What Are You Waiting For?
By Janet Byrne
“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Psalm 5:3
One of the first questions we women tend to ask when we find out a friend is pregnant is “When are you due?” The miracle of birth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes months for a baby to develop inside her mother’s womb and to be born. Why is that? Why doesn’t God allow us to be pregnant for just a day? He could, He is God. But, He doesn’t. He chooses to have us wait. So, we wait.
There are many references in Scripture to people having to wait. Noah had to wait for the flood waters to recede. Abraham and Sarah had to wait before the birth of Isaac. Job had to wait for his trials to be over and his deliverance to come. And we see Jesus Himself waiting…for the right time to start His ministry, for His sacrifice on the Cross and for us to ask Him into our hearts.
God’s timing is perfect. He sometimes wants us to wait so that He can grow us. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance…so that you may be mature and complete…” Waiting tests our faith. Waiting helps us grow in maturity. But, waiting can also hurt. It can sometimes seem unbearable. However, Isaiah 30:18 says, “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” There is a blessing in the waiting! And there is blessing in waiting for HIS answers, not ours.
So, what are you waiting for today? Are you waiting for the depression to lift or anxiety to pass? Are you waiting for your marriage to change? For your financial situation to improve? Are you waiting for some kind of healing in your life? Whatever it is, we are all waiting for something.
Whether you are heading into the waiting room, are already there or are leaving the waiting room, take heart! Blessed are all who wait…
GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of a time in your life when you have had to wait for something. When you look back, are you able to see the blessings that came out of the waiting?
2. Do you know someone who is in the “waiting room” right now? How can you encourage her today?
FURTHER READING:
Lamentations 3:24; James 5:7; Micah 7:7
Janet is the Women’s Ministries Prayer Coordinator, and balances her time caring for her husband Yancy and their two sons, as well as serving on the Moms Nurturing Moms leadership team.
