It’s in the Waiting

As we emerge from the celebration of Valentine’s Day, love is the word du jour. However, you have most likely heard the popular verse of 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) that states, “Love is patient, love is kind.”

How often do you equate patience with love? Is patience a struggle for you? If so, I hear you…and I understand.

Waiting has become almost impossible in a culture of immediacy. In the past, I have fallen into the trap of longing for rapid gratification or experiencing a lack of patience when circumstances did not play out as I hoped. I can also see my patience towards others wearing thin, especially in times of stress.

Honestly, waiting for long periods of time can be challenging. In hopeful anticipation, maybe you have been impatient about finishing a degree, getting married, having kids, getting a promotion, etc. It is hard not to get excited about what is next.

Moreover, the past year has brought new or expanded challenges. Health concerns, financial strains, and other very real issues are part of our daily lives. We’ve witnessed political strife. We’ve yearned for reconciliation.

Despite our longings, our hopes are not always met with immediate resolve. Therefore, I have aspired to approach the interim periods of life with a little more intentionality. Time waiting can be time spent praying, serving others, or daydreaming ideas for better tomorrows.

Time waiting can also be a reason to choose self-care and invest in your mind and body. I’ve learned with absolute certainly an absence of margin can result in a low patience tank.

I realize as I look back on time, I have rushed more of life away that I really want to admit as I struggled within impatience. When my children were small, I felt like I was hanging on for dear life just to keep my little adventure-seekers safe from harm. The days felt immeasurably long at times, and my patience was wearing thin. As I look back, so much of that time was a blur and I could have done myself and my children a great favor by trying hard to embrace the days rather than wish for easier ones.

As I have waited through hard seasons, I have fought the feelings of impatience, frustration, and even anger at times. When I have felt my circumstances were unfair, I have resorted to childlike emotions, looking down at my stomping feet. What would have happened if I had chosen to look up at my heavenly Father instead? Wasn’t He was weaving my circumstances for the good? At times, I’ve been too stubborn or impatient to see it.

But, I have recognized as I reflect back, the waiting has produced change. While I was focusing on all things earthly, God was working on me.

In our seasons of waiting or impatience, we get to choose our approach. We can be patient in our circumstances, and ask for a softened heart toward those around us. And, we can ask God to help us understand what he is revealing in the process.

Psalm 5:3 (NIV) states, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Chances are, we will not receive our answers instantaneously. But with God’s help, we may have more understanding over time. It may take days, weeks or months for prayers to be answered or hopes to be realized – maybe more. And sometimes friends, the desires of our human hearts are not fulfilled, because we cannot see the full story being woven from our worldly perspective.

All of our stories are all different. Although I am unable to forecast how our lives will be knitted, I do believe God cares deeply about our outcome and is waiting for our earnest prayers and obedient hearts as He reveals His plans. And, how we choose to wait on the Lord’s timing – and extend grace in the meantime to ourselves and one another – is up to us.

If we want to follow Jesus’ command as given in John 13:34 to love one another, we must exercise patience. Let us strive together.