Introduction
Waiting is difficult. We anticipate good things, hope for them, and sometimes grow frustrated when they don’t come quickly. If God loves us, why does He make us wait? Why would a good and all-powerful God delay answering prayers or fulfilling His promises? Could it mean He is saying no, or is He simply making us wait our turn?
These questions can challenge our faith. But God’s timing is never random—there is purpose in the waiting. In this article, we’ll explore why God calls His people to wait, how waiting strengthens our faith, and what it reveals about our relationship with Him.
The Challenge of Waiting
No one enjoys waiting. Whether it’s waiting in traffic, at the doctor’s office, or for a life-changing answer, we often struggle with patience. Our modern world makes it even harder, as we’ve grown accustomed to instant access to information and immediate gratification. When we wait, we often distract ourselves—scrolling through social media, watching videos, or finding something to pass the time.
But waiting isn’t just an inconvenience. It reveals something deeper about us: our desire for control. We want things on our timeline. We want answers now. When God makes us wait, it challenges our trust in Him. Do we truly believe His timing is perfect?
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” — Psalm 27:14
The First Response to Sin: Running or Waiting?
Waiting is not just about patience—it’s about trust. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve’s first response to sin was not to wait on God but to run from Him. After they sinned, they hid in fear when they heard God approaching (Genesis 3:8-9). Instead of turning to Him in repentance, they avoided Him.
This instinct to run from God rather than wait on Him is still in us today. Instead of seeking Him in prayer, we often look elsewhere for answers. When faced with uncertainty, do we wait on the Lord, or do we try to fix things ourselves? Do we trust in His wisdom, or do we rely on quick fixes the world offers?
Paul reminds us of this reality:
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” — Romans 3:10-11
Sin causes us to seek independence from God, but faith calls us back to dependence. Waiting on God is an act of trust—it acknowledges that He knows best, even when we don’t understand His timing.
Why Does God Make Us Wait?
So why does God ask us to wait? The Bible shows us several reasons:
- To strengthen our faith – Waiting teaches us to trust God beyond what we can see. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
- To shape our character – Endurance in waiting produces spiritual growth. “Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
- To align our hearts with His will – Sometimes, we think we need something immediately, but God knows what is truly best for us. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” (Psalm 37:7)
- To remind us that He is in control – When we wait, we acknowledge that God’s plans are higher than ours. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)
When we understand that waiting has a purpose, it changes how we experience delays. Instead of seeing them as obstacles, we begin to see them as opportunities to trust God more deeply.
Waiting Requires Faith
Waiting on God requires faith because it places control in His hands, not ours. True waiting is not passive; it is an active trust in God’s faithfulness. We see this throughout Scripture:
- Abraham waited 25 years for God’s promise of a son to be fulfilled (Genesis 21:1-2).
- Joseph waited in prison before God raised him to leadership (Genesis 41:39-41).
- Israel waited 400 years for the promised Messiah.
God’s timing is never late. It may not align with our expectations, but it is always perfect. When we wait in faith, we are not just waiting for something—we are waiting on Someone.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” — Lamentations 3:25
A Change in Perspective
Waiting is not about changing God’s mind—it’s about changing us. While we wait, God is working. He is refining our desires, teaching us patience, and deepening our relationship with Him.
Think about the last time you had to wait for something important. What was your attitude? Did you set a time limit for how long you were willing to be patient? The truth is, our frustration with waiting often comes from our own expectations. We expect answers within a certain timeframe, and when that time passes, we grow anxious.
But what if we shifted our perspective? What if, instead of seeing waiting as wasted time, we saw it as a season of preparation?
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” — Psalm 62:5
Conclusion: Learning to Trust in the Waiting
Waiting can be frustrating, especially when we feel an urgent need. But God’s delays are never without purpose. He uses waiting to build faith, shape our character, and draw us closer to Him.
The question is not whether we will have to wait—it’s how we will respond when we do. Will we wait on the Lord with trust, or will we try to take control ourselves?
Whatever you are waiting on—whether it’s an answered prayer, a breakthrough, or a deeper understanding of God—hold on to His promises. He is faithful. Even when we cannot see the outcome, we can trust the One who holds all things in His hands.
