There are many, many verses in the Bible about being patient and waiting.
“Love is patient” (1 Cor 13:4)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Rom 12:12)
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Rom 8:24-25)
“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thess 5:14)
“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, because the Lord’s coming is near.” (James 5:7-8)
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” (Ps 37:7)
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” (Ps 40:1)
“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Is 40:31)
God knew we would have trouble with waiting. It’s human nature. It’s not easy, but if we turn to Him he will give us the endurance that we need to wait.
Right now it’s been almost 60 hours since I’ve heard from my husband. Their internet went out for a couple days, and while I know it’s back up now, I still haven’t heard from him (what, is he working over there or something? *grin*). I know 2.5 days is not that long, and I know many have gone for weeks and weeks without talking to their spouse, but I had been spoiled getting to talk to him every day so far. Multiple times a day, even.
But in moments like this – and there will be many, many more times during this deployment that I don’t hear from him for days – I have a choice to make. I can choose to complain, to build up resentment and bitterness, to be jealous of my friends who have talked to their husbands. To let the enemy win.
Or, I can wait patiently, and ask God to give me the strength and endurance that I need during this time. He is so faithful to do just that! This is a time for me to grow as well.
So, while I am looking so forward to talking to my Love again – I am not going to let it stop me from living. I thought I might hear from him yesterday afternoon, but I wasn’t sure, so I went swimming with friends. Glad I went, because he wasn’t able to call. So instead of waiting around letting my emotions get to me – we had a great day! Today is the same. I could stay here, “just in case” he is able to call, but that would only do harm to myself and to Emily. Instead, we are going to a friend’s house to have prayer time for our husbands and then hitting the pool.
It’s a choice.
I miss him terribly, and he is my life, my love, my best friend. But he has a job to do, and he will call when he can. I know that. I trust that. He doesn’t want me to sit around waiting either. He wants me to wait patiently, cheerfully. That means going on with my day and we’ll connect when we can.
I am choosing patience and trust over bitterness and resentment. I hope you will do the same.
“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.” (Prov 3:5-6)