Our lives include a lot of waiting. Some of those times are easier than others. This past  Saturday, I took my brother, who lives in Dallas, to the hospital for his second hip replacement. I took him in six years ago when he had the left one replaced, and he let the right one go too long (in my opinion) before having it done. We had a rather significant snowfall for our area that shut things down for a few days before that. I was going to drive down early Saturday morning to take him, but the icy conditions and a forecast of roads freezing over again during the night led me to go down Friday afternoon so that I would not have to drive sixty miles in the early morning on “black ice.”

The next morning I took him on mostly clear roads without incident. He was told to be there at 5:30 a.m. for his 8 a.m. operation. He was a bit apprehensive, but ready to get it done. One of the doctors told me it would take about 45 minutes to an hour. We prayed with the doctor, then I went out to the waiting room. His surgery started on time. And I waited. And waited. An hour came and went. Fifteen minutes later, still no news. I prayed and wondered if there was a complication. Another fifteen minutes and still no word. Ten minutes more and still nothing. The waiting wears on you and your imagination starts to run wild. Family members texting and asking if you have heard anything yet adds to your concern. Then an aide asked me to come back to the consultation room. I waited there for the doctor to arrive. When he came in, he said everything was fine. He asked if I had any questions, so I asked if there was a problem that caused it to take so long. He said something about his anatomy presented a challenge and they couldn’t use the prosthesis they intended to use and had to get a different one which wasn’t designed to be inserted in an anterior incision like they had made but he managed to make it work and everything was good. And it was. An hour later I was in my brother’s room and the physical therapist had him up and walking with a walker and he was doing great. Sunday morning he was home again.

As I reflected on this, I realized that the surgeon had a totally different perspective than I did. He was in control of the procedure and had the knowledge and skill to do what was necessary to accomplish the desired result. But I was “left in the dark” as it were while I was waiting. I didn’t have all the information that I was craving. Nor did I need it.

I think that is how it is in our relationship with God. He is in control and doesn’t tell us everything we want to know. He tells us what we need to know, and He takes care of everything in the way that will be best for His children. That is best displayed in the person and work of Jesus. God did exactly what was needed to satisfy His judgment against our sin in a way that would enable us to be forgiven, rescued, redeemed and saved. Jesus paid it all and we get the benefit of His payment by putting our faith and trust and confidence in Him.

When you find yourself waiting for something, and the anxiety starts to creep in, remember the who is in control. You are in a loving relationship with Him because of your faith in Jesus. He will care for you. Reflect on and take consolation from these passages.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Lamentations 3:25 (NASB95) The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God is in control. Always. Trust Him.