Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. 
Proverbs 13:2

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Throughout my life, there have been times when I called out to prayer—or lifted up something He put on my heart—and I expected Him to respond quickly.  When He didn’t move how I hoped within what seemed to be a reasonable time, it hurt and even angered me. If nothing else, it was tiring. This type of waiting and hoping can cause some people to give up on God, or even reject Him.

At least a few times, I pushed aside the waiting process to do or take whatever it was that I was waiting for, whether I asked for something or He indicated to me that He would provide. I learned the hard way that my impatience was reckless and foolish. It also revealed a lack of faith in Him and His provision.

Fortunately, over the years with the Holy Spirit’s help, I have learned to wait upon Him in peace and patient trust. Consequently, things are better in all areas of my life. For years, I longed to be married, and waiting was hard, but refining. God spoke through multiple friends that He would have me meet the right woman when I was ready. This was tremendously encouraging and enabled me to wait without forcing a relationship with the wrong one. In a really cool way, a couple of years later, He brought us together. Had I not waited in trust, I could have missed His blessings for both of us.

This is just one example of His planning and love for all of us who love Him. It inspires me to encourage others to wait upon our Lord for the best in their lives, whatever choices or needs they might have. We always have a choice to either continue our own self-defeating or self-frustrating choices, or to wait for God to love us and bless our lives and those linked to us.

Next Steps

Waiting for God to answer prayers or bring a vision to fruition is not meant to be a passive time. Rather, it is an active time of prayer, and often preparation and growth. If you are waiting for an answer to prayer, ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything you should be doing while you wait on God so that you will be ready to receive His blessing(s)?