How Do You Handle Waiting?

I found myself waiting for an air conditioner repair person to arrive. If you’re from the south, you know how we love our air conditioners, and not only that, they are absolutely essential to surviving in high humidity and scorching heat! There are two ways to wait – boil over in frustration or keep cool and use the time productively.

Life is easier when I accept spiritual times of waiting as well. I can feel relaxed or resentful; grow in acceptance or agitation; wait gracefully or grudgingly; make good use of the time or squander the opportunity to learn; give in to God or grumble.

Times of waiting can be times of refinement. Will I live in God’s newness of life?

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come,” 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life,” Romans 6:4.

Times of waiting can be times to allow God to work. Will I live fully in His light and reflect it?

“. . . I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life,” John 8:12. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven,” Matthew 5:16.

Times of waiting can be times of contemplation. Where is the peace in waiting?

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,” Romans 8:6. “Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary,” Isaiah 40:31.

Times of waiting can be times of self-reflection. What will I do differently?

“. . . knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin,” Romans 6:6. “And put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth,” Ephesians 4:24.

Times of waiting can be times to accomplish tasks, (like this devotional!) What can I get done?

“. . . making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16.

Times of waiting can be times to listen to God. Will I settle down and pay attention?

“But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.” Proverbs 1:33.

Of course, times of waiting are times to learn patience! Am I?

“. . . strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience,” Colossians 1:11.

God gives us freewill and we can choose. Will we misuse or marvel, squander or savor, waste or be wise with God’s times of waiting?

Blessings of growth through waiting! Prayer requests?

“Dear Lord, help me to be wise and listen for You in all times of waiting. Thank you, Amen.”

Choosing Patience In Spite of My Stubborn Self, PJ

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