Jesus keeps us and cares for us.

Even in seasons of waiting, we are reminded of the hope found in Him. This hope leads us to remain faithful in the waiting, to be diligent in the longing, to be content in the unknown.

The amazing thing is that even in our waiting, God is still at work. He is producing something in us that only He can.

God is strengthening us. As we wait upon God, He gives us a strength that only He can provide to help us endure. It's not through self-care or a long vacation, but through waiting upon the Lord that we can run and not grow weary (Isaiah 40:31).
God is providing for us. Not only did God create you, but He sustains you. The very breath you breathe comes from God. So many times, we look at God and say, “It’s cool, I got this." We quickly realize we don’t. As we wait upon God, we start to see the beautiful things that God provides for those who patiently wait on Him. Our souls wait for the Lord, because He is our help and we can do nothing apart from Him (Psalm 33:18-22).
God has a plan and we see it being worked out in us. We don’t always see or even understand the vastness of God’s knowledge and ability to care for His creation. Sometimes, we think God isn’t moving in our lives because we don’t “see’ anything happening. However, God calls us to be strong and to wait upon Him, trusting that His ways are best (Psalm 27:14).

Our God is a good God. He knows our needs before we can even pinpoint them in our own hearts. God, in His wisdom, allows seasons of waiting to remind of us of our dependency on Him. This is usually worked out in two ways:

The resolution to our season of waiting is fulfilled in a greater way than we could ever imagine or plan ourselves.
There are times where our waiting doesn’t come to an end, but during those times we are brought into a deeper and stronger relationship with God.

In both situations, we are reminded that our longing never fully goes away. Even when waiting comes to an end, another season will eventually come. This longing and anticipation is built into every person because we live in a broken and sinful world.

Our longing can only be satisfied when we see Jesus.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21

So, the impatience you experience while waiting at the stop light or for that cup of coffee, shadows the deep longing we have in our hearts for Jesus. That doesn’t mean we can justify our impatience because of this longing. Instead, we are called to practice self-control. And by using self-control, we can allow any impatience to be a reminder of all of the good things yet to come.

One day, our broken and mortal body will be made new (1 Corinthians 15:53-54) in the presence of Jesus. What a beautiful day that will be! On that day, our longing will be found complete and the weight of waiting will no longer hang around our necks.

The same power that makes all things new is the same power that protects and plans out our steps here on earth. God knows you and sees you.

Even in the waiting, in the longing, in the pain - God has not left you alone.

Ultimately, we are waiting for Jesus.

Let that be a reminder the next time impatience sets in. Whatever discontentment you may be experiencing will one day be fulfilled in Jesus alone.

by Emily LaGrone