November 17: Waiting Well

 

Br. Dexter Williams 
Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church 

Scripture: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

There are seasons in our lives when it seems as if everything is at a standstill. We pray, we hope, we look forward to change, yet the door just does not open. Waiting is not always comfortable. In fact, waiting often reveals the deep places within us; our fears, our doubts, our impatience, and sometimes our frustration with God Himself.

I experienced such a season when I longed to attend college. The desire was strong, but every step toward it seemed blocked. No acceptance. No progress. I began to wonder if perhaps it simply wasn’t God’s will. But God’s message to my heart was not no, it was wait. In His perfect timing, He opened the way, and I began college on August 28, 2000.

However, just days later, I celebrated my birthday on the 2nd of September and on the  5th my excitement turned to confusion and disappointment. During Physical Education class, I broke my leg. Pain and frustration filled my heart.

“Lord, after I waited so long, how could You allow this?”

It was difficult to understand. Sometimes trusting God does not mean understanding His timing, it means surrendering to Him even when we do not understand.

As I walked around campus on crutches, struggling physically and emotionally, God shifted my perspective. One day while traveling home, I saw a man with only one leg. In that moment, clarity flooded my heart. I realized that although I was temporarily limited, I would walk again. The Holy Spirit whispered:

“I am still with you. I am protecting you. This is not punishment, this is purpose.”

My waiting was not wasted.

My delay was not denial.

My setback was shaping my faith.

Even with crutches, I continued forward. I still sang with my gospel group, The Harmonizers, ministering through music. I still participated in class, even serving a volleyball with a cast on my leg. I chose praise over pity, trust over bitterness, strength over defeat. And God renewed my strength, just as He promised.

What Does It Mean to Wait Well?

1. Recognize that waiting has a purpose: God sees what we cannot. His delays are often protections and preparations.

2. Keep moving in faith: Waiting is not inactivity. It is trusting while still obeying.

3. Shift your perspective: One moment of clarity can turn frustration into thanksgiving.

4. Surrender the outcome to God: His plan is always better,even when it is different from ours.

Reflection

• Where in your life are you growing impatient?

• What might God be protecting you from or preparing you for during this waiting season?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to wait well. Strengthen our hearts when we become weary or impatient. Teach us to trust Your timing even when we do not understand Your ways. Renew our faith as You promised, lift us above discouragement and doubt. Let our waiting reveal Your goodness, Your purpose, and Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Remember

Waiting is not God withholding from you.

It is God preparing you for what He has already prepared for you.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."