The waiting is the hardest part

Every day you see one more card

You take it on faith, you take it to the heart

The waiting is the hardest part

– American Philosopher, Tom Petty

Waiting …

There are a lot of things we wait for … material change like saving for a new home or a positional shift such as a promotion at work or a new job. Other times, we long for emotional or spiritual healing, such as the mending of a broken relationship or clarity regarding our direction and calling in life.

In general, waiting is a good thing; nearly everything worthwhile is worth waiting for. However, when the waiting moves from weeks to months or years, or even a lifetime, faith and hope can be challenged and gradually the door of our heart opens to feelings of anger and frustration that can lead to depression, anxiety, resignation, or complacency. The result being either medication or self-centered indulgence.

When the waiting drags on, the World and the Evil One tell us to focus on what your waiting for and that you don’t have to wait for it; you can have it now or make it happen (a subtle twist on Satan’s promise to Eve in the Garden of Eden). Unfortunately for many of us our experience in this fallen world has backed that up.

There was a time in my early teens when there was something that I wanted badly but there were two obstacles in the way. The first was that I didn’t have the money. The second was that for me to get it, my mother would need to buy it for me. It really doesn’t matter what it was, let’s just say it was significant.

And so, I made an agreement with my mom – if I saved up the money for it, she would buy it for me. Looking back, I think she agreed to buy it because she didn’t think I would ever save up the money; however, I did. But, in the end, my mom wouldn’t buy it for me.

In my anger and, I believe, to spite her, I spent the money on worthless things. Things I didn’t really want or need. In the grand scheme of things, it was a minor, singular event. But in my young teenage heart, it was a subtle betrayal that became a stumbling block that took me the better part of a lifetime to remove.

This one act created in me a spiritual stone over which I often stumbled without realizing it. It was a sense that I acted upon, not an idea that I logically considered or thought through. But it was no less solid than the Constitution of the United States. If I wanted something, I had to make it happen and I had better get it quickly because I couldn’t trust it to the future. It was all up to me, and in the toxic social mix of credit and marketing, I went down a painful path of debt and self-indulgence. Yes, the betrayal was a wound; but in my brokenness I chose to respond with self-centeredness.

As I have pursued healing in this area of my brokenness, I have found that where our eyes go our heart follows. If I focus on the thing [material, positional, emotional, or spiritual] whatever I don’t have but want it is easy to get frustrated and lose my way.

Instead, I have found a better way, focusing on the one who provides, “the Giver,” instead of the gift.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” – James 1:17

James tells us that every good and prefect gift is provided by a giver who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. One who does not change and can be trusted.

In the fall of 2019, Jesus gave me three simple words – “Eyes on Me.” At the time, I didn’t know what it meant but I listened and I practiced keeping my eyes on Jesus through reading scripture, conversational prayer, and separating from the World.

In March of 2020 COVID hit and while desperately wanting things to quickly return to “normal”; they didn’t. I could have focused on the disease, the masks, the lockdowns, or the elongated timelines, but Jesus’ words were a rescue. I kept my eyes on Him and He led me to safety. Through it all, I was able to safely navigate life during a crazy time in a fallen world in peace and steadiness. Yes, I experienced COVID like everyone else, and it cost me dearly for a time, but my eyes were elsewhere and my heart followed.

During crazy times in a fallen world, waiting can be hard, really hard. The World and Evil One tell us to focus on what we do not have or what we want. And in doing so, in striving to make things happen, it’s easy to get lost in the frustration and anger that often lead to anxiety and depression. The only solution I have found that actually works is shifting my gaze … from the thing I don’t have or the thing I want to the Giver of all things and the One who knows what I truly need. Jesus.

So, as we head into Easter, no matter where your heart is in this crazy, fallen world. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ whispers … “Eyes on Me.”

Three Miles An Hour!

Psalm 27:14

Isaiah 40:31

Lamentations 3:25

Matthew 11:28

John 7:37

Matthew 14:28-29

John 1:46

My book,

THE TOV HEART: God's Design for a Life Rooted in What Matters Most 

is available from Amazon here THE TOV HEART

You can get more information and download the first chapter free by clicking

THE TOV HEART Gift

It is my hope and prayer that you will be blessed and challenged to look for more with God - Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. No matter how much you think you have, there is always MORE! Godspeed!

Copyright © 2026 Ray Schmidt