How many of us check the tracking number directly after placing an online order? I am so guilty of this. I get so eager to receive the package that waiting for it seems like forever. It is such a tease to get the tracking number with the location of the package. It can become a bad habit that can be hard to break. This habit also carried over to my prayer life.

I was so eager for the outcome of my prayers that I found it difficult to enjoy the present moment. It felt like punishment to have to wait for an answer and the overall outcome. Sometimes being too outcome focused can lead us to weariness. I think we get so caught up on the outcome because we really do not want to submit to the process. The process of waiting is not for our punishment. It is for preparation. Waiting on God does not always mean waiting forever. In fact, God might respond very quickly. If the promises are according to His Will, God might be working in acceleration mode on our behalf. This is why it is important for us to be focused on the process as much as the outcome. Sometimes, it is not even about waiting on God as much as it is about God waiting on us to act on faith.

What you do today will affect tomorrow’s outcome. That does not mean that God will not fulfill His promises. However, it does mean you will not be ready to receive His promise. For example, let’s say you were praying for God to send your Kingdom Spouse. During your waiting season, you should use that time to prepare to be a husband or a wife. You have to ask yourself “If that blessing comes tomorrow, would I be ready?” If the answer is no, then you should use this time to look within yourself to focus on improvements you need to make. The worst thing that can happen is God giving you a blessing that you have to reject because you did not utilize your time properly. It is never God’s timing that is incorrect, but it is how we fail to manage the time that God has given us. The wait is not punishment. It is preparation.

The moral of the story is to focus on yourself, enjoy every stage of the process, and trust in God’s promises. Ask yourself “When has God ever failed me?” His answer is always yes as long as it aligns with His will for your life (2 Corinthians 1:20). Similar to receiving tracking notifications for your package, God has given you numerous confirmations that the promise is coming. The blessing is in the process of being shipped. During this time, you need to prepare for the delivery because it will be at your door sooner than you think. This is the time to use God’s guidance to be the best version of yourself.

Your only focus right now is to rest and to have faith that your prayer request has already been fulfilled. Obedience comes before understanding (Psalm 111:10). Be grateful for every season because it is given for a reason. Do not let the process discourage you. In fact, allow it to fill you with peace and joy because God is so good. The process might seem ugly now, but it is preparing you for your outcome.