One of my girlfriends texted me a few months ago to say her husband was laid off again. This is the third time in 3 years. Fortunately they have been very wise with their money for the past three decades and are able to weather the storm of unemployment financially. However, the impact emotionally and mentally is draining for them and I believe the older we are, the greater the toll and concern.
Fortunately, a few weeks ago my friend’s husband received a new job offer. As she was sharing this good news over lunch, one of our other friends commented, “The waiting room is a hard place to be.” What a great word picture. The waiting room is a hard place to be! I don’t know about you but waiting has always been stressful for me literally and figuratively. I grow increasingly impatient in the wait and seconds can feel like hours and if the wait draws out to days, weeks or months I struggle to keep panic at bay. My natural instinct is to make a move, make a decision, to do something—anything—NOW. I find myself currently in such a season. The temptation to make something happen, to take matters into my own hands is so overwhelming some days.
Perhaps the waiting room is a test—a purpose-filled pause. A time to wait on the Lord and be still. (Psalm 46:10) A time to trust and be thankful not allowing trepidation to overpower our minds and consequently convince us to move ahead anyway. I’ve done the latter many times and the outcome is never ideal and in some circumstances costly in many ways.
Jesus, I pray your strength today for all of us in the waiting room. May we sit at your feet and seek you with all our hearts. May we not allow the enemy to convince us we are missing out on something by remaining steadfast in our wait. May we give thanks in the wait knowing your plans are always perfect and always on time. Amen!
C. Deni Johnson
Right Hand Ministries 