Waiting for Relief

 

Nothing truly prepares you for labor pains, no matter how many times you've experienced them. Last month, when I went into labor with our daughter, I was quickly reminded of how dreadful they are. At the hospital, all I could say to the nurse was, "Please, can I get the epidural now?" She calmly went through her procedures, promising anesthesia was on the way. Each time she asked a question, I pleaded for the anesthesiologist again. “You don’t understand, I need him now!”, I said. When he finally arrived, I said, "I'm ready. Where do I sign?" He smiled and replied, "You may be ready, but I need to go through a few things first." My husband said I gave the biggest eye roll. I had no other choice but to surrender to their procedures. Eventually, after reviewing the entire patient anesthesia handbook, I got the medicine and the relief I had been desperately waiting for.

We often approach God in the same attitude I begged for pain medicine—demanding immediate answers. In our desperation, we want Him to work on our schedule. But true change happens when we surrender and trust his guidance.

Naman of the Old Testament had to learn the same lesson.  When he arrived at the prophet Elisha's home, he expected the prophet to come out, lay his hands on him, and he would instantly be healed.  But the prophet sent Naman a messenger who told him he needed to go and wash himself in the Jordan seven times first. (2 Ki. 5)

There's deep symbolism in the conditions the prophet gave. Washing in the Jordan represents our need for spiritual cleansing. Scripture teaches that this cleansing happens as we abide in God's word. Just like I had to patiently review the handbook before receiving relief, we often need a thorough immersion in God's word—sometimes repeatedly, more than once. 

Naaman grew frustrated with the wait, just as we often do. But he soon realized that his healing was directly connected to his humility and in obeying the prophet’s instructions. Our breakthroughs, too, often come when we surrender and follow God's requirements, even when it means there is waiting involved.