When the Waiting Gets to Be Too Hard

Psalm 62.5I remember as a child waiting in anticipation for my birthday or for Christmas to arrive. Time moved slowly and the waiting dragged on forever.

As an adult, that time moves much more quickly. It seems like Christmas is around the corner again before last year’s gifts are put away. And birthdays…well, each one is not quite as exciting anymore. The anticipated wait doesn’t drag anymore. Now it flies by.

Waiting for the calendar page to turn—that’s not so hard. Unless time ends, one month will flow into the next, guaranteed.

But waiting on God? It. Is. Hard. Some days waiting on God feels impossible. And other days it takes me right to my knees in tears and frustration.

Perhaps you’re waiting on God too…

…for physical healing

…for employment

…for a child to come home

…for a relationship to be renewed

…for a loved one to come to faith

Whatever it might be, there will be days when waiting on God is just too hard.

Days when I think I cannot do it one more day. I can’t wait patiently without worry and fear. And on those days, peace gets edged out. In its place are anxiousness, nausea, headaches, tears, depression, anger—despair.

Despair feels like hitting bottom, where there’s no place deeper to go—because with despair comes hopelessness.

Hopelessness covers the world in darkness, but not completely. Never completely.

Because the darkness can never extinguish the Light.

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. John 12:46 NLT

Jesus came into this world to show us the light—His light that never dims. It never goes out.

We may become blinded to it at times, but it’s there, shining like a beacon—a symbol of hope leading us back to Him.

For where there is Light, there is hope. Always hope.

On the days when the waiting feels like too much—there is hope.

Hope for a better tomorrow.

Hope that what we’re anticipating and waiting for is right around the corner.

Hope that soon God will reveal His plans for us.

Hope because God is in the wait with us—strengthening and comforting—bringing rest to the weary and calm to the panicked—picking us up when we hit the ground in despair.

Waiting for the seasons to change becomes methodical. Waiting on God never does.

We may not know what’s coming next, but God does. Our waiting and our future is in His hands.

His safe, strong, and more than capable hands.

 

**There are times when sadness and despair don’t improve. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression (ex. emotions you can’t control, fatigue, lack of energy, not being able to sleep, or always wanting to sleep), please don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor. Depression is not a sign of how strong one’s faith is.

 

4 Responses to When the Waiting Gets to Be Too Hard
  1. Anita
    October 4, 2014 | 3:46 pm

    Hi Laura,

    I really appreciate your post today. It encouraged me through a difficult day. So thankful for our hope in Jesus.

    • Laura Rath
      October 6, 2014 | 9:45 pm

      So glad it encouraged you Anita! Thank you for reading and leaving a comment. God bless!

  2. Barbie
    October 4, 2014 | 7:09 pm

    Timely for me. I am waiting on the Lord to provide a new job, after being laid off from my church job that I had over the last 10 years. It’s been hard, sad, frustrating, but I am choosing to look up and ask the Lord what’s next. He promises to renew my strength and my hope.

    • Laura Rath
      October 6, 2014 | 9:49 pm

      I understand the emotions you’re going through. He is faithful Barbie, and has you in the palm of His hand. He will indeed renew your strength and hope.
      God bless,
      Laura