A man’s car once stalled in heavy traffic just as the light turned green. All of his efforts to start his car failed. A chorus of honking rose from the cars behind him. Feeling just as frustrated as the other drivers and eager to get going, he finally got out of his car and walked back to the first driver and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to get my car started. If you’ll go up there and give it a try, I’ll stay here and blow your horn for you.”

The impatient person rarely makes another person go faster or arrive earlier. Rather, the effects are nearly always negative – to others as well as to the impatient person. Accidents occur more often in haste. Ulcers, headaches, and other health problems develop more quickly. Relationships also become more strained.

Over the years, I have spent some time in God’s waiting room. It is in those situations that God develops patience, teaches us a vital lesson, or prepares us for His divine purpose for our life. Joseph waited 13 years in prison before God promoted him to his next assignment. Moses waited 40 years in the desert before being sent by God to deliver the Hebrews from slavery. The Son of God was submissive to Mary and Joseph and worked as a carpenter for 30 years before beginning his public ministry. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8, 9).

Perhaps we don’t like the word patience because we think patience means sitting around twiddling our thumbs, doing nothing. Years ago pregnant women were called “women in waiting”. Today she may be referred to as “expecting”. As she waits the nine months for the delivery day, she may be uncomfortable. But she endures because she is joyfully expecting. She makes preparations by selecting baby clothes, providing a nursery or perhaps thinking of names for the new arrival. Meanwhile inside her body things are changing. The baby is growing and her body is preparing for delivery. She is a “lady in waiting”. Patience is required. There is joy in anticipation.

It is so vital that we develop patience. “Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:3, 4).

Read James chapter one and notice six products of patience (vv 1-18), and six enemies to patience (vv 19-17).

First, in God’s waiting room we must learn to have joy while we wait. “Consider it joy when you encounter various trials” (James 1:2 NASB). Why would an expectant mother count it joy through all the discomfort? It’s for the joy of the baby to come. In God’s waiting room we can either pace or praise. Paul and Silas praised God while waiting in a dark dungeon. (See Acts 16; Nehemiah 8:10; Philippians 4:4; I Thessalonians 5:18.)

Secondly, there is the test of God’s timing and trust. What happens to a butterfly or a baby released from their snug cocoon prematurely? They risk weakness or death. Abraham and Sarah learned that lesson the hard way. (See Genesis 15 and 16.)

Thirdly, wisdom is developed. Wisdom comes through experience, prayer, and the study of God’s Word (James 1:5). Ask God to show you what He wants to teach you in the situation(s) you find yourself in.

Fourthly, steadfastness and endurance are developed in God’s waiting room (James 1:4, 6, 8). Moses endured by “seeing Him that is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). Champions are able to see that which others do not see. Don’t give up or waver. See God at work.

Fifthly, in God’s waiting room you develop a belief in the goodness of God (James 1:16, 17). Job became known for his patience and belief in the goodness of God. (See Job 1:18, 20, 22; 2:10.) David discovered God’s goodness in waiting. (See Psalm 23:6; 27:13; Romans 8:28.)

Sixthly, God develops humility in His waiting room. Perhaps the greatest enemy to patience is pride (James 1:9-11). Moses was called “the meekest man on the face of the earth”. But it took 40 years in the desert for God to develop him for his assignment. It is in the darkroom where a photograph is developed. Are you waiting in the darkroom? Develop! Let God develop the image of Jesus in you.

At the last supper Jesus took the role of a servant when He took the towel and washbasin and washed the feet of the disciples. He told us that those who would be great in the kingdom of God must humble themselves and in like manner become a servant. Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death on the cross for you and me (Philippians 2:8, 9).

Are you in God’s waiting room? Rejoice! Be patient. God is not finished with you yet. Let God develop you. Surrender your life to Christ.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9, 10).