Some of you may be waiting for love, test results from your doctor, or even your dream job.

There are times in life when we feel like we are constantly waiting for something. For someone to pop into our lives, for something to happen. I am currently in a season of waiting. It is an uncomfortable feeling, but a few things have helped me along the way.

Waiting Patiently

Waiting for things that we want is very difficult. It is human nature to want something and to want it now. Patience truly is a virtue; it is hard to desire something and to have to be patient about it. We are hardwired to want instant gratification.

I am at a season in my life where I am waiting. Many things in my life right now are up in the air and as unsettled as that leaves me feeling, I know that it is a part of life. If we think about it, we are almost always waiting for something or someone.

Life Makes Us Wait

We may be waiting for the bus, our workday to be over, a green light at a traffic stop, we might be waiting for dinner, or our turn in line. Why don’t these types of situations cause anxiety while waiting? In these cases, we know that we will get what we want. There is no anxiety because we don’t have to guess whether or not our wants and needs will be met.

In other larger instances, we don’t know what the outcome will be. Unlike above, we know that the light will eventually turn green, we will eventually get off of work, and we will have dinner at some point. These larger situations in our lives can create a lot of turmoil and anxiety.

We start to wonder; will I find love? Will I get a job? Will my friend and I be able to work out a conflict? Our minds and imaginations go wild, and we start thinking of all possible scenarios. Will our test results come back with good news from the doctor? Am I going to have a future where I am financially secure?

What I Found Helpful

As I sit here and reflect on my season of waiting, here are some things that have helped me get through:

1. Acknowledging that we will always want and desire something that we cannot have immediately. Even when we do finally obtain what we are looking for, there will always be something else that we will want in the future. Knowing that even when we get the one thing that we need or want now, it doesn’t mean that we will be free from desire in the future. As humans, we are always longing for something.

2. Being distracted is a huge help. Get involved in activities, and hobbies, and socialize when possible. Being with others and keeping your mind busy makes waiting feel a lot shorter than when we sit and dwell on something.

3. Practicing mindfulness can help as well. When we see what we do have in the present moment, it can help us feel fulfilled and grateful instead of focusing on what we lack.

Closing Remarks

Perhaps one of the biggest things that can help is also the simplest and that is holding onto hope. If we haven’t lost hope, we are in pretty good shape! Life can truly change at any moment and what are desiring may just be a day away.

Most of the time, we do eventually get what we desire out of life, even if it’s not exactly what we wanted or the way that we expected it to end up being. When we do finally get our heart’s desire, it will be the most amazing feeling in the world!