Waiting anxiously for something? Why delays can be unexpectedly good

Tom Harper June 23, 2024

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Have you ever witnessed a car accident and realized it could've been you sitting there in shock, rather than that other poor person?

I've seen accidents happen in front of me. I've driven up on several that the police hadn't gotten to yet.

Every time, I pray for the protection of those involved. I also thank God for delaying me. if I had been at that location even just a few seconds earlier….

A delay can be God's will for you.

It was when Lazarus was sick and dying. In the story in John 11, Mary and Martha implore Jesus to come quickly to heal their brother.

Instead, Jesus stays where he was for two more days. During that time, Lazarus dies.

His sisters stop short of accusing Jesus that if he hadn't delayed, Lazarus would be alive.

But this delay was God's perfect will. In verse four, Jesus says this tragedy will lead to great glory for God. He also says in verse 14 that "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe."

Jesus, of course, makes good on his word. I wish I could've been there to see him miraculously call Lazarus out of the tomb. The collective gasp of all the onlookers must've been like a rushing wind.

Giving glory to God and saving people to eternal life were great reasons for Jesus to delay his arrival, don't you think?

These days, when my own plans are delayed, I know God's plan is better, and I ask him for grace to wait on him.

I never wait perfectly, but I'm glad when he slows me down.

In Christ,

Tom Harper
Founder, BiblicalLeadership.com
LinkedIn profile | Books

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

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Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More »

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