Learning to Wait on God with Faith and Purpose
Waiting on God can be one of the hardest things to do. We pray, pour our hearts out, and bring our needs before Him, yet sometimes it feels like the answer will never come. In those seasons, we may wonder,
What am I supposed to do while I wait?
This blog is for those of you who find yourselves in a season of waiting and are looking for guidance on how to grow in faith while you wait on God.
What Does the Bible Say About Waiting on God?
The Bible has so much to say about waiting, and it's often a recurring theme. Scripture shows us that waiting on God is not a passive stance but an active one. Here are some key verses:
Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.”
Psalm 27:14: “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”
Lamentations 3:25-26: “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for
the salvation of the Lord.”
Each of these verses shows that waiting is not passive. It’s a time of strengthening, courage-building, and seeking God.
Why Waiting is a Part of God's Plan
Many times, we view waiting as a delay or a denial of what we want. But God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't make sense to us.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” God’s timing is about more than just when we get what we’re asking for; it's about preparing us for His plans and purposes. He uses waiting to refine our faith, deepen our trust, and align us with His will.
What Should We Do While We Wait?
Waiting on God doesn’t mean sitting around and doing nothing. Here are some practical and spiritual steps you can take:
Pray Consistently: Keep bringing your needs before God. Don’t just pray about the issue you’re waiting on; pray for God to shape your character, to build your faith, and to help you grow in the fruits of the Spirit.
Seek God in Scripture: The Bible is full of examples of people who had to wait on God. Read about Abraham waiting for a son, David waiting to become king, or Mary waiting for Jesus’ mission to unfold. Their stories will strengthen your faith.
Serve and Grow in Ministry: Often, God uses waiting seasons to open up doors for service. Serving others can be a way to channel your energy and attention into something productive while God works behind the scenes.
Reflect on God’s Faithfulness: Take time to remember how God has come through for you in the past. When you remember His past faithfulness, you can have confidence that He will be faithful again.
Trust in God’s Timing: Waiting is about letting go of control and believing that God’s plan is better. Trust that He sees what you cannot and has a purpose for this season.
A Story of Waiting: Sarah’s Journey of Faith
Let’s look at the story of a woman named Sarah who had to learn how to wait on God’s timing.
Sarah was a young Christian woman who dreamed of getting married and starting a family. She prayed earnestly about this, asking God to bring her the right person.
Year after year, her friends got engaged, got married, and started families. She celebrated with them, but she also felt the ache of her unfulfilled dreams.
Sarah was frustrated and wondered why God seemed silent.
She asked Him repeatedly, Why not me? Have you forgotten about me? But no answer came, and she didn’t see any clear sign of what to do next.
One day, during her morning prayer time, she read Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Sarah realized that, even though she had been praying, she hadn’t truly surrendered her desires to God. She wanted
things to happen her way, on her timeline.
That morning, Sarah made a decision to release her future to God. She decided to live fully in the season she was in, trusting that He would provide in His time. She
began to get involved in her church’s community outreach and poured herself into her career, mentoring younger women and teaching a Bible study. She found joy
in serving others and found that her season of waiting didn’t feel like waiting anymore—it felt like purpose.
After several years, Sarah met a man who shared her love for ministry and her devotion to Christ. Their friendship grew, and eventually, they married. Looking back,
Sarah could see that the years of waiting had been a season of preparation. God used that time to build her character, refine her faith, and align her path with
His perfect timing.
Sarah’s story reminds us that waiting isn’t about wasting time; it’s about growing and preparing for what God has in store.
Final Encouragement
If you’re in a season of waiting, know that God sees you. He hasn’t forgotten about you, and He is working on your behalf, even when you can’t see it. Waiting is a part
of His plan, not a detour. Keep your eyes on Him, continue to pray, serve, and seek His guidance.Remember that in the waiting, God is doing more than just preparing
an answer for you.
He is preparing you for the answer.
Nancy Phillips
