Thriving in the Waiting Game - Denise Pass

Waiting is hard to do. There, I said it. Thriving in the waiting game of life seems kind of fake.

And I confess that it is easy to become jaded while we wait, thinking that what we are waiting for might never happen. Or perhaps we begin to doubt that the wait will be worth it and adopt the habit of waiting for the other shoe to drop instead of waiting on God.

The question is, what are we waiting for?

Within all of us, there is a sense of a longing for something more. We might not be able to put our finger on it, but something innately drives us toward a goal—perhaps a nebulous goal or a known goal.

While we wait for whatever we are waiting for—toward a goal or maybe even relief from a long, hard season—we have some options before us on how to wait.

1) Wait in faith. This is when we know God is at work, trusting in the outcome, no matter what.

2) Wait with an ache. This is when we wait with a bit of a melancholic ache in our heart, restless, while we feel stuck in no man’s land.

3) Don’t wait! Forget waiting! I will make this happen one way or another!

4) Work while you wait. Whistle or work while you wait. Maybe as a distraction tactic, or perhaps working toward the goal and being productive in the interim.

5) Rest while you wait. Abide in Christ and seek God for direction.

What kind of waiter are you?

Wait in Faith

“And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15, NIV).

This one reminds me of Abraham. His faith in God while he waited on God became the impetus for God to credit his faith as righteousness (Gen 15:6; Rom 4:3). Perhaps if he had not had to wait, he would not have earned such character and trust in God.

Wait with an Ache

“So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him” (1 Samuel 1:20 NIV).

This reminds me of Hannah as she waited to have a son and was tormented by a rival wife. She waited with seemingly no relief in sight. She prayed through 19 years of barrenness, according to the Midrash.

This tactic of waiting kind of reminds me of me, too. There has been a sadness I have had to combat while I have felt aimless after completing my dissertation and helping care for my mom through a hard health diagnosis. I have learned, though, that waiting teaches contentment and an acceptance that we can learn to be content, as Paul did. Even if we never see the fulfillment of our hope.

Don’t Wait!

“Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child” (Genesis 17:17)?

This one reminds me of Sarah (formerly Sarai), who wanted God’s promise NOW. I cannot say I blame her. She and Abe had to wait 25 years. But we still feel the consequences of Sarah’s lack of faith today. Modern-day enemies of God’s people were a result of Sarah’s plan. Then there is Rebecca, who wanted her son Jacob to be blessed—NOW. This one has been me, too. Waiting is hard because we want our plan without waiting; sometimes we don’t necessarily want God’s plan and timing.

Work While You Wait

“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4, ESV).

This style of waiting reminds me of Nehemiah, who patiently built the wall despite the relentless attacks on him. But he also patiently prayed, some say Nehemiah 1:4 was four months of praying and fasting while Nehemiah sought God’s will about the broken down wall. Nehemiah had a goal, and it seemed impossible at times, but he did not give up. Can I just say I have felt like Nehemiah as I have worked toward ministry endeavors and kept encountering attacks and, um, waiting?

Rest While You Wait

“Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not get upset because of one who is successful in his way, Because of the person who carries out wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7, NASB).

King David certainly exemplifies learning to rest in God while he waited for Saul to stop chasing him like a madman for 15 years. This one seems like a utopia, and while it might seem far-fetched, it is possible. There is a sweet place where ambition is checked by God, and surrendering to trusting God’s perfect will is the beautiful fruit. Paul exhibited this trait, saying in 1 Corinthians 4:19: “But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills…”

I do not have the waiting game down, y’all…hardly. But I see fruit forming as I learn that waiting has a purpose, too. God’s ways and plans are PERFECT. And He does not need my help making things happen. Maybe what I am hoping for might be something God spares me from.

While you wait, here is a mindset hack that has helped me when there seems to be no end in sight to waiting. This week’s mindset hack reminds me to be cognizant of how I wait. When I probe and ask myself why waiting is bugging me so much, I realize I might be discontent and impatient. Ugh. I said it. But if I wait on the LORD instead of waiting for that thing I am waiting for, I am surprised by the strength He provides to help me not just cope but hope afresh in His plans, not mine.

All for Jesus,

Denise