THE DELAYS OF LIFE

There are many things that frustrate us in our lives. For example, when we have something wrong with us, and the doctor is having a hard time figuring it out, it can eat away at our sanity. When a doctor sends us to get tested for a fatal disease, and we have to wait for days to find out the results, it is very frustrating because we want to know now. High School students have to go through a process to get accepted at certain colleges, and they have to wait for a letter to see if they get in.

I can give many more examples of how frustrating life's delays can be, but there is no need because all of us have experienced delays. What is important is how we deal with such delays. Sometimes, we allow the delays to worry us so much that we make ourselves miserable. Some tend to be on edge and will jump all over you for no reason because they are so tense. Others stay angry until the delay is over. Having to wait on things can bring out many bad emotions.

While we may struggle with the frustration of delays, one thing that can help us deal with the delays of life and not allow them to consume us is remembering who we have on our side. Isaiah says:

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.  4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. 

The next time we start feeling frustrated about a delay, remember that God is there for us. He can give us strength and peace when we trust in Him. Jesus said:

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

I know how frustrating it can be when we want results or answers right away, but there is no need for us to worry or allow ourselves to act out from our frustrations because we belong to the Lord. We can know that when we trust Him and turn our frustrations over to Him, He will make everything work out for the best. As Paul said:

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

This does not mean we will get quick results. You can look at many examples from the Old Testament when the answer to prayer did not happen until several generations later. For example, it took several generations for God to raise Moses up to free His people. This delay was not a no from God. It was Him saying, not yet. With our limited scope of things, we must put our trust in God’s timing and realize that He will make the best thing happen even out of tragic situations. It is not always easy for us to accept this, but we must if we truly trust in God.

When we have the proper faith in God, then we can be confident that our problems are in God’s hands. Even if the results we get are not what we want, we can know that God is there for us. Even if the results say we will die at a young age, we can still rejoice, knowing we will be with the Lord a little sooner than most. As Paul said:

Philippians 1:23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

Delays are part of life, and so is bad news, but when we learn to trust in the Lord, we will handle the delays of life with our heads held high and have hope even when we receive bad news. Let us strive each day to allow God to strengthen us and help us through life’s frustrations.

When you really put things into perspective and realize that this life of ours is but a vapor in time, but eternity will be forever, it will help us to keep our focus on God. I love what Paul wrote:

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

Let us keep these words close to our hearts as we deal with life's delays. I want to close with Jesus' comforting words.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."