Problem with cell service

Did it only happen when you are on cell signal or on Wi-Fi as well?

Can you check if the app is allowed to use cell signal? Go to Settings > Apps > Messenger > Mobile data & Wi-Fi and ensure "Background data" is toggled ON.

And check to see if the phone is set on “data saver” mode or not.  

Is your cell service generally not great where you're causing poor data service? Do you find the same experience when the phone is connected to WiFi? 

Messenger messages are data based. Are you regular text messages working fine? 

It happens on both WIFI and cell signal. As for regular text messages, I don’t seem to be having the problem. But I forgot to mention that I have the same issue with emails (gmail). 

How is googling in a web browser or other data based apps? Are they working? 

What phone do you have? 

Have you gone to settings and making sure you allow these apps to use data on your phone? 

Yes I did, everything is set properly. Always was. The problem started about a month ago  and  seems to happen randomly. 

Can you try a phone from your friend or family member, and try to insert your sim in their phone (and they can insert theirs into your phone) and see if the issue follows your device or your sim?

If that happened intermittently, it will be a little tough to pinpoint the cause. I recommend you document the status of the network (how many bars of signal and which specific app has an issue). As well, make sure the phone isn’t on a certain “smart mode” where it tries to save data or power. 

Also, did you have a chance to reset the network settings of the phone?