The Waiting Room

As for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. MICAH 7:7 ESV 

We all know the feeling of having to wait on something. The more we want it, the slower the clock ticks and we feel desperate to get our hands on that thing, have that prayer be answered, or arrive at our destination on time. The waiting room feels like a delay we don’t have time for as we plead with God, “Lord, don’t You see I have been patient? Where are You?” 

We seek God during the waiting, thinking that our answer is on the other side of our waiting; however, it is often the detour itself that becomes the blessing. In the waiting we ask, “Why is this happening or not happening?”; “What is God asking of me?”; and “Is there anything holding me back from moving forward?” In our searching for answers we lean into His instruction and sit at His feet. Our time spent talking with Jesus to find the solution reminds us that He is our solution, He knows the time frame, and He is fully aware of our hopes and dreams. 

We should not wait to withhold our praise until we get to the other side because we learn the process is the point. Life will consist of many moments in which patience will have to be exerted, and it is through the discipline of celebration and the act of praise that we will find release instead of holding our breath. We must decide to lift our hands, raise our voices, and show up in the waiting room, believing that whatever is on the other side of our waiting is good. 

The waiting room does not mean the death of our dreams; rather, it is often the incubator. As we search His heart, He refines ours. The game of waiting leads us to the end of ourselves as we become forced to answer the question “Is He trustworthy?” To keep the faith during these times of waiting, we must take the time to remember His character. When we look to the altars of our past and survey His fingerprints in our current circum-stances and in the stories of the Bible, we see that failure, abandonment, and dishonesty have never been part of His track record. 

To truly experience peace on this side of the promise, we must ask the question, “Even if this does not happen as I envision it, will I keep believing He knows best?” When we can earnestly say yes, we experience the freedom of the present, knowing that whatever comes from His hands is always for our best. Fear-defying joy is found in doing the holy, hard work that is only possible in the waiting room. 

Hey Jesus, thank You for Your perfect timing and alignment with all things. Help me to surrender any doubt and fully put my trust in You. Remind me that it is in the waiting that You refine me. My eyes are open. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Cleere Cherry Reaves 
Radiate: 90 Devotions to Reflect the Heart of Jesus 

Looking for more inspiration? You can find hope & encouragement in God’s Word every day with the new DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible now available on DaySpring.com!