Waiting. One of the most dreaded words in our vocabulary. We’re not usually patient people. We drive fast, pop meals into microwaves, and swing through restaurant fast food lanes. If we need it, we can usually obtain it quickly. It seems like our gears are set to Mach speed and life is a blur.
But sometimes circumstances require us to wait. Staring in frustration at the light that won’t turn green while running late for work. Anxiously listening for the phone to ring with results of a medical test. Hurriedly hovering in the grocery line searching for the next open check-out register. Restlessly watching the door for your children to arrive home from a weekend with Dad.
Exhibiting patience is difficult. We want it now! And we’re not good at progressing step by step. We’d love to jump from step 1 to step 10, check it off our list, and move on to the next thing.
Have you ever had to make your children wait for something? Oh, the agony in their little bodies and minds. How did they react? What was your response to their behavior? Even if it’s for their own good it’s difficult for them.
Waiting is not always negative. My dad describes pacing in the waiting room while his daughters were born, trusting all would turn out okay. Good was coming, but he had to wait with anticipation. Children making wish lists think December is the longest month of the year, but Christmas morning makes them forget about the wait.
The common denominator in all these situations is that we don’t have control over the situation or the outcome. The word that accompanies wait is trust.
• Abraham had to wait and trust in God’s promises as he traveled to a new land.
• The bleeding woman waited years for healing until she touched Jesus.
• David had to wait to ascend the throne after he had been anointed because he was being built into the man after God’s own heart.
• Jesus himself had to wait until the time was right to begin his ministry.
Waiting on God is a faith-building experience that can lead to deeper understanding. When we hand over control, we learn to trust. We often take time to re-examine our desires or reasons for wanting a certain outcome. Waiting involves timing and accepting that you can’t make it happen. It requires confidence in God who cares more for you than you can imagine.
While we wait, what can we do?
1. Trust God’s timing, provision, and goodness.
2. Pray.
3. Release the need to control the circumstance.
4. Focus on things you can control such as your words, thoughts, actions.
5. Concentrate on other areas of your life where you can dream, work, and plan.
When you find yourself in a waiting season, relax, take a breath, and settle in for the duration.
