“Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No, or waiting for their hair to grow.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Recently I’ve spent more time than usual in “Waiting Rooms”, and I have to admit “I Hate to Wait!”. What I find baffling is, after I’ve been stuck in a waiting room doing absolutely nothing, I’m exhausted!? The same is true when I’m experiencing a season of waiting on the Lord’s direction, answer to a prayer, removal or resolve of a painful situation. I can’t stand to just “wait”, and it literally wears me out! Why? I believe when we are required to do something that is not not by nature “easy”, “natural”, or “in our sweet spot” . . . It’s Exhausting! We are wired for work: Ephesians 2:10  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it, which makes waiting much harder than doing! So, why if we are wired to Work or Do, are we told 89 times in the Bible to “Wait upon the Lord”? Here are just a few of the reasons I’ve experienced so far: Accomplishment has become my worth, rather than Jesus’ Righteousness., It feeds my ego to take credit for something I work to create, rather than give God ALL the credit., I run ahead of the Lord, and His perfect timing, because I want what I want when I want it, rather than waiting for His perfect time., I believe I can better control the outcome for my good, than to trust God’s outcome is always the best., etc. And, I’m sure if I slowed down long enough, the Holy Spirit would bring to light a whole list of other reasons I need to embrace the wait!

In EVERY situation that I am called (okay, sometimes “forced”) to wait, it means I AM NOT READY FOR WHAT GOD HAS NEXT FOR ME! The preparation happens in the waiting. What seems unfair at the moment, is truly a Loving Father protecting His child from harm (to themselves, and to others). Think about it this way: You have two children, one is 10, and the other is 17. The 17 year old studied the Driver’s Manual, passed the written test, and gotten her permit. She spent months practicing her driving skills under your supervision. She passed the driver’s test 6 months ago, and has proved to be a confident, and conscientious driver. Now, you purchase the 17 year old a car of their own, but the 10 year old cries “That’s not fair!”. The 10 year old wants a car, and assures you she can drive too. Are you being unfair when you tell the 10 year old she must wait? You may think this is a ridiculous analogy, but it really isn’t any different when we ask or pray for something that our Heavenly Father knows we are not ready to handle YET! After all, even what should be considered a Blessing will be a Burden if we are not prepared to handle it. I’ve learned that God’s delay is not His denial, and “Not now.” doesn’t mean never. I saw a sign recently that said “Joseph waited 13 years, Abraham waited 25 years, Moses waited 40 years, and Jesus waited 30 years. If God is making you wait, you’re in good company.”

So how do we wait well? Not that I have mastered, or even enjoy waiting, but I have found Purpose while I wait! Here are some of the things that help me to wait with hope, and anticipation.

W – WATCH what God is doing around me. It is so easy to check off the boxes of my endless “Be a Good Disciple Check-list”, and miss His purpose. When I’m focused on what I think I need to be doing I tend to miss seeing who God has placed around me that is hurting, what burdens Him that should burden me, or how He is providing in unexpected ways. In order to truly SEE a situation it requires removing yourself from the middle of trying to “fix” it. Psalm 27:13-14 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

A – ASK “What do you want me to learn for Your Glory in this situation Lord?”, rather than “Why is this happening to me, or why are You not answering my prayer Lord?” Asking “What” is a humble posturing before the Lord, rather than an arrogant, entitled demand of “Why”. I love what C.S. Lewis says “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?” It doesn’t make sense to ask God to do something different in my life, when I am unwilling to make any changes. It is only through the humility of Christ crucified we are able to say as Job did when everything was stripped away “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” ~ Job 13:15

I – IMMERSE yourself in God’s Truth, and in His presence. Have you ever talked with someone that asked you a question, and then didn’t wait for the answer? They were clearly more interested in what they had to say than hearing what you had to say. How frustrating! You quickly learn to quit answering their questions, because they are not interested in your answers, only their own voice. Yet, isn’t that what we do so many times to the Lord? I throw up a grocery list of prayer requests as I run asking Him to go with me and bless me, rather than waiting for His clear direction so I can follow Him. Isn’t it amazing how we call ourselves “Christ Followers” when in reality we always want to lead! After my husband died, I never felt so close to the Lord! I could Feel His comfort (Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted), I experienced His provision (Psalm 68:5 protector of widows is God in his holy habitation), and was confident He heard my cries and protected me (Exodus 22:22-24 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn…). Now, I’m not saying you have to be a widow, or go through a tragic loss in order to hear God, but getting rid of the daily distractions, coming to the end of your self-sufficiency, and truly immersing yourself in His Holy Presence out of a humble heart readies your spirit to hear what the God of the Universe has to say as you take audience with Him!

T – TRUST in His character, and rest. I remember going to a Fourth of July picnic with my kids, and my grandkids. The youngest was about 1 at the time. The loud sounds of the fireworks, and cheering crowd frightened her, and she began to cry. Then, her father picked her up, held her close, spoke gently to her, and walked even closer to the fireworks. Though at first she was scared, as long as she was resting safely in her father’s arms she was able to enjoy what she would have missed due to her fear. David cried out to the Lord in distress many times in the Psalms. Though he would start off in distress, he would end up rejoicing, and giving praise. Why? Had his situation changed for the better that fast? No! However, David learned how to encourage himself in the Lord. You make your petitions known to Him, then you rehearse His Promises, and remember His faithfulness to you time and time again. Before you know it, your petitions will turn into praise as you trust in His unfailing love, and you find rest for your weary soul. Then, you will be able to enjoy the waiting process knowing, your Heavenly Father is incapable of giving you anything except the very best! Philippians 4:⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Heavenly Father, You know how impatient I get in waiting even though I know it is for my good, and Your Glory! Thanks for being such a faithful, and loving Father even when I am unfaithful, and doubt Your love. Help me to embrace the wait knowing You are preparing me for Your plans, and purpose. Let my voice, my faith, and my life be a testimony of Your faithfulness, and an encouragement to those who find themselves in the “Waiting Room” of faith!

Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work. – Peter Marshall