a lot. I posted a photo recently of John and I, and I said that we, like, celebrated our one year anniversary of dating, obviously. And. And I got hundreds of comments and then hundreds, what felt like, maybe less of messages of people literally being like, if he really liked you, he would have proposed already. Like, it's.

[Ari]

I had and to these people that call themselves Christians. Yeah.

[Angela]

And there was even a. A man from a page that I follow and really respect like a Christian like educational page who was like it's been a year and he hasn't proposed question mark like commented on the photo which was like so embarrassing it me so in my head I got so triggered and he just talked me through it and he's like well first of all we've been dating long distance our entire relationship up until a month ago. I'm on tour. My our. Our dating does just doesn't look like other people's in the church who get married in seven months with which is great for them. That's just not our story. So anyways the church puts so much pressure especially on women and it's always like us. It's never the man. And you know, it's always like oh what did the. It's almost like they make us feel like damaged goods. If somebody hasn't already like chosen us and picked us and proposed to us and married us and it's like where the problem, you know?

[Ari]

Yeah. And yeah, I'm. It's crazy. Everybody has a different path. Okay guys, have you ever been in a relationship and you kept having unwanted doubts like do I love them enough? Am I really happy? What if God has someone better for me? And those questions felt impossible to ignore. And suddenly you're repeatedly praying for certain things or signs, constantly comparing your relationship to others, asking friends what they think over and over. But you can't find peace no matter what you try. Unwanted relationship doubts can feel so real and scary. But here's what's important to know. Thoughts like these can be a sign of relationship ocd. Unlike the stereotypes about being organized, real OCD is a serious condition that can latch onto anything we care about. Relationship OCD create creates this never ending loop of doubt and anxiety followed by behaviors. You do try to feel better, but the relief never lasts. But OCD doesn't have to take over your relationships because it's highly treatable with a type of specialized therapy called Exposure and Response prevention or erp. And that's why I want to tell you about nocd. NOCD is the world's leading OCD treatment provider and all of their licensed Therapists specialize in ERP therapy with no CD, is 100% virtual, covered by insurance for over 138 million Americans and includes support between sessions. Their therapists are extensively trained, deeply understanding and ready to help you reclaim your relationships. If any of this sounds like you or Someone you care about. Visit nocd.com and book a free 15 minute call to learn more about how no CD can help. That's nocd.com I feel like at my age, right now in my 30s, I finally know who I am. He had to prepare me. He's been preparing me. And I'm so glad that I've been able to do it by myself with just with Jesus. Like I don't. I feel like right now with men like me and my girlfriend were talking about this but men are tired because the like us as women, we unpack it with the men and we're not supposed to do that. You do a really good job at not doing that. You really. You go to Jesus like you're you. I've learned so much from you in your relationship because you. You're really good at that.

[Angela]

Thanks are.

[Ari]

But yeah, I. We're supposed to unpack all this with Jesus, you know. So that's what the waiting season is for. It's like prepare yourself, don't. It's he heal. It's okay to grieve. It's so like one of the most special things about my waiting season is I got to grieve with Jesus. Like it's the dependency. Like the, the heart, the heartbreak, the grieving. It's all dependency. And that's what created my relationship. I didn't hide anything from Jesus. I didn't want to bring that into. To another relationship. I wanted to face myself. I wanted to be able to wake up and. And love myself. I wanted to be able to. To feel peace. I want somebody to add to me. I don't want to need something.

[Angela]

Exactly.

[Ari]

My whole life I needed something. I don't. When you are in the place of needing that like you need it. That's what an idol is. I've always had. I like I. I made an idol out of that thing that I had. And when you have an idol, where's God's place in your life? Life? Because whatever you're thinking about, whatever has your attention the most is what is. Is your God. And so that's why I was. I was so dry. Like that's why I was always coming up empty. And so yes, you will. The I. I grieve. I really do. I have moments, you know, I'm at all these weddings. I look around. I have. I'm like by myself at these way. It's like crazy what he's done, you know, because I never understood. I never understood people that were in their waiting season. I'm so blessed that I now I will. Whatever friend comes in my life that is in a waiting season, I will have so much compassion for. I will literally be. I, I can understand now. And that's such a gift. When you can understand others. It's the biggest gift. I'm so proud of myself because I could easily go to someone else. I could easily just put that band and I didn't.

[Angela]

You were saying how, like, you have to wake up content because you want someone to add to your life. And like, you can't put all your problems basically on. And like, we know this, that a relationship doesn't fix your problems. And I can tell you firsthand that it doesn't fix your problems. I have severe abandonment issues. And marrying John will not heal my abandonment issues. I will still, still have them. Jesus has to heal my abandonment issues.

[Ari]

Yeah.

[Angela]

You know, and like. Yeah, it just, I know that. I know it's not. He's not going to heal it. Getting married to John isn't going to heal my insecurities. I might feel safe. Of course you're in a covenant relationship. Of course it brings safety. But anybody, like, we can't, we know deep down, deep, deep, deep in our innermost being, like, we know that we can't fully a hundred thousand percent depend on another human. They can leave at any point. And just being married, even if, you know, they. It just doesn't heal those parts of you. Jesus has to heal that.

[Ari]

He has to. Or you'll always come up empty.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Ari]

One of the things in the waiting that can be so hard is you are doing so good and all these things, and then you start to almost covet other relationships. You start to, it's okay to look at other relationships and be like, oh my gosh, that's so beautiful. But when you start to covet them, when you start to obsess, when you start to wish you had what they have, that all starts on you. You go on social media, you. So you start to covet other people's relationship, comparing. Then, then, then all of a sudden the grief comes. And then you go down this rabbit hole. And then you start feeling so sick. And then you just feel like you've been set apart. Like you've. God has forgotten about you. Like, you, yeah, you just, you can go down that hole. And so I have done that. This happened to me recently where I started to compare and I started to think has got to have forgotten about me. And then my mind starts spinning and then I'm in a hole of grief. And then I have bitterness because grief turns into bitterness. And then I'm starting to feel sick. And then two days go by and I'm. I'm just, I feel. I'm like a rack. And so, and then I'm not even going to Jesus. I'm not even talking to Him. And so this happened to me recently and I just want to tell you guys, you, we h. Like we have to constantly be fighting against our flesh. Yeah. Because the flesh is so weak and it's so easy to walk in our flesh and start comparing and start going down the rabbit hole in social media and start thinking, oh, well, has God forgotten about me? Is my time up? Will my person ever come? It's so hard to date now, you know, and so it's so easy to do that. And so just constantly being filled up by his word, constantly going to him the minute. So two days went by where I was comparing, I was being bitter, I was. Had negative self talk. I started to think, it's never going to happen for me. I found myself saying that on the phone. It's never going to happen. I'm never going to meet the person that I want. And I was so sick emotionally. Then I go home and I start, and I, and I start fighting. I start fighting in the spirit. I start getting filled up by the Word. I start going to bat in prayer. I'm like, jesus, help me right now. Help me. I don't feel good. I'm bitter. I feel like it's never going to come. Like, help me right now. All of a sudden it was like water. That's what he means. Like he fills you. And I'm like, that's all I needed. All I needed was to just come down on my hands and knees, read your word and call out to you. And then you fill me. And so, yeah, we have to constantly be filled and walking in the spirit because when we walk in the Spirit, he sustains us in the season. You know, we always question things sometimes when things haven't happened to us that we want. And I, I was having a morning where I was just like, oh God, why? Like, why did this happen? Why? You know, why did I have to wait? And I opened my Bible. This was, this is a morning I will never forget. I opened to Isaiah 30, verse 18. I literally looked down at my Bible.

[Angela]

Isaiah is the best book of the Bible.

[Ari]

Is that your favorite?

[Angela]

It's my favorite.

[Ari]

Really? And I read. So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. How many Times has Jesus tried to come after us, but we just keep turning the other way. So he's not going to force anything on you. He was not going to force me in my journey to come to him, but when I finally hit the bottom, I came to him, and that's when he showed me his love and compassion. He's faithful. Blessed are those who wait for his help. The waiting season is about waiting for his help. He's not a magician. He's not a genie. He's not. All of a sudden, he's so intentional about the time, about the preparation, about not having you and any distractions, about growing you and building you and pruning you. And his time is so much better than our time. And so if we could just write that down in our notes and say every time we have these moments, because it's normal in the human experience to feel like I'm tired, but to say, your time is so much better than my time, I'm gonna wait for you. Because, you know, my Jesus knows better than I do. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He surely will respond to the sound of your cries. He's so gracious when you reach out and say, help me. He's so kind. He hears every single. He sees every single one of your tears, and none of it goes wasted. And he's so pleased when you go to him and you cry out to him. He's like, that's my daughter. That's my son. You have no idea what I'm going to do through this pain and all the cries and all the nights of grief that you've been going through. Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering, for drink, he will be with you to teach you. It's only through the adversity that you go through and the suffering that you endure that he teaches you. That's where you are taught your most valuable lessons. That's where you. That's where you grow the most. That's where you become the person that you would never, never be if you did not go through the suffering, the waiting, and the adversity, your own ears will hear him. And right behind you, a voice will say, this is the way you should go. When you go into relationship with Jesus in the waiting season, when it's just you and him, you can hear him so clearly, you can see him with your own two eyes. And then you won't have to figure out, do I need to go to this person? Do I do this? Which way do I go? You Hear him. That's the most special part about the waiting season is you hear him, you see him, and then you don't have to go by your own strength. You just follow him. He shows you where to go. He shows you what to do. Then you will destroy all of your silver idols and your precious gold images. You will throw them away like filthy rags, saying to them, good riddance.

[Angela]

Good riddance.

[Ari]

The very thing that you think you want are. You lost that person. You look and you say, but I love them so much. This was my person. This is I, I. And then. And there's nothing wrong with that. I can't tell you how many days I said I had to to say, I know you took this person away from my good. But I need to understand. I loved them. And that's okay. Love is such a beautiful thing. And what a powerful, amazing thing that you loved so much that you hurt as much as you do and you grieve as much as you do. That just shows how much in the capacity that you have to love and how good of a wife or a husband you'll be someday. But man, when God shows you his love, love and who he is and how he doesn't just get up and walk away and leave you, how he heals you, how he sits with you in grief, how he will never walk away from you and abandon you, how he literally will take your broken pieces and he will begin to restore you and patch you up and he will set you up on in his right hand. He will launch you, you out into something that your mind will be blown. You will no longer have these things pulling you down, these idols and these things that you've put on such a pedestal because you know that will never fulfill you. Only he does. And then whatever he brings to you when you seek him, it will be added. It won't be this thing where you have constant anxiety over. You will always already be filled. So whoever comes to you, it's just going to be an added thing and it's going to be beautiful. And then the Lord will bless you with rain. At planting time, there will be a hunt. There will be wonderful harvest. At planting time is the key time, specific time. Planting time. But right now he's. He's. He's planting your harvest and he's building you and he's doing something. He's keeping you in this waiting where there's no distraction. Distractions, where it's just you and him. And later on you will thank him for every tear, for every day that you were Alone for every moment where you were like, why? Why, why? Why did you take this? Why has. Because you will look back and say, this is why. And you will have your shoulders back and your chin up. And you will look in the mirror and you will say, thank you, Jesus, for my waiting season. Because with. I would not be this person. But do not waste it. Do not. It's okay to grieve. It's okay to hurt. It's okay to cry to him, but please do not waste it. Fight for friendships. This is a time to do things that you would never typically do. To be with friends, to meet new people. To go places that you would never typically go. To be with family. Yeah. Yeah. This is your time to do things that you wouldn't typically do.

[Angela]

This is the definition of someone preaching something they've lived.

[Ari]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Angela]

If only. Everyone who gets on a stage with a mic and opens their mouth to preach something has lived it. The way you live what you preach. It's authentic. It's real. You're insane. I love you. I'm so like.

[Ari]

And I never have my best friend.

[Angela]

Dude, thank God that guy's out of here.

[Ari]

Thank God. Bye. She's mine. I want you guys to write this scripture down. And every time you start to feel this feeling, I want you to say it. I've been. This is a script. This is a scripture that I am repeating out loud to myself constantly throughout the day. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined. The plans that God has for those who love Him. Focus on loving him, focus on knowing him, and focus on being in relationship with Him. That's your only job. What a beautiful thing. And the plans he has for you at the end of whatever season he. Whatever waiting season he has, it is going to blow your mind. And you are going to thank him for keeping you in this holding season. So hold on. If you're in a waiting season, this is what God might be doing. He's strengthening your patience. He's protecting you from what you can't see. He's preparing a bigger blessing than what you asked for. He's working on someone else's heart before they step into your story. He's removing the people and things that could not go with where God is taking you. He's making sure your faith is in him, not just in the outcome you want. He's closed the doors that you begged for for him to bring you back. Because he sees the hurt that they would have caused you. He's making you wait. Because what he has for you isn't ready. Or maybe you aren't just quite yet. And the last thing is, he's making sure that your heart is healed before he gives you what you're praying for. So I would love you guys to write all these things down. We love you. We hope that you feel less alone today. And just know that you have a sister who's waiting with you. You're not alone. You're not inadequate. You're not being pushed to the side. He's right on time. He's not never late, so don't panic. Just rest in him.

[Angela]

Thank you, Jesus. We love you guys so much. We love you. We love you. We love you. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he turn his face towards you and give you peace. Shalom.

[Ari]

Shalom.