The Waiting Game: Three Mistakes to Avoid

Hello Friends,

Welcome back on another journey towards a Steady Mind.

While some may beg to differ, waiting can be one of the most irritable and challenging tasks that most of us face. Whether we are waiting in line, waiting on help, waiting on opportunities or waiting on a breakthrough, the task at hand seems to constantly put us in an anxious state.

Impatience isn't a trait that we should desire to retain or foster, but it is one that makes us human in nature. Living in a fast paced world can sometimes make us feel that we are entitled to instantaneous results and speedy recoveries.

But, waiting takes a measure of vulnerability and dependence that brings a level of discomfort. Most times, our reason behind our impatience is a deep desire to be relieved of that discomfort rather than to simply move on to "the next."

The reality is, though we serve an eternal God, until we transition into eternity, we are all bound by time (but, not our timelines). In some form or fashion, we all have our turns at playing "The Waiting Game." While there are many ways to play, rules to abide by and cheat-codes for succession, I've learned three (3) mistakes that will make the game a misery for you:

Mistake One: Settling for the Counterfeit

I get it. We are all searching for that riveting moment. That one point in our lives where the ducks seem to finally align. The point where everything seems to make sense, the upside to the downside has officially arrived, and there is finally that moment of *exhales peacefully* - escape!

While all of this is simultaneously exhilarating and fulfilling (as it seems), we must be sure that we have truly encountered an authentic reality and not a counterfeit that would set us back on our journey. It is better to wait on what is genuine than to fill yourself with distractions that cloud your judgement and waste your time.

If you are engaging with someone or something for the sake of escape and purpose, ask yourself this: is the short-term satisfactions worth the long-term hinderances?

Mistake Two: Falling for the Trap of Comparison (and Jealousy)

You are not like anyone else this world has ever seen. No matter the similarities, resemblance or close proximities. You were created with a different path in mind and a different purpose. You are second to none. Comparing yourself to those on a different path and timeframe is one of the greatest distractions and hinderances to waiting.

I always walk around with the reminder that you can never miss an opportunity when you walk closely with the God of opportunities. Laser focus on what you are in the process of producing relinquishes us from the view that others are obtaining what we should have. The time and effort spent on comparing yourself to others should be allocated in your focus to remain in position and preparation for what lies ahead.

Mistake Three: Not Preparing for What You are "Waiting On"

Waiting isn't just about finding things to "pass the time," it's about using the time to prepare for the opportunity you are waiting on. It is quite possible to find yourself in extended seasons when you don't grasp the concept of leaning in and focusing. Practice makes progress, and you will only be able to execute what you spend time developing.

Building the capacity to see yourself functioning in what you are waiting to manifest and operating from that space, makes all the difference. As you await moments, opportunities, breakthroughs and transitions, it is important that you are fully prepared to welcome them when they knock on your door.

CONCLUSION

What if "the wait" is less about the process itself and more about how you are formed by it? At times we can believe that God intentionally turns a deaf ear and a blind eye towards our situations, casually tossing us in a box until He "remembers" that we are there and waiting on rescue and relief.

When in reality, He sees, hears and understands. He knows the beginning and the end and simultaneously delights in the details of your life (Psalms 37:23). Every moment, every second, every emotion, every gain and every lost is not haphazard, but is being used to mold you into His image and prepare you for all that He has empowered you to do and called you to be.

God gives us grace to play The Waiting Game because in reality, He is with us in every season and each one is just as important as the next.

But the people who trust (wait upon) the Lord will become strong again. They will be able to rise up as an eagle in the sky. They will run without needing rest. They will walk without becoming tired.

Isaiah 40:31 ICB

Here's to a Steady Mind!