Learning to Wait, Ouch

Isaiah 40:29-31

Waiting for God to answer a prayer request is often stressful and frustrating. This is especially true if the issue is urgent or we’ve been praying for months or even years without any evidence of an answer. We must remember that God is working according to His timetable, not ours. He is the sovereign and omniscient ruler of heaven and earth, who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

However, this doesn’t mean He’s a cosmic despot who doesn’t care. On the contrary, He is our loving heavenly Father, who is infinitely good, wise, and powerful. He continually watches over and cares for His beloved children.

From our limited earthly perspective, however, the delay may seem pointless, trying our patience and challenging our faith. Periods of waiting are very often accompanied by fear, stress, or grief. These negative feelings could easily push us forward in search of a solution or lead us into despair. But the Lord has promised protection and provision for those who wait upon Him. If we’ll turn to Him, trusting in His wisdom and love, He will not only strengthen us to endure but will also help us mature through the process.

When the Lord leads you into the “waiting room,” He wants you to keep in step with Him. If you become impatient and try to run ahead, you’ll miss whatever He has for you, whether lessons or blessings or something else. Delays are not easy, but when His answer finally comes, you’ll discover that your patience and trust in Him have grown.