The Value of Waiting

One of my favorite memories with our kids as they were growing up was Christmas Morning. The anticipation of getting to open their stockings and presents under the tree was was almost more than the four of them could handle.

They could not wait to see what gifts they had received and no matter how early my wife and I would wake up, it was not uncommon for one of them to dramatically proclaim, "We have been waiting forever!"

The Agony of Waiting

Waiting is something that I am not very good at.

Whether it is standing in a line, getting caught in traffic or being on hold, I do not enjoy the time I spend waiting. However, what I continue to realize is that a good part of life is spent waiting. Rarely do the things I want ever happen in the timeframe I have in my mind and so, I am left to wait . . . and sometimes the waiting seems like "forever!"

Waiting is a part of life and is nothing new, but what happens when we are waiting on big things that will impact our lives? How do we respond in these circumstances?

I know many who are waiting on a diagnosis, a job offer, a business to turn around or on the improved health of a loved one.

These are big events and waiting in these moments can be difficult, but for all of us at sometime or another they will be part of our lives. However, we have been given instructions on how we are to live during these periods of waiting.

Being Still, Patient and Gain Strength

In Psalm 37:7, God, through King David tells us to "Be still in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; . . ."

If you are like me, patience is not the first thing that we exhibit when we are forced to wait. I often grow restless, irritable, and antsy.

Yet, we are told to be patient and in order to accomplish this, we must first be still or better translated "be quiet".

In my times of waiting, when I choose to be quiet and still, my patience grows.

My patience is able to grow because it is in the stillness of my heart and mind that God can speak to me; because even in the waiting, even when I do not see it, I know that God is working.

This waiting and patience would can sound rather dreary, but there is more to it.

In Isaiah 40:31 we are given this assurance, "Those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."

This brings a whole different perspective to waiting!

In the waiting and resting I gain a new strength, I improve my endurance and I have no chance of growing weary. Who doesn't want that?!

Focus on the Outcomes

When I choose to focus on the glorious outcomes that are a result of me waiting patiently and quietly, it changes the way I look at it and how I act while I am waiting.

I also look back at the times when I have been waiting and see all that God has taught me and how it has made me more like Him, which is the ultimate goal.

If you find yourself in a period of waiting, may I encourage you to follow the words of King David - "to be still" and rest in the assurance of God's continual work which will bring a renewed strength and endurance.

On the Journey With You,

Carlos

This edition was first published in The Life Design Newsletter on LinkedIn.