What does this mean on my iPhone 4?

All of a sudden up by the Wi-Fi sign, the word searching (dot dot dot) is all I see. I don't know what's wrong with it. And not only that, if I get messages (say 8 in the morning) I don't receive them till I get home which could be hours later. Don't no what to do help me please?

Try to reset or turn it off and turn it back on. See if this helps.

other than that, sell it and buy a new one.