I read the poster, then checked my watch—again. It was time to notify.
“Excuse me, but my appointment with Dr. D. was at 10:30 and it is now 11:15.” I spoke in even tones that belied my frustration.
The receptionist referred to the schedule on her computer. “Thank you,” she responded pleasantly. “I’ll check to see what the problem is.”
Returning to my seat, I expected to be called shortly, but it still took ten to fifteen minutes. Another annoyance: no one ever explained the delay or apologized.
No doubt you’ve endured similar experiences. Waiting nearly always creates nuisance no matter how many magazines they provide. Who hasn’t been stuck in the waiting areas of car repair shops, office buildings, and airports—when we’ve places to go and things to do?
But those aren’t the only forced pauses we face. At one time or another all of us spend time in the waiting room of life—as we anticipate achieving a long-term goal, receiving that long-awaited email or phone call, or seeing an ongoing prayer finally answered.
How are we supposed to handle the interminable pauses in life?
The following truths promise to ease our frustration and offer hope.
In God’s view, to wait is not to waste.
There is always purpose in God’s delays. King David wrote, “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23 GNT). Next to this verse in the margin of his Bible, George Mueller wrote: “And the stops too” (1).
Just what might God be doing during the stops? He often uses wait time to work on our character, transforming pride into humility, doubt into faith, weakness into strength, and impatience into serenity.
A time of waiting provides a time for discovery.
As we turn attentive hearts toward gratitude for what is, praise for who God is, and satisfaction in serving him now wherever he has placed us, we’ll discover contentement. With Paul we’ll be able to say:
“The heart is rich when it is content, and it is content when its desires are set upon God,” wrote Miguel of Ecuador (2).
On the other hand, a heart cannot be content if set primarily upon an attainment in the future.
Waiting is part of the wonder to come.
It’s a basic principle of investment: the longer we wait, the greater our return. Delay enhances delight.
And one day we’ll finally receive the explanation for the pauses in our lives. No doubt our eyes will widen in wonder to see all that God accomplished when in our view, progress stood still.
* * * * * * * * * *
I thank you, Heavenly Father, that we can trust you during wait times.
You know the perfect sequence and timetable for events to unfold; we do not. You see the whole picture—the lives of others who will be impacted during this wait time; we cannot.
So may we rest on what we do know: You are a God of goodness, faithfulness, and wisdom. The one who trusts in you, whose confidence is in you, is blessed.
(Psalm 130:5; Psalm 139:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:24;
Psalm 100:5; Romans 11:33; Jeremiah 17:7)
Notes:
- George Müller (1805-1898) founded schools and orphanages in Bristol, England, in the early 1800s, providing care for thousands of children. His testimony of great faith included numerous miracles of provision for the orphans under his care.
- Miguel of Ecuador (1854-1910)–teacher and author
Photo credits: http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.canva.com (3).
[…] Nancy Ruegg […]
I had a 2-hour wait for one of my appointments – one hour in the waiting room and one in the examining room. When I couldn’t wait any longer to use the bathroom, I stepped out for a minute. I came back and found the doctor waiting for me. “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you!” he joked. (I was not amused.) The next time I was to go to that doctor, I prayed about what my attitude should be as a Christian – speak up and assert myself? Act as if it didn’t happen? I sensed that the right approach (for me, anyway) was humor. I had plenty to keep me busy as I waited – a book, a box of stationery to catch up on my correspondence, a sack lunch … It was a two-hour wait again, but at least I was the one poking fun this time. It definitely made a statement. The third time I saw him, I just brought my Bible. When he came into the room, he commented that reading the Bible was a good thing. I’m not sure my approach was a witness, but at least I didn’t blow my stack. Nowa days I have so much to pray about, it fills every minute of my wait time. 😉
P.S. For what it’s worth, my husband’s approach was different. When he waited two hours in the middle of a work day, he deducted two hours’ pay from his bill. It was never disputed.
Thank you, Ann, for sharing your experience. I thought one hour was bad–TWO is awful!! But your solution is so wise: arrive prepared, to put the time to good use should the wait be long. Another appointment with Dr. D. is coming up–I’ll put to good use your suggestion! Had to laugh at your husband’s solution for long wait times. ‘Can’t believe they never disputed his charge!
Lol. He and I are different. I majored in theater, so I dealt with it a bit dramatically, showing up fully prepared for a day in the waiting room wilderness. He majored in engineering, so dealt with it in a practical way, using a little math. (His time was considered worth way more than mine.)
Reading your comment, Annie, is a hoot! Sorry, I had to comment 🙂
Beautiful post. I confess I love to read about waiting on God but am much less a fan of experiencing it.
I hear you, Pastor Pete! Don’t know that even Paul was a fan of waiting, but he’d come to terms with it! Perhaps we could aim for that!!
Well put. I will share this. I always love your posts. God has gifted you to glorify Him in your writing. And those who know you see Jesus in you. God bless you.
Thank you Nikki for your sweet words of encouragement! I praise God for his inspiration all along the way from idea-starters to ready-for-posting. Love to you and Buck!
Well Nancy, I know that waiting is not wasted with God’s perfect timing (in my head).
I’m with you, Gary. In the moment of difficult waiting it’s hard to reconcile we’re not wasting time. Such experiences offer more places to exercise our faith, don’t they. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
This is so pertinent to me, Nancy. God has speaking to me about contentment, and waiting does not normally enhance that area of my life. I sometimes wonder what God is keeping me from when He makes me wait. He knows what He’s doing and He always has my best interests at heart, but I don’t always think of that as quickly as I should. My sweet little Grandma, when she had to wait on doctors, would go through her prayer list and spend that time in prayer. She was a great example in that way and I try to remember that when I’m waiting. It’s the best use of waiting that I’ve ever heard or experienced. God bless you, Nancy!
Your grandmother must have had great concentration power! I find most wait-situations to be too distracting for serious pursuits. My dad used to review whatever scripture he was memorizing at the time. He’d keep a small card in his wallet with just the first letter of each word, to prompt him if he got stuck. Again, I need peace and quiet for that kind of endeavor! What I can probably manage is writing some “thinking-of-you” cards while I wait. (Involving my hands AND brain might make it easier to focus!) Thank you for sharing, Patty!
great example. Interesting you are the second person this week discuss waiting room lessons. I think we are all in a collective waiting room – time to open up and learn, right?
Yes indeed. Never too old to learn, they say!
This is a good reminder to be patient. When I have to wait next time. I will read God’s Word on my Bible app.
Thank you Nancy and God bless you.
That’s another good idea! Thank you, Laura!
Wonderful post, Nancy. And I love the verses that you highlighted. They are a great reminder that God sees the big picture, while I’m focused on what I deem as requiring an immediate answer. I’m looking through a glass darkly; He provides clarity and brings things into focus with His higher purpose to draw me closer to Him as I wait.
AMEN, Cheri, and so eloquently put!
Nancy,
This is perfect for every day but in these days. The Lord is turning up the heat in America so we are no longer luke warm. We are so used to instant everything that we have no need to wait. Waiting can make us faith into what the Bible says, Here is the patience of the saints: here *are* they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Have a great week,
Gary
You are so right, Gary: waiting is a necessary part of our faith-training. And when our faith approximates that of Samuel, Jeremiah, Daniel and others, we will know the wait was worth it.
Nancy, this is beautifully written … you have a wonderful way of showing us to the Truth. If we all just understood, that our entire time on earth is waiting … and preparing for something amazing… thanks for using your time wisely and encouraging us to do the same! Hugs!
Thank you, Heidi. Your encouragement means much! You are so right: we are always waiting for something, it’s just the emotions attached to the waiting that vary. And of course, we who believe in Jesus are always in wait-mode for our arrival in heaven!
I love “ waiting is part of the wonder to com””… what a great thought and perspective!! This is such a timely post!! ❤️
Praise God it ministered to you, dear Lisa! And thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
Amen, He truly is in the waiting. I loved that quote by George Mueller, that He is not only in the steps, but in the stops also. Oh, may I remember and cling to Him even more in these waiting places in my life. Thank you so much for these beautiful words and Scriptures.
Isn’t that Mueller quote great? It delighted me too when I came across it. It also delights me to know you found beauty here, Bettie. Praise God for his inspiration and guidance!
Love your positive take on waiting. It is frustrating, but love the comparison of what God is doing for us in the wait times. Waiting for prayer answers is another, but always turns out positive even if the answer is quite a while forthcoming. Thanks so much for visiting me so I could come visit you. Happy Wednesday.
Thank you, Peabea. You are right: waiting for prayer answers always turns out positive, because our God’s plan is always perfect. (Hard to remember sometimes!) Thank you so much for stopping by!
“Waiting is part of the wonder to come” beautifully put. Thank you for the encouraging post 😊
Thank you, Camille. I’m so glad you found encouragement here–praise God!