What To Do When God Says WAIT: A Guide to Trusting His Timing

Picture of Marissa Leinart
Marissa Leinart

When God calls us into a season of waiting, it can feel like life is standing still. We wonder why things aren’t moving forward or why the prayers we’ve whispered don’t seem to be answered. But here’s the truth: the waiting period is not wasted time. It’s where God does His deepest work in us, preparing us for what’s ahead.

Waiting isn’t stagnation; it’s transformation. It’s a sacred time when God is molding our hearts, shaping our character, and aligning our desires with His perfect plan. Let’s explore how God uses this in-between time to refine and prepare us for the future He’s already planned.


Why the Waiting Period Matters

When we’re in a season of waiting, it’s tempting to believe that nothing is happening. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating details we can’t even imagine. He’s not just preparing the blessings we’re waiting for—He’s preparing us to receive them.

  • Spiritual Growth: The waiting period stretches our faith and draws us closer to God.
  • Character Refinement: God uses this time to prune away anything that doesn’t align with His will.
  • Building Patience: Patience is more than a virtue; it’s a fruit of the Spirit that strengthens us for the journey ahead.

Waiting is never about punishment or delay for its own sake. It’s a time for purposeful transformation. Think of it as God’s workshop, where the tools of faith, trust, and surrender are sharpened.


God’s Work Behind the Scenes

Imagine watching a play. The curtains are drawn, and the stage appears empty. But behind those curtains, the cast and crew are bustling. Props are being moved, actors are preparing, and the director is giving final instructions. This is a picture of what’s happening during our waiting seasons. God is the ultimate director, arranging everything for His glory and our good.

Here are a few things God might be doing while we wait:

  • Shaping Our Hearts: He’s cultivating humility, gratitude, and perseverance.
  • Aligning Circumstances: God’s timing is perfect. He’s aligning people, places, and opportunities so they’ll be ready at the right moment.
  • Deepening Our Trust: Waiting forces us to lean not on our own understanding but on God’s promises.

When we trust that God is working behind the scenes, it shifts our perspective. Waiting becomes less about frustration and more about anticipation.


Waiting Is Not Stagnation

It’s easy to feel stuck when you’re waiting. But waiting is not the same as standing still. It’s an active process that requires faith, prayer, and intentionality.

Here’s what waiting looks like:

  • Seeking God Daily: Spending time in His Word and prayer to align your heart with His.
  • Listening for His Voice: Quieting your soul to hear His gentle whispers.
  • Obeying His Commands: Acting on the things He’s called you to do now, even as you wait for the next step.

Waiting seasons can be some of the most fruitful times in our lives. They teach us to depend on God in ways we never have before. Instead of viewing waiting as a pause, see it as a time of preparation and growth.


Transformation in the Waiting

The most beautiful part of waiting is the transformation that happens within us. God isn’t just concerned with getting us to our destination; He’s shaping us into the people He’s called us to be.

Here’s how God changes us in the waiting:

  1. Refining Our Faith: Waiting deepens our reliance on God’s promises, even when we can’t see the outcome.
  2. Strengthening Our Character: Trials during the waiting period build endurance, humility, and grace.
  3. Teaching Us Patience: God’s timing is rarely the same as ours, but His timing is always perfect.
  4. Realigning Our Priorities: Waiting gives us space to evaluate what truly matters and let go of distractions.

As we lean into God during this time, we begin to see His hand at work—not just in our circumstances but in our hearts.


How to Thrive in the Waiting Season

If you’re in a season of waiting right now, know this: you can thrive even while you wait. It’s not about merely enduring; it’s about growing, trusting, and preparing for what’s next.

Practical Ways to Thrive:

  • Stay Rooted in Scripture: Let God’s Word be your anchor during uncertain times.
  • Develop a Prayer Habit: Use this time to deepen your communication with God.
  • Focus on Gratitude: Look for the blessings in the present moment and thank God for them.
  • Serve Others: Find ways to pour into others, even as you wait for your own breakthrough.

The waiting season is a fertile ground for spiritual growth. When you choose to thrive instead of merely survive, you’ll find yourself stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the future.


Biblical Examples of Waiting

The Bible is filled with stories of people who waited on God and saw His faithfulness in the end. Their journeys remind us that waiting is part of God’s process.

Examples of Waiting:

  • Abraham and Sarah: They waited 25 years for the promise of Isaac, and in that time, God tested their faith and trust.
  • Joseph: He endured years of slavery and imprisonment before stepping into his destiny as a leader in Egypt.
  • David: Anointed as king in his youth, David waited many years before taking the throne, learning patience and reliance on God.
  • Jesus: Even Jesus spent 30 years preparing for His three-year ministry.

These examples remind us that waiting is not a detour; it’s part of God’s divine plan.


When Waiting Feels Hard

Let’s be honest: waiting can be incredibly hard. It can test our patience, shake our faith, and leave us feeling weary. But in those moments, we have an invitation to draw closer to God.

How to Cope When Waiting Feels Hard:

  • Lean on God’s Promises: Memorize verses like Isaiah 40:31 (NLT): “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
  • Pour Out Your Heart to God: Be honest with Him about your struggles and frustrations.
  • Remember Past Faithfulness: Reflect on times when God came through for you before. He hasn’t changed.

God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. When the waiting feels heavy, He’s there to carry the load.


God’s Promises in the Waiting

One of the most comforting truths about waiting is that God’s promises never fail. Even when we can’t see what He’s doing, we can trust that He is faithful.

Promises to Hold On To:

  • Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT): “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
  • Romans 8:28 (NLT): “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.”
  • Psalm 27:14 (NLT): “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

These promises remind us that God is in control and that His timing is perfect.


What Happens When We Embrace the Waiting Period

When we embrace the waiting period, something extraordinary happens. Instead of seeing it as wasted time, we begin to view it as a sacred space—a time when God molds us, shapes us, and strengthens our foundation for the blessings ahead.

  • We grow spiritually. Waiting forces us to rely on God more deeply. In the stillness, we hear His voice and feel His presence in ways we might not when life is busy.
  • We gain clarity. During the wait, God often clears away distractions and helps us see our true purpose.
  • We develop patience and trust. These fruits of the Spirit grow stronger as we surrender to the process.

God isn’t just preparing us during the wait. He’s preparing the promise as well. The waiting period is the ultimate reminder that His plans are perfect, His timing is flawless, and His promises never fail.


Reflecting on the Transformation

Take a moment to reflect. Are you in a season of waiting right now? Maybe you’re longing for a new job, praying for a relationship to be restored, or waiting for clarity about your purpose.

Ask yourself:

  • Am I allowing God to work in me during this time?
  • What lessons might He be teaching me?
  • Am I resisting the wait, or am I surrendering to it?

The waiting period can feel frustrating, even lonely. But it’s in these moments of stillness that God whispers, “Trust Me. I’m doing something beautiful.”


Practical Tips to Stay Encouraged While You Wait

If you’re struggling to stay hopeful during the waiting period, here are some practical ways to stay grounded and connected to God:

  1. Spend time in prayer and worship. Pour your heart out to God. Share your frustrations, but also express your trust in Him.
  2. Journal your journey. Write down what you’re learning during this time. You’ll look back and see how far you’ve come.
  3. Surround yourself with support. Find a community of faith-filled people who can encourage and pray for you.
  4. Focus on gratitude. Thank God for what He’s doing behind the scenes, even when you can’t see it yet.
  5. Serve others. Sometimes the best way to find peace in your waiting is to help someone else in theirs.

Trusting God’s Timing

God’s timing is rarely our timing, but it’s always perfect. He sees the bigger picture. He knows what we need and when we need it.

If you rush ahead of Him, you might miss out on the fullness of His plan. But when you wait—when you allow Him to work—everything falls into place in ways you could never imagine.

The waiting period is a gift. It’s not a delay or a detour; it’s a divine appointment.


The Beauty of the Wait

Remember, the waiting is where the transformation happens. It’s where your character is refined, your faith is deepened, and your heart is aligned with God’s will.

When you finally step into the promise, you’ll look back on the waiting period with gratitude. You’ll see how God used that time to prepare you for something far greater than you ever imagined.

So, if you’re in the waiting right now, hold on. Lean into God. Let Him transform you. Because the wait is never wasted—it’s where the miracle begins.

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