Favor In the Waiting Room

Have you heard of the waiting room? I’m sure you have and I’m confident it’s a room no one is fond of. The waiting room is a metaphor used to illustrate a holding cell we are in before we are granted access to our hopes, dreams, and desires. Since we are creative beings with vivid imaginations, no waiting room is the same. It is uniquely created based on the individual’s personality which can be scary or absolutely hilarious. My waiting room can be compared to a small waiting area in a hospital. In this well lit and sterile room, there are only chairs and a receptionist desk. I’m not sure if this was supposed to be humorous or polite, but on the receptionist desk, there is a sign that says they will be back in fifteen minutes. Well, it’s been YEARS, so… somebody needs to be fired due to false expectations and terrible service! The waiting room has not been an enjoyable experience for me and I wonder how many people feel the same?

There are many reasons why my waiting room is designed the way that it is. There aren’t any vending machines to replace or help me pushdown my problems with food. There aren’t any magazines to distract me from confronting and conquering any issues I’m struggling with. And most importantly, it’s a well lit area for me to bask in exposure, so I can’t hide; presenting me with the gift to learn the beauty of vulnerability. If you find yourself in the waiting room, ask yourself why am I here? What type of negative emotions are attacking you in your room-is it frustration, sadness, depression, or fear? What is the source of those emotions? When we let negative emotions run rampant and unaddressed, they take our heart captive and rule over one of our most prized possessions-our tongue. “For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words.” (Luke 6:45 TPT) 

How many of you have prayed similar prayers like these:

-Lord, you said you were for me and that you came so that I can have an abundant life. Well I consider one of the pillars of an abundant life is a beautiful marriage, why haven’t you blessed me with a husband yet?

-Lord, do you see the way they are treating me in this job? You said you will fight with anyone who fights with me and save me. (Isaiah 49:25) I’ve applied to jobs and received no answer. Why am I still here, why won’t you bless me?

-Lord, my husband and I have been trying for years to have children. This is my most cherished desire and my only request. I’ve prayed, I’ve fasted, prayer warriors, and prophets spoke words of life over me and I’m still waiting. Why won’t you bless me?

  After battling through different storms in our life, we grow weary. It may not seem like it, but the undertone of each prayer listed above is hopelessness. It says- Lord I’m tired of waiting. I’ve been waiting for years now and I don’t see the promise. How long, Lord? How long? I’m starting to believe you don’t care about me. When we are struggling to keep his faith, it can be hard to believe he will favor us while we are waiting.

There are many examples in the bible of how God showed favor while his people were enduring trials. Daniel and the lion’s den was one of the greatest examples of God’s favor, in my opinion. Daniel was sentenced to death and thrown into the lions den for not following the decree to worship King Darius only for thirty days. As Daniel checked in for the night, God had other plans for Daniel’s life and shut the mouths of the lions. And in the morning, when King Darius found that Daniel survived, he lifted the orders and Daniel was free. The point is this: God’s favor and our beliefs of what God’s favor looks like in our lives are two different concepts. How many of us, if we were in Daniel’s sandals, would have preferred God to send the angel to destroy the stone blocking the door AND calm the lions instead of the angel just chilling with us in the den all night? I know I’m not the only one! But it’s important for us not to sleep on God’s favor because it doesn’t come wrapped in the package we want it to. And it’s important for us not to discredit his favor, when it shows up at a different time in our life.

We must cultivate while we wait! If you are experiencing a lot of negative emotions during your season, what is the source? Is it bitterness? Are you still holding on to hurt instead of forgiving? Investigate it and begin to do the work. What books are you reading? What classes are you taking, while you are waiting? Have you hired someone to help polish your resume and participate in mock interviews, while your future opportunity is making its way to you? Have you hired consultants in the area of marriage or reading books on marriage to help you prepare for your union? Most importantly, are you praising him in the waiting room? It has been stated that praise unlocks the keys to your blessings, are you willing to give it a try? It’s important for us not to have idle hands in this season. We must continue to grow in all areas of interest including understanding and growing in God’s faith- this should be the highest priority. And after you have done everything in your power to excel, stand firm in God’s faith and believe the door to your blessings will be opened to you. 

The truth is this- everyday you spend in the waiting room is not 100% terrible. There are hellish days for sure, but there are good things, unexpected blessings that can provide us joy and relief. So let us implement a practical lesson from Paul -“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) This is a simple exercise that will shift your perspective during the most trying of times. I would like send you on your way with a small prayer:

Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit,

Thank you all for each soul who has come across this post. You have been gracious to us all and I thank you for your wisdom and love. I pray that you provide every soul with a fresh revelation of your love and reveal how valuable they are to you. Unlock every heart God that is closed because of bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, and unbelief. Continue to go after their hearts Lord and provide provision for them in the wilderness. Your children will not die in the wilderness nor are their dreams destined to be fruitless. Please give them the strength to endure the trials and to keep the faith while running their race. 

In Jesus name I pray, 

 Amen.