We all wait for something.
We wait for phone calls. We wait for friends. We wait for jobs, for answers, for hope fulfilled.
Sometimes we wait years for an answer to a prayer or a new path to take. Sometimes waiting might mean only a few hours for test results, but it’s a life-halting wait.
In my family’s own (current) waiting, waiting for so long without foreseeable results causes me to feel helpless. Helpless and unable to affect a situation positively. How do we endure this waiting?
God speaks to this struggle, too. He shares in His Word wisdom on waiting.
What To Do While We Wait
- Watch for wisdom while we wait: “Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
- Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.” – Proverbs 8:33-34
- Wait on God, even when trouble presses in: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” – Psalm 37:7
- “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:14
- Wait, knowing God will answer, even if it’s not in the way we may have thought: “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” – Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
- “But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.” – Psalm 38:15
- Even while we wait, rejoice in our loving God: “…yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” – Habakkuk 3:18 (Read Habakkuk 3:16-19)
- “…live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope…” – Titus 2:12b-13a (Read Titus 2:11-14. Read also Jude 1:20-21.)
Why to Trust While We Wait
- Christ suffered for us all, and offers salvation which we can look forward to during our waiting: “…so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” – Hebrews 9:28
- “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” – James 5:7-8
What verses encourage you while you wait for needs or answers? How do you use God’s Word to help others in their wait-filled struggles?
These scriptures are helpful, Caroline. I struggle with being patient in the waiting. I want to rest more in God’s perfect timing and let go of my own imperfect will.
I understand how you feel, Lisa! And when I do really rest in Him, I let go of my worry and more. I just need to remember to do that and TRUST!
I think we struggle with waiting when we look in the Bible and see nothing but the highlights of people’s lives. “God, why don’t you work in my life like that?” He does; we just fail to look at the highlights of our lives like the Bible looks at its characters. Thanks, Caroline, for stirring us up to stay strong.
Good thoughts, Wayne. I was just questioning two nights ago why one bad moment in the day will haunt my thoughts when so much of the day went well. God is active in our lives. We just need to see that, and then still trust even when we don’t immediately see it, yes?
Waiting seems to go against our make up as people and especially in our day and time. That makes me feel like I have to be all the more intentional about learning the “skill” of waiting and being reminded often that to wait is to trust and to trust is to anticipate God’s guidance and blessing. Thank you for sharing these great reminders.
YES! –> “I have to be all the more intentional about learning the “skill” of waiting and being reminded often that to wait is to trust and to trust is to anticipate God’s guidance and blessing.” Thank you for adding those thoughts, Julie. Waiting is a skill; a skill that requires trust and patience, doesn’t it?
Caroline~
I appreciate this so much. I have a hard time waiting! God has used my many waiting opportunities to stretch and strengthen me, so I try to keep that in perspective when I am flapping wildly with impatience. Thank you for this awesome reminder that there is purpose in the waiting!
Kris – waiting often does strengthen us, doesn’t it? I appreciate you pointing that out. As I think back on these times of waiting we’re enduring, in many ways I’ve become stronger, *including* in trust. Thank you, friend!
You will never know how much I need this today. It is amazing how the Lord works. I forwarded the email to my husband to let him read it, and he said it was like somebody was reading our mail. I also forwarded it to another friend who needed it. We are going through something, and have grown weary waiting on the Lord. I cried when I read it, but I could also smile because it brought such great incouragement.
Selena, thank *you* for sharing the effect of these verses. It reminds me to look for His active hand in all of our waiting… He’s there and He uses His words and His people to encourage us. Praying right now for your family.