Sometimes waiting can be really, really hard. The Bible says "hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12) Rarely does the heart feel "sicker" than when you want something very badly and it hasn't happened yet. People will tell you to just be patient, but that doesn't always help, does it? When you are waiting, time can sometimes seem to move painfully slow. A single day can feel like a week, a month or even a year.

Elsie Dinsmore knew what it was like to have to wait. When we meet her for the first time in Elsie's Endless Wait, we find out that she has never known the love of a parent. Her father left just before she was born and her mother died shortly after her birth. She lives with relatives, but they don't seem to care much for her. Every day for eight long, lonely years, she has waited for her father to come home. To Elsie, the wait was unbearable.
 
She thought constantly of her absent father, and she longed intensely for his return. Day and night, she dreamed that he had come home, had taken her to his heart and called her his "own precious child" and his "precious little Elsie," just as her grandfather often spoke to Enna. But from month to month, year to year, her father's return was delayed, and her heart grew weary with its almost hopeless waiting. --- Elsie's Endless Wait

Many people in the Bible had to wait long periods of time for what they wanted.

Abraham and his wife had to wait 25 years from the time God promised them a son until Isaac, the son of the promise, was born. Joseph had to wait 13 years from the time he was thrown into the pit until he was released from prison. The Israelites had to wait 70 years from the time they were sent into exile in Babylon until they could return to Israel, their homeland. Noah had to wait 120 years from the time God instructed him to build the ark until the flood came.

Whether the wait is long or short, it is probably safe to say that no one really likes to wait. Something in us makes us gravitate towards impatience rather than patience and towards exasperation rather than anticipation. Even with short waits, we are often tempted to give up rather than persevere. It doesn't help that today's fast-paced, fast food society conditions us to believe that we can get what we want whenever we want it. But even though we enjoy many modern conveniences that the generations before us did not get to enjoy, waiting is still an inevitable part of life, whether we like it or not. So we need to learn how to endure it. And if we are Christians, we need to learn to endure it in a way that pleases and honors God.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH US ABOUT WAITING?

The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:22 that patience is one of the nine "fruit" of the Holy Spirit, along with love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The Bible also tells us that we should walk in love and that "love is patient." So patience must be a very important virtue in God's eyes.

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, it says in verse 3:1, "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." In verse 8:6, it says, "there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him." (It's true. Waiting can be miserable.)

Those verses tell us that even though we may not understand why, some things are not supposed to happen until a certain appointed time. This is the great mystery in waiting - there is a special blessing or opportunity or benefit for us if we will allow the Lord's perfect will (His first choice) to be worked out in His perfect timing.

Even God the Father and Jesus know what it is like to wait. 

Read some examples below.

The Bible tells us that God the Father waited to send His Son Jesus into the world with His message of love and salvation until the time when it would have the fullest effect. Galatians 4:4 says, "but when the time had fully come [emphasis added], God sent His Son...." Imagine that! God Himself had to wait until the perfect timing!

When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus could have chosen to turn the rocks into bread and eat right then and there (which would have ended His 40-day fast early) or to accept the power and glory and splendor when Satan offered them to Him (as the King of Kings He was entitled to it anyway). Because Jesus was fully man (even though He was also fully God), those temptations must have been very compelling. But Jesus chose to resist those temptations and wait for His food and His power, glory and splendor, until God's appointed timing.

COULD IT BE THAT WE CAN SHORT-CIRCUIT GOD'S PERFECT PLAN FOR US BY BEING IMPATIENT AND NOT WAITING FOR THE FULLNESS OF HIS PERFECT TIMING?

Proverbs 19:2 says, "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." That is just what happened to Abraham and his wife Sarai in Genesis chapters 16 and 17. God had promised them a child, but after 10 years of waiting, they gave up and came up with their own alternative: Sarai gave her husband to her maid, Hagar, so that Hagar could conceive a child for Abraham and Sarai. As a result, Ishmael was born. But Ishmael was not the child of the promise. Isaac (who Sarai conceived 14 years later) was the one through whom God chose to bless the Jewish people. But Ishmael grew up with a lot of hostility toward Isaac. So something done out of discouragement and impatience resulted in unforeseen negative consequences that continued for many, many years to come. Not waiting on God can have irreversible consequences.

WHAT FIVE THINGS DID ELSIE DO TO ENDURE HER LONG, LONG WAIT TO MEET HER FATHER?

1. Elsie relied on the promises in the Bible and did not give up hope.

The Bible gives us many promises that we can rely on during our times of waiting. King David said, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope." (Psalm 130:5) The Bible tells us that "everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4) 

Here are some promises from the Word of God that you can rely on when you are having to wait.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Therefore we do not lose heart.... For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:24-25)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. (Hebrews 11:1-2)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

2. Elsie trusted in God and His unfailing love and plans for her.

Sometimes it is not easy to trust others when we are feeling discouraged, disappointed or anxious in our waiting. But the Lord can be trusted. David said, "I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." (Psalm 52:8) 

Here are some more encouraging verses to help you trust in God.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever.... (Psalm 138:8)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:5-6)

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. (Psalm 33:18)

This is what the Lord says: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Joshua 1:5)

 3. Elsie took her burden to the Lord and accepted His provisions of comfort and strength during her waiting.

Everyone needs a friend with whom to share his or her burdens. The Scriptures tell us that God longs to be that friend - that He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love, and that He is always there. He is longing for us to come to Him. The Bible says, "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." (Psalm 62:8)

Here are some more words of comfort.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.... (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6

4. Elsie sought to be content in her situation.

Contentment is difficult when we feel a sense of incompleteness in our life because of something that we are anxiously waiting for. In our discouragement and disappointment, what we do not have grows larger and more important in our minds as time goes by. But like Elsie, we need to constantly remind ourselves of what we do have and focus on the good things that God has already given us.

Here are some verses to help you be content.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:2-5)

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (Titus 6:6)

[F]or I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:11-12)

I have strength for all things through Christ who empowers me. I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency. (Philippians 4:13 Amplified)

5. Elsie persevered.

If you don't like the word "perseverance" don't feel too bad. It might be because of that little word "severe" hidden in there! To persevere means to continue or persist in something despite obstacles, opposition or difficulties. By definition, perseverance is neither easy nor comfortable. The Scriptures have much to say about perseverance. Could it be that perseverance (or waiting) is good training?

Read the following verses that will encourage you to persevere.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36)

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us.... (Romans 5:2-5)

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm.... (James 5:7-8)

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure.... But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. (Corinthians 1:8-9)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3)

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. (Revelations 14:12)

Waiting might always be uncomfortable. But if we see the benefits in it, and we learn to wait patiently and expectantly, waiting can produce in us a form of godliness that we might not otherwise develop. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Hope in Him and watch for that special blessing or opportunity or benefit that will eventually come if we will allow the Lord's perfect will to be worked out in His perfect timing.