When you read your Bible, you'll find plenty of stories about people who learned about waiting and trusting.
A religious leader knew his daughter was dying. He ran to Jesus and begged him to come to his house and heal her. Of course, Jesus agreed.
And then something distracted him. As the crowd jostled him, Jesus asked a question. "Who touched me?" he said.
Peter helpfully pointed out that Jesus was surrounded by people. Of course someone touched him.
Jesus replied that he felt power go out from him.
And the man with the daughter who was dying died a little himself as he waited for Jesus.
The woman who had touched Jesus stepped forward. She had been bleeding for 12 years. She had been banished from her community because she was unclean. Her best hope was to touch Jesus and trust him to heal her.
Jesus honored her faith, forgave her sins and healed her disease. He restored her to her community.
That exchange took just long enough for the man's servants to arrive and tell him that his daughter had died. Hope evaporated.
Then Jesus spoke. "Do not fear," he said. "Only believe and she will be well."
That took a tremendous amount of faith on the part of the father. Nevertheless, he led Jesus and his disciples to his daughter's bedroom.
When Jesus saw the girl, he said, "Child arise." Her spirit returned to her body and she arose and got out of bed.
Jesus did this miracle in front of Peter, James and John as well as the girls parents. This supernatural sign strengthened their faith and caused them to believe that Jesus was the Messiah.
While God's timing is perfect, waiting is hard on your thoughts, your emotions and your faith.
When you pray and wait and God says yes, take time to thank him for his answers.
When you pray and wait and God says no, you can still thank him for his answers. He promised to bring good out of your sorrow. Ask him to show you, and start looking for it.