Waiting. Just reading that word can trigger all sorts of emotions. The definition of the word is “to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time.” Let’s be honest, waiting is not fun, yet God makes us wait a LOT. I don’t know what storms you’re facing today or what season of life you’re in, but I can guess that you’re probably waiting on God to answer at least one prayer, or maybe you just got out of your waiting season (lucky!). Either way, we can all learn a thing or two about waiting on God.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 27:14, which states, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Notice how the phrase “Wait for the Lord” is repeated twice. The psalmist adds emphasis here to show the importance of the phrase, but the other beautiful part about this verse is that we’re told to let our hearts take courage. Waiting is hard, and it's definitely not preferred. I think that’s why we’re exhorted to be strong and to take courage in this verse because David knew how much strength and endurance waiting requires. When we recognize that God is sovereign over everything, especially our circumstances, we find the divine assistance we need.

Knowing God's character makes it a little bit easier to wait on Him and trust His process. Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.” Doesn’t that just fill you with joy? The year 2023 has been challenging for me, but when I stay focused on God and know with certainty that He will work out my difficult circumstances into something good simply because I love Him and am seeking His will, I can’t help but feel so joyful. He is the author of our lives when we give Him the pen, especially in the waiting season. “From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for Him” (Isaiah 64:4).

So then, what does it mean to wait on the Lord, and how do we do it?

Trust in Him.

We must be patient and confident, trusting that the Lord will show up. We must trust that God is working amid our storms and waiting seasons. When we trust that our God will show up for us, whether or not it’s how we want, it helps eliminate fear and anxiety with the unknowns surrounding us. Our God is always working, even if we don’t see or feel it. It’s so easy to fall into the “what ifs” in difficult situations. Matthew 6:34 tells us, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Trust Him through every up and down; He knows how it will end, sweet friend.

Seek Him.

Waiting is uncomfortable and challenging, but it can also be good. Don’t miss what God has for you in this process. He is sovereign over everything and knows exactly how it will end. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” How encouraging to know that all we have to do is earnestly seek after God, and we will find Him.

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Praise Him.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). When we focus on worshipping God for who He is instead of our problems, it builds our confidence in the Lord, as well as, courage to continue to wait for God’s redemption with hope. As Psalm 27:13 says, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!” Praise Him for what He has already done and has yet to do in your life!

Embrace the Wait.

Romans 5:3-5 tells us, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Waiting builds our strength, hope, and endurance and teaches us to persevere. To “persevere” means to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty. Let us press on in His name!

Last but certainly not least is prayer.

We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. Whenever I find myself getting anxious or my mind starts racing with the “what ifs,” I immediately stop and pray, leaving it all at the feet of our God. Take it all to Him and ask for wisdom for your situation. James 1:5 teaches us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who will generously give it to us.

Lately, I find myself telling my toddler multiple times throughout the day that she needs to wait. How often does God look at us lovingly like we are His toddlers and that He is telling us to wait? How often do we get discouraged and frustrated by the delays? For me, I know it’s far too often. Friend, you are not alone. Waiting is challenging and can be full of pain and grief, but if we intentionally focus on God and the above five steps, we will gain all God has for us in this season. We may even enjoy the ride along the way.