"Waiting for something makes it more gratifying when it finally happens."
- Doug Coupland
How many of you like to wait? Waiting is part of life. We must wait at signal lights, regular lines like grocery stores, and longer lines like Disneyland. Then there are waiting rooms, which can be frustrating. How many of you have had a 2 pm appointment but haven’t seen the doctor until 3:30 pm? Doctors’ offices are not the only waiting rooms. I have waited at the DMV and the Social Security Office.
We also have to wait in life.
· It felt like I waited a long time to get married. Most of my friends were married and having babies. I had not even met the man I would marry. I did marry at 25, and as I look back, that is still young!
· I waited many years to have a baby. After years of trying, we decided to adopt, and that process took a while. We experienced four adoption attempts—the baby from the fourth adoption attempt we brought home. At five-and-a-half months, the birth mother changed her mind and took him back. We waited for three weeks for her to come, and that waiting period was unbearable.
· I sat with both my parents as they were dying. They died 20 years apart. It was so hard to sit at the bed, knowing that anytime they would be taking their last breath.
· I have waited with much excitement for a vacation. I enjoy seeing my friends and family who live in different states.
· I have waited to find a job. I am fortunate to have found a job with Martin Park, Inc. I love my job. The people I work with are great, and my job as a fundraiser is both frustrating and rewarding. I love going to work every day!
· My current waiting period is waiting for the results of a biopsy. I am having some female issues, and the doctor felt we should do a biopsy. Now that I have done that, I have to wait a week to two weeks for the results.
Why am I referring to all these issues with God’s waiting room?
I have grown through all of these issues, good and bad. When I had gone through challenging times, I prayed and felt closer to God. I had to learn to trust. I have not only grown as a person but also as a Christian.
I have not always journeyed through these challenging times gracefully. I was angry when I lost my parents; I didn’t understand why I could not conceive, and I was more than angry when I lost my son. I have worked through disappointments, and God has used them for good. A familiar clique is God never wastes a hurt! I believe that. I have had the opportunity to share my losses and how God saved my life through grace and mercy.
After losing my son in a failed adoption attempt, I turned away from God and started acting out by overdosing on over-the-counter drugs and making some suicide attempts. Not the way a “good Christian” should act. – This hurt has enabled me to share my story with a few church groups.
God has also used positive waiting for his Glory. I am excited to visit family and friends in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, or Boston. How I treat others in airports, passengers, and TSA agents makes a difference.
Maybe we are waiting in a doctor’s office, and you are blessed to talk to someone who is anxious and needs encouragement. You can be a blessing.
I have learned that waiting in God’s waiting room is a blessing!
Here are ten steps to help you deal with having to wait:
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings:
Recognize that waiting can be frustrating, and feeling impatient or anxious is okay. Acknowledging these emotions is the first step toward managing them.
2. Practice Deep Breathing:
Engage in deep breathing exercises to calm your mind and reduce stress. Focus on slow, deep breaths to help bring your attention back to the present moment.
3. Distract Yourself:
Bring a book, listen to a podcast, or play a mobile game or puzzle. Having something to occupy your mind can make the time pass more quickly.
4. Set a Timer:
If possible, set a timer for the time you expect to wait. This can help you mentally prepare and make the wait feel more manageable.
5. Reframe the Situation:
Instead of focusing on the wait, consider it a gift of extra time to relax, reflect, or plan. Changing your perspective can reduce the frustration associated with waiting.
6. Practice Mindfulness:
Use the time to practice mindfulness or meditation. Pay attention to your surroundings, your breathing, or the sensations in your body to stay grounded in the present.
7. Plan or Organize:
Use the waiting time to plan your day, organize your thoughts, or make to-do lists. This can help you feel productive and reduce the frustration of waiting.
8. Connect with Others:
If you’re waiting with others, strike up a conversation. If alone, consider calling or texting a friend or family member. Social interaction can make the time feel shorter.
9. Visualize Positive Outcomes:
Spend time visualizing the positive outcome of your wait. This can create a sense of anticipation and excitement rather than frustration.
10. Accept and Let Go:
Ultimately, waiting is a part of life. Accept that things are beyond your control and let go of any negative feelings associated with the wait. Embrace the moment as it is.
I hope this helps you tolerate the waiting game and have a better attitude.
Have a great week!
Comments