Waiting is hard. Especially in such a fast pace world. I know I’ve mentioned this before. It’s funny how when I think of waiting I am reminded of when I went to Universal Studious with my in-laws this past Christmas. Something that they are implementing now (which is completely different from when I last went several years ago) is virtual lines. You download an app and sign up to “wait in line” virtually. You are then given a time period to come to the actual line later on in the day. It fascinated me and frustrated me at the same time. On one hand, I won’t have to wait in line, on the other, I am old fashioned. I used to waiting in a physical line. Even with those virtual lines, the actual lines were always never ending. All in all, waiting in line was exhausting and frustrating at the same time.

A lot of times that’s how we are when we wait on God. We may grow tired of waiting and just get frustrated because we aren’t getting answered fast enough. Other times, we get discouraged and lose what little faith we have in ever receiving an answer. I can’t blame anyone who would because I’ve done this myself. I’ve prayed and prayed and at times it felt like I was never going to get an answer. I grew frustrated and lost hope. Let me give you an example.

Before my husband and I got married, a dispute broke out between my family and his family. For the first few years of our marriage, there was always that tension between our families. I was constantly stressed and felt overwhelmed anytime we went to visit our families. I constantly prayed that one day our families could get together and actually get along. For a while, I didn’t know if it ever would happen. However, in His time, God answered my prayers. Our families can get together now and they have a good time. I can’t tell you how thankful I am each time I hear them joke and laugh together. As I look back at what was and what is now, I see how God has worked through it all.

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” – Psalm 27:13-14

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it isn’t easy to be patient. We are so accustomed to receiving and answer within seconds that we want God to work the same way. However, there is a reason for the wait. What that reason is depends on the circumstance. Maybe God is trying to teach you patience. Maybe God has something better for you in mind. Maybe God is trying to teach you how to rely on Him and not on yourself. I know in my case it was to teach me how to truly forgive and how to love unconditionally. The biggest thing we need while we wait is faith. Have faith in His timing because His timing is perfect.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.“– 2 Peter 3:9

We have a faithful God who listens to us. Even when we feel like He is being silent, He is listening. Have faith in Him. If you are having trouble keeping faith, remember all the times God has answered your prayers. I know from my own experiences that at times His answer was immediate and other times His answer took years. However, I can look back and see His work in my life and in those around me. Don’t stop praying just because He doesn’t seem to be answering you. Fervently seek Him, pray, and don’t lose faith.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.” – Psalm 130:5-6