THE WAITING ROOM: Where Delay Meets Divine Purpose

Is God's delay a denial? Most of us view waiting as lost time, but in the economy of Heaven, the "waiting room" is a place of transformation. Drawing from a deeply personal story at a cancer center, C. Atkinson explores why your most frustrating delays might actually be divine appointments designed to mature your character and reach a lost soul.

C. Atkinson

12/6/20233 min read

“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 40:31

Have you ever sat in a doctor’s office and watched the minutes tick by far past your appointment time? I remember sitting in a waiting room once, watching person after person who arrived after me get called in while I remained in my chair. My "human side" began to stir. I felt impatient and frustrated, wondering if I should head to the front desk to demand an explanation.

In that moment of irritation, the Lord began to speak to my heart. He reminded me of Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

The wait felt unfair to my eyes, but God wanted me to be still. He reminded me that in the Kingdom, nothing in the waiting is wasted. We all have our plans, but have you ever considered that a delay might be a divine tool used by God to fulfill a more perfect plan?

The Benefits of the Waiting Room

While you are in the "waiting room" of life, ask the Lord to open your eyes to His will. Look beyond the disappointment and tell yourself: “There is a divine appointment with God in every disappointment.” James, the servant of Jesus, encourages us to consider trials as pure joy (James 1:2-5). The testing of our faith produces perseverance, which matures us until we lack nothing. If we stay the course, the waiting room yields incredible fruit:

Spiritual Maturity & Character Development
Endurance & Patience
Supernatural Peace & Integrity
Opportunities to minister to others in the same "room"

A Divine Encounter at Sloan Kettering

I have a testimony from 2019 that I love to share. I was at Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan with my mother, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We were there for a second opinion, and the atmosphere in the waiting room was heavy.

As I sat there, I noticed a woman who looked utterly defeated—depressed and worried. I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to sit beside her. We began to talk as if we had been friends for years. As we shared our stories, I felt a surge of urgency to tell her about the hope found in Jesus. I offered to pray with her; she grabbed my hand, and we prayed right there.

What a joy for my soul! The Lord revealed that even in our own time of crisis, we are still servants called to the Great Commission. I believe a seed was planted that day. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6, one person plants and another waters, but God gives the increase.

Don't Despise the Process

We serve a sovereign Lord who wants nothing but the best for His children. He desires to see us grow deeper and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

The legendary Andre Crouch sang, "Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus." We must lean not on our own understanding but acknowledge Him in every delay (Proverbs 3:5). Embrace the test, knowing that you will come out on the other side as pure gold.

Are you in a waiting process right now? Is your faith being tested by a "no" or a "not yet"? Lift your head! Faith is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Look past the present delay and keep your eyes on the promise.

A Prayer for the Wait

Dear Jesus, We know we are just pilgrims passing through this world in need of Your salvation. Help us to be steadfast and unmovable, knowing our labor is never in vain. As we sit in the "Waiting Room," help us acknowledge that You are always working for our good. Lift the hearts that are weary and strengthen the bodies that are weak. Let us take hold of Your perfect love and walk with our lamps burning bright. Be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.