Lessons From A Waiting Room

Sunday, August 29, 2021
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Psalm 27:14 – Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (NLT)

Important lessons can be learned in waiting rooms.

My wife and I were once frequent flyers at the local emergency room, my wife because she experienced unexpected fluid gain and abdominal pain. One visit led to a brief stay in the hospital. My visit was due to a minor bleeding issue.

Although we learned some lessons from waiting in the emergency room, both of us agreed that we were tired of going there.

But we don't have to visit an emergency room or even a doctor's office to experience the benefits of waiting. Life is filled with waiting rooms of various sorts. It was so when the psalmist wrote today's verse.

In life's waiting rooms, I've learned that things don't often happen as quickly as I wish. This predicament develops what the psalmist calls patience — a worthy virtue, but not one that's always enjoyable to develop. A typical emergency room stay in our small town is four hours — as much as one hour in the waiting room itself, and then, three more waiting on doctors and nurses to do what they are going to do.

Waiting rooms have taught me that life is unfair: when I see people who don't have insurance and can't afford it; when I see people who've been abused by others or who've had crimes committed against them; when I see people addicted to drugs who are making a visit to get a pain fix; or when I see bodies mangled by wrecks.

Waiting rooms develop compassion in me. When I see and hear about the various conditions that bring people in for emergency care, my heart reaches out to them. I wish I could intervene. I thank God for His grace that has kept me from being in a similar situation.

In the waiting room, I learn that unfortunate situations often get better. Yes, some die in the emergency room, but many more are tended to in a way that eventually leads to their healing. Trials have an end, and God determines it.

Waiting rooms also remind me that I affect only a few of my life events. God, however, controls them all, and I must trust Him with the trial, the length of the trial, and the outcome.

When life puts you in the waiting room, take time to learn important life lessons.

Prayer: Father, give us the faith to trust You when You allow us to spend time in the waiting room. Amen.

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About the author:

Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Thank you.


    Amen Martin.


    Well said, Martin. Thank you.
    (Texas)


    Thank you, Martin, for encouraging us to learn from our time in God’s waiting rooms.


    Martin,
    Now I have a new perspective about waiting rooms. Thank you, Martin.


    An Excellent analogy Martin. Thank you.
    Keep Safe and Healthy.
    God be with you and your family.


    Yes, Martin, I knew this was you from its inclusiveness, strength and hope, sure fingerprints that you have been sharing your understanding. Thank you.


    Thank you, Martin, for this valuable message. Yes, patience is one I need to work on lots of times. But so true in waiting rooms we can see and learn so much about God’s mercy and the realization that we don’t have it as bad as others.
    God bless.


    Thanks, Martin for this encouragement to “hang in” as, after 3 months, we wait for an effective treatment in dealing with our son’s cancerous growth.
    The Lord bless you and keep your ministry with the DD alive!
    (BC)


    Lovely, Martin. So real and so important to know that our blessing is that God hears and responds when we pray, and our job is to pray – and then trust Him for the results. His Presence is a great benefit in our lives.
    Thank you, as always, for such ‘real life’ examples of all the benefits we receive from Him. Gid bless.


    Hi Martin,
    What an awesome devotional today. I can relate and it makes me more mindful that God is in control even when we are anxious and tired of waiting.
    Thank you for your work with giving us great devotionals to read. We are blessed that you take the time to write them.
    Blessings to you .
    (Ontario, Canada)


    Dear Martin,
    Patience is definitely something worth cultivating in our lives. Interesting how much understanding of others you have gained from waiting rooms. I have been blessed with spending very little time in waiting rooms and normally there with someone else and my focus was on them, so I did not gain the understanding of others that you did. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and helping us to grow in understanding that we can learn important life lessons everywhere. May God bless you and your loved ones.


    Greetings Martin,
    Thank you for another of your special writings. It sure brought back memories of my nursing days and especially shifts in the Emergency ward. Coming on shift, it was always unknown what situations would have to be dealt with and only God overseeing everything knew what would be encountered. Great comfort is felt knowing God is in control and we need be patient in waiting for His answer which is always the best for our situation. Blessings for the very meaningful and interesting writings you prepare for morning devotionals.


    Hello again Martin: Another wonderful message re ‘waiting rooms’. Yesterday I experienced just what you wrote about – dozens of people lined up at the emergency, awaiting treatments of all kinds. My wife and I were initially at the rear. She had broken her wrist.
    Patience is a virtue, however. Six hours later she was in the operating room. She’ll be released today after remaining over-night. We’re thankful for the success of her surgery despite the long wait. I’m also thankful for your message.
    (Ontario, Canada)

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