Are you looking to God to intervene in one or more areas of your life? Desperate for change or something better? Tired of waiting for a breakthrough? I know how wearisome it can be when we find ourselves in a seemingly perpetual state of waiting. I readily admit that waiting on God to move on our behalf is one of the most difficult challenges we face as followers of Christ. Days stretch into weeks and months, perhaps even years, and the enemy of our soul tempts us to think that God has forsaken us. Doesn’t care. Left us on the shelf of life. But those are lies. Thinking Him unkind, uncaring, and unconcerned, some of us distance ourselves from God. Yet He is our only Hope.
Although it’s cliche, God’s ways are always right and His timing is truly perfect—Scripture reassures us of this truth (see Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 18:30; 145:17). Although we know this in our heads, it’s entirely another thing to embrace it with our hearts. As a result, we’re often tempted to misinterpret God’s timing. We want what we think we need and we want it now. We so easily lose sight of the reality that God sovereignly allows us to go through difficult and sometimes extremely hard circumstances in order to mold us, shape us, and fit us for the good works He has called us to. The truth is that if God were to answer our prayers according to our desires, the very things we pray for today would likely bring about even greater challenges and setbacks in the future. Undoubtedly, they would only undermine God’s workmanship in our lives. Ephesians 2:10 teaches, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Plainly said, God is determined to make something great out of each of us. And He is far more concerned about our holiness than our happiness.
Delays don’t mean that God is detached from our circumstances. God hasn’t forgotten us nor will He ever forget us because His love for us is steadfast. Unfailing. Unrelenting. Unshakable. He is intimately acquainted with all that we go through—the good, the bad, and everything in between. And He is wise and judicious. If you’re blessed to be a parent, you know that there’s nothing good you’d withhold from your child; on the contrary, you’d firmly deny those requests and even urgent pleas that you know in the long run would only be detrimental. Our heavenly Father is the perfect parent! He cares for us with a depth of fatherly love that we can’t even begin to fathom. Even while we wait, God is working in a myriad of different ways that we often cannot perceive or understand, all to the end of bringing about our greatest good and to display His glory.
Thus waiting is truly a gift.
While we figuratively can see only a section of the beautiful tapestry God is weaving with our lives, we must trust that He already sees it in its entirety. He knows what He is doing. And He never makes a mistake!
I’m learning to embrace more deeply that our heavenly Father cares about us no less when we’re in the valley of trials, struggles, challenges, uncertainties, despair… as He does when we’re on the mountaintop shouting, “All is well with my soul!” If you’re in a season of waiting, maybe God is calling you to a place of greater surrender and trust in Him. Waiting is akin to persevering. God’s goal in having us persevere is to refine us and purify our faith, just as it did in saints of old. Take heart in this truth: “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” Isaiah 64:4.
Thank you for this! I’ve just come through a dark period of waiting & crying out to the Lord so I can relate. God answered. I love that when He does, He often does so when the ‘odds’ seem stacked against us. He can completely change a situation overnight & leaves me with NO doubt that the answer is from Him!
Christine, thank you for your comment. I profusely apologize that it has taken so long for me to respond. Please forgive me. I’m so glad to know that you were blessed by this blog. Praising God for His faithfulness in bringing you through. Trusting that His light is shining upon you and that you are walking in the light of His love.
This was good for me to read this morning. I am in a Season of waiting I’m a hairstylist I never had a problem in getting a job,since I have moved back to California after taking care of my mom, grandfather, sister brother who have passed away now . after 5 years I’m back and every door has been closed . Waiting
Hi Sharon! Thanks for your comment. So sorry to hear of your situation. May the Lord continue to sustain and carry you during this difficult season. My apologies for the delay in my response. God bless you always and make His face to shine upon you.
Thank you for the long waited reply ! See it holds true We are always waiting on something ! An answer , a job , God to move a GOD FEARING HUSBAND ANOINTED MAN OF GOD ! But everything by prayer Supplication ! Waiting for God to show me what to do Next ! I want it to be all of Him and none of Me! Thank you
Thank you this is just what I needed to hear !!!
Thank you, Ron! Glad you found this helpful. May God bless and keep you!
Very timely read.
Thank you, James! I apologize for the delay in this response. God bless and keep you!
Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the LORD will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.
Sometimes it is us who make Him wait as well.
Thank you so much, Pete! Yes, our disobedience and lack of surrender definitely affects God’s timing in bringing to fruition some of His plans for our lives. Love this verse! God richly bless you, brother!