The Christian year begins with Advent, and it begins with waiting in darkness. Most of our culture jumps to Christmas skipping Advent, but when we do this, we miss an important piece of the story. None of us like to wait, but making the space for waiting adds to the joy of the coming of Christ.

Last week I heard some very disconcerting news on a phone call that sent me into a tailspin. My stomach filled with knots, my chest tightened, and I was feeling intense anxiety. What do you do in those situations? I read the Bible and sat before the Lord but felt no relief. I needed to have another call but had to wait five days. Trusting God in the time between calling out and receiving an answer is the challenge we face. Let's discuss how to get there.

W is for Wait. Why is waiting so difficult for humans? We order our lives around not waiting. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit because it marks faith in God’s sovereign goodness. Our growth in patience is a sign of our growing faith, but it comes with interior work and a recognition of God’s grace.