See if you can relate to any of this ....

I've had two serious relationships in eight years.

I've been broken up with twice in eight years.

I've been engaged once in six years.

I've had an engagement end once over two years ago.

I haven't been on one date in two years.

I'll be in my third wedding this year.

My best friends are planning for children and I'm still looking for a job.

I'm ready for a relationship ... but, I've been told to wait.

Maybe you can't relate to those specific things ... but, I'd argue that if you made it to this point of the article, it's because you're waiting to see what I have to say in response to that crappy list.

The reason I mentioned any of those things is to say that I know with certainty, when it's finally my turn to go on a date so good I smile for a week or when I get to post the "I'm engaged!" status and wear the white dress or when I get to tell my friends and family that "I got my dream job!" ... I'll know why I had to go through broken relationships, a failed engagement, and going without a job for what seems like forever .... the key is, I just have to wait.

Nobody ever wants to wait for the good stuff to happen to them ... like come on. If you knew you would one day become a millionaire, wouldn't you want to jump start that plan now so you can become a millionaire sooner? Sure, I think we all would. But, God tells us that it isn't in our successes that we become who we are. No, he says that it is in our trials and tribulations that His destiny for us is revealed. Isn't that cool? Doesn't that make the waiting seem a little more hopeful?

Here are a few things that God says about waiting both through and after the bad moments in your life have happened and what to do while you're there:

Proverbs 3:5-6 ○ "Trust in the Lord will all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Here's the thing ... God never said that your life would be easy. He never said that you weren't going to go through bad things and that those bad things wouldn't hurt you. No. Actually, he knew we would be tested and tempted all our lives. He knew we would be given the choice to make our own way or wait and call upon Him for understanding. And, all He's ever told us in response to all of that is to "trust Him." But, sometimes in our waiting, trusting someone else is difficult. Heck, trusting ourselves is difficult especially when we don't know whether to listen to our heart or our mind. But, He says that if you trust in Him, he will show you which path to take. But, trusting in Him takes time and in that is waiting. Just "trust Him."

Romans 12:12 ○ "Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying."

God doesn't tell us to get lazy while we're waiting. He doesn't tell us to feel sorry for ourselves. He doesn't tell us to whine or put down other people because our problems are bigger than theirs. No. He tells us to be confident and nonetheless, to be confident in hope - hope for God and hope for His plans. He tells us to be patient in our troubles and to keep on praying. If there's anything that's getting me through my period of waiting ... it's prayer - talking to God, crying to God, telling him my frustrations with His plans ... He always listens. But, still he tells me "just wait."

2 Peter 3:9 ○ "The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake."

Don't question God while you're waiting. Kind of like when your mom tells you "don't do that because I said so," God says "Trust me because I said I would." Just know that He is preparing you for something greater. You may not know what "greater" looks like but He does. Don't forget that. He knew who you were and what you were meant to do before time even began. If He gave me what I was really meant for right now, I'm about 95% positive that I'd ruin it because I'm not ready yet. Can't you trust him for just a second and just be patient while he helps you unfold the masterpiece that is your life?! A moment of patience for a lifetime of goodness in His plan .... yeah, I think I can wait.

And lastly ...

James 1:12 ○ "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

You see, God doesn't promise that your waiting is going to be easy. He doesn't promise that your waiting will be one day or ten years. He doesn't tell us when our waiting will end. But, he does assure us that our waiting will end. If we are faithful to Him in our waiting, He will reveal a plan that you didn't even know you wanted. He will reveal a life for you that you never imagined in your wildest dreams.

The waiting will end. The pain will subside. Your past will stay in the past. Your future will be bright. And, all He asks is that through it all ... you're faithful. You pray to Him. You lift up others in their trouble rather than putting them down for yours. You rejoice with them and for God. And you remain steadfast during the good and bad times. That's it.

So, you remember that list I wrote out at the beginning of this article? Yeah, I could say it doesn't matter but, what God has taught in all of those times of trouble and waiting is, He's always there and His plan is always good even when my situation hasn't been.

So, for now, I'll wait because in the end, what I gain will have been well worth the wait.