Online Reporter
ONE thing that I dreaded more than anything else when I was little was visiting the clinic or hospital.
The moment I stepped in, my heart would pound like a drum.
The sight of white-clad nurses bustling by, the cold, clinical scent of antiseptic, the occasional cough — all created a tense atmosphere. But nothing unnerved me more than sitting on that long wooden bench with my mother, waiting.
It was these waiting moments that truly tormented me.
I would watch, wide-eyed, as child after child was called in, along with their guardians. Moments later, their high-pitched cries of pain would echo down the hallway, confirming my worst fears. To my young mind, the waiting room was a place of dread — a place where anxiety ballooned with each shift on the bench towards the inner room, wherein the “unspeakable” was happening.
Years later, I realised that life itself often brings us back to that same kind of waiting room, though now, it’s not injections we fear, but uncertainty, delay and silence. The setting may have changed, but the feeling remains the same.
We find ourselves waiting for a job opportunity, a life partner, healing from illness, or any kind of a long-prayed — for breakthrough. And just like my younger self, we sit on the bench of life — nervous, restless, and full of deep worry. But here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace: our attitude in the waiting room matters more than we realise.
It’s easy — so easy to let bitterness creep in when answers seem delayed. Our hearts grow heavy. We compare our timelines to others. We begin to doubt whether what we hoped for will ever come. Frustration builds as faith wears thin.
Yet the waiting room is not a punishment — it’s a place of preparation.
Agreed, waiting is rarely comfortable, but it is incredibly necessary. It is in these quiet, uncertain stretches of time when our faith deepens, our character is refined and our strength built. It’s where we are shaped to not only receive the blessing but to steward it well when it comes.
You see, when a hurried blessing comes too early, and you are not yet ready to handle its weight, it may become a disaster for you. But a blessing that arrives after a season of growth? That one stays, multiplies and transforms.
So, if you’re in your own waiting room right now, I want to encourage you: Don’t let frustration poison your heart and don’t let anxiety steal your peace.
Rather than resist the waiting, choose to wait well. Lean into this season with patience and grace. Guard your heart jealously and do not be robbed of the beauty in the now. There is something sacred in the present moment — something worth noticing. Pay attention to what’s around you. Listen to the lessons, however subtle they may be. Take care of your spirit.
Focus on becoming the best version of yourself, even if the road ahead is uncertain. It is not the end of your story; it is the time to heal, to reset, and to blossom. It is the place where your next chapter is being written. A chapter marked by strength, clarity, and divine timing.
In the 1980s, Steve Jobs was ousted from Apple, the company he co-founded. This period of waiting and uncertainty could have been devastating, but Jobs used it as an opportunity for growth and preparation. It is reported that he reflected on his mistakes, learned from others and developed new skills such that when Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, he was better prepared to lead the company to innovation and success.
Sometimes, what may seem like an injustice is actually an opportunity for you to grow, learn and prepare for your ultimate success. The waiting room may feel endless, but don’t walk out before your name is called.
Your turn is coming and when it does, you’ll understand why the wait was necessary. The breakthrough ahead will be sweeter, deeper and more fulfilling than you imagined —because you allowed yourself to be prepared for it. You didn’t just wait, you grew.
For feedback contact Mildred Mutize on [email protected]/ +263773637284
