When Waiting Seems Endless

Have you ever been to a restaurant and you were told the food will be ready in thirty minutes? How did you feel? Especially if you were very hungry and you walked into that restaurant because you felt you would get a prepared meal instead of going home to start one from scratch? I’m sure you’d be tempted to leave the restaurant and try another. 

We live in a generation of instant happenings; we have instant payments, instant noodles, and instant services. The word “waiting” almost seems alien to us now. Innovators continue to develop solutions to reduce “waiting time” for any product or service. However, one thing we can be certain of is that waiting and patience is still a biblical principle and a lot of times in scriptures believers are asked to wait. The Bible is filled with a plethora of passages asking believers to wait on the Lord. Some of my favourite passages are highlighted below 

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalms 27:14 NKJV)

I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord. (Psalms 40:1-‬3 NKJV)

Let me tell you a secret, the process of waiting is very hard. It is even more difficult when it seems like your life is stagnant and in one position whilst every other person seems to be making progress. Everyone seems to be getting their dream job except you; everyone seems to be getting married except you; everyone seems to have a testimony except you. And it goes on and on. One question I have heard reiterated concerning the process is what do I do whilst waiting to abridge the time? Here are some things, I will suggest:

1. PRAY: It goes without saying that you should spend time praying. In the process of waiting, there will be several temptations and discouragement and the only way to build stamina is by praying. Proverbs 24:10 NKJV says “If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.” How do you avoid fainting? By praying. You build up yourself on your most holy faith by praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20). 
2. MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD AND PROMISES: The scriptures are filled with promises to believers that wait. Also, God may have given you specific words and promises concerning your waiting season. Put these words in the front of your mind and eyes always. Meditate on them always. Another way to do this is by listening to songs containing God’s promises. The word of God is your defence against the fiery darts of the enemy. (Ephesians 6:16-17) When the devil tries to sow seeds of doubt and discouragement, you remind yourself of God’s word
3. CULTIVATE AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE FOR DEVOTION: I realise that one of the tricks of the devil during a waiting season is to get your devotional life to dwindle and become nothing. Create an environment wherein your devotion can thrive. Have set times for praying and studying the word. Listen to worship music and sermons. Ensure that your mind is not left to wander about. Set it focused on God’s word all day. One of the things I have learnt to do when it becomes difficult for me to pray is  to play worship music and sleep off or get busy doing something else and in no time I find myself praying and speaking in tongues.
4. HAVE A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS: You must have a community of believers you can call to pray for you and with you when you feel down or discouraged. There is power in praying together. “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31 NKJV)”

Finally, you must understand that much more than the physical things you will get when you wait, your character is built. You learn patience and self control. You build strength and capacity for the next season. Know that God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. He can change a life in the twinkle of an eye, so never give up. The book of Isaiah quoted earlier says that when you wait, your strength is renewed and you receive speed to run and strength to not faint. 

About the Author

Linda Okwe is a believer and member of F.A. Rubies who believes in the efficacy of God’s word as a mechanism to save and transform any life. She is also a Legal Practitioner.