Why Waiting is an Opportunity, Not Wasted Time

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“It’s really hard to wait,” my four-year-old daughter said with as much drama as her little voice could muster.

​As she got into bed, she told me she wanted to go see Grandma and PaPa, who live ten hours south. Summer was too far away. She wanted to get in the car right then. Trying to explain time to a four-year-old is tricky business.
 
If I look at my own life, I’m not unlike my daughter. Sometimes I try to rush God’s timing when things in life aren’t moving at the speed I want. When prayers go unanswered or the answer is an obvious “no,” I might try to take matters into my own hands. But like a patient Father, God repeatedly teaches me this isn’t the best solution.

This happened several years ago, when our family faced a financial crisis and each new bill caused an immediate rise in my blood pressure. We owned a rental property on the other side of the country, and our renters abandoned the home with no warning. As regular bills accumulated, so did debt for damage they left behind.
 
I wanted to cut our losses and sell the property, but as it sat on the market, it became obvious that it wasn’t God’s timing. Despite my pleas asking Him to release this burden, we eventually had to rent again.
 
If we look at the life of David, we see someone who waited for God’s timing too. Although anointed king as a boy, years passed before he took the throne. These years weren’t tranquil either, but a time where David was pursued by a king who wanted to kill him. I imagine David questioned God’s timing too. As a matter of fact, a look at the Psalms shows us he did, on more than one occasion.
 
“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)
 
Psalm 13 is just one example of a theme we see throughout these songs David wrote, often during times of distress. However, David doesn’t stay in this mindset. After pouring out his heart, we see a shift. We see an intentional decision to trust God, and recognize He is sovereign even in the wait.
 
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5 NIV)
 
Seasons of waiting give you the opportunity to shift your focus from deliverance to the Deliverer.
 
David’s life was a reflection of this recognition as well. When pursued by King Saul, he had more than one opportunity to kill him. But instead of taking matters into his own hands, he waited. His actions acknowledged that vindication belonged to the Lord, and he knew God would give the throne to him in his timing.
 
As for our situation with the rental house, God released that burden in his timing also. Eventually, the market soared and we were able to sell the property for much more than we would have if I’d had my way. I realized the waiting wasn’t wasted time, but a season God used to draw us into a deeper trust in Him.
 
If you’re in a season of waiting right now, remember God hasn’t abandoned you. He is still working in the midst of the unknown. But instead of trusting in the answer, He wants us to trust Him. Shift your focus from the answer you can’t yet see to the One who sees your story from beginning to end. He will transform your heart in the wait. Bring your worry to him today, and allow the seasons of waiting to move your attention from the rescue to the Rescuer.

Memory Verse: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Psalm 13:5 NIV

About the Author

Hi! My name is Abby McDonald. I've been married for fourteen years, and am the mom of two boys, ages twelve and nine, and a four-year-old girl. When I'm not wrangling the kids or our black lab pup, I love having coffee with friends, writing, and speaking to women who are thirsty for the gospel. I am passionate about equipping women to find the hope of Christ in the midst of life's messes. My book, Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God, is devoted to this purpose and ministry. Connect with Abby at: www.abbymcdonald.org

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