God's Waiting Room
What Months of Waiting are Teaching Me About Trust, Hope, and Growing Faith
In The Waiting Room
The sinus surgeon from our world-renowned hospital system came highly recommended. Thankfully, I’d snagged a cancellation in her office the day after my referral.
I didn’t wait long in her waiting room to get called, but the wait in the patient room? Quite lengthy. After months in God’s waiting room and many prayers for healing, I now awaited a surgeon’s opinion.
A young medical resident showed up and began the questioning process. When he finished, I waited longer.
When the surgeon finally arrived, she took a cursory glance up one nostril while affirming the need for surgery to open and clean out completely blocked sinuses. “Not even an ounce of air in that left side!” she announced while smiling.
As she finished her spiel, I forced myself to meet her eyes. Her list of possible surgical complications spanned the arena from post-surgical bleeding and pain to the tiniest risk for potential brain damage.
“Give my scheduler 7-10 days to get back to you about the date,” she instructed.
“Wait…,” I stopped her. “We have a vacation lined up in a few weeks, out of state…”
“I need you here, boots on the ground, for at least 10-14 days post-surgery for monitoring and follow-up. Let’s just plan on doing this when you get back.”
“OK”, I said, thinking that’s a long time to have to wait. I’d be stuck hosting my infection on our flights and throughout the vacation. Not ideal.
I must’ve looked concerned because the resident felt a need to reassure, “Don’t you worry, we will take GOOD care of you.” Ha, Buddy, that’s appreciated, but you are young and haven’t experienced a whole lot of life yet!
As they left the room to create the take-home paperwork, I let my head fall into my hands. Tears were threatening, and I squashed the urge to bolt. I’d had enough of waiting with the nausea and headache and longed to be home in my favorite recliner.
Just then, the surgeon strode back down the hall. Glancing through my open door, she caught a glimpse of me, head in hands, and stopped mid-stride.
“Are you OK?”
I raised my head and nodded yes, afraid that speaking might betray my weepiness. Purposefully, I sat back and straightened drooping shoulders. I didn’t want to break down and cause discomfort for the staff.
Plus, in terms of medical problems, this wasn’t that bad, right? But having ongoing chronic issues, it tipped the bucket. How do others in medical battles fight tears at appointments?
It was closing in on dinnertime as I stepped out into the summer heat. Late afternoon sunrays felt welcoming after the air-conditioning chill. Sunglasses would be required for the drive home, as well as for hiding leaking tears.
Physically and emotionally, battling an infection for months on end is wearing. Now there would be another month to wait.
***
Little did I know then that it would be two more months before I received a surgery date. And that the earliest surgery date would be two months further out.
An entire summer to bear feeling drained and sick. How frustrating.
God’s Waiting Room
Medical offices aren’t the only places with waiting rooms.
Every believer eventually lands in a waiting room. Not with outdated magazines and uncomfortable chairs, but with unanswered prayers and uncertain tomorrows.
We wait on healing, guidance, a job, a reconciliation, a spouse, a child, an answer to prayer, or simply for a move from God. We await help for difficult to impossible circumstances, in whatever way God chooses to give.
Scripture is full of examples of people who waited—
Abraham and Sarah waited decades for God’s promised son (Genesis 12–21)
Joseph waited through betrayal, slavery, and prison before God’s purpose unfolded (Genesis 37–50)
David, anointed as king, waited years before wearing the crown (1 Samuel 16; 2 Samuel 5)
Hannah waited and prayed for a child (1 Samuel 1)
The disciples waited in Jerusalem hiding after the crucifixion (John 19,20), and then awaited the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1–2)
Waiting on God didn’t mean He was absent, but behind the scenes working all things out.
Encouragement While Waiting
Scripture very much encourages us in our waiting rooms:
Waiting Requires Courage.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Ps. 27:14)
Waiting Requires Trust
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” (Ps. 37:7)
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. (Ps 130:5)
Waiting Has Purpose
“But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles…” (Is. 40:31)
“…suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…(Rom. 5:3-4)
**Suffering → perseverance → character → hope **
Hope While Waiting
Here’s the thing:
Waiting isn’t useless space. It’s often where God prepares our hearts for the future.
And often, waiting transforms US before it changes our circumstances.
While waiting, I’m practicing total surrender to God’s plan and timing. While I pray for healing, I press into Jesus daily for the perseverance and strength I need.
One helpful practice (which I’ve written more about HERE) is personalizing and praying Scripture. If you’re in the waiting room with me, why not try this? Instead of merely reciting Psalm 23, insert your own valley into David’s words.
Here’s part of mine as an example:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of illness, I will fear no surgery; for you ARE with me, your plans and hands support me. You take my hand and lead me through the forest of fear. You anoint my spirit with peace which bubbles up inside. Surely comfort and mercies are given as I journey on to heaven with You.
And he will, friends, meet us in the waiting room with fresh strength to persevere.
May God bless you in and through your waiting rooms.
Are you wading through a season of waiting right now? Please share if you’d like prayers for God’s help and perseverance!
For Worship— two great songs for you today!!
“Wait on You” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City
A Bonus!! “Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle
*Photos by 1) Greg Rosenke and 2) Daniel Silva on Unsplash and 3) mine from Frohring Meadows and 4)Nighthaw Studio on Unsplash