Embracing the Waiting Season: Growing in Faith and Trust in God

What Are You Waiting For?

Are you in a season of waiting? Waiting is a common experience for God's children. We wait for various things - the fulfillment of God's promises, deliverance from our enemies, provision of our needs, rescue from trouble, freedom from fear, renewal of strength, deliverance from depression, righteousness and justice in the world, redemption of our bodies, and the return of Jesus.

But waiting can be challenging. It requires patience, trust, and faith. It's not easy to wait for something we deeply desire. We may become preoccupied with our waiting, neglecting the things God has called us to do in the present. However, waiting on God is a crucial part of our faith development and an opportunity to showcase our trust in Him.

Why We Wait

Waiting is a part of our journey as believers. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people waiting on God and His perfect timing. Abraham and Sarah waited for their promised son (Hebrews 6:15), David waited for deliverance from his enemies (Psalm 27:11, 14), Paul waited for his needs to be provided (Philippians 4:19), and so on. Waiting is not a sign of weakness or failure, but a demonstration of our dependence on God.

In the book of Isaiah, we find a powerful verse that encourages us to wait on the Lord: "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting on God renews our strength and enables us to soar above the challenges we face.

What We Learn While Waiting

Waiting is not just a passive activity. It is an opportunity for growth and refinement. While we wait, God teaches us valuable lessons and shapes our character. We learn to trust in His faithfulness and goodness. We learn to surrender our desires and plans to His perfect will. We learn to rely on His strength and not our own. Waiting is a classroom where God molds us into the image of His Son.

When we look at the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis, we see a powerful example of waiting. Joseph experienced betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, but through it all, he remained faithful to God. In the end, God exalted him and used him to save his family and the entire nation of Egypt. Joseph's waiting period was not wasted; it was a season of preparation for the great purpose God had for him.

How to Wait Well

So, how can we wait well? How can we make the most of our waiting seasons? Here are a few principles to guide us:

1. Seek God's Presence

While we wait, let us seek God's presence above all else. Spend time in prayer, worship, and meditation on His Word. Draw near to Him and allow Him to speak to your heart. Use this waiting season as an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God.

2. Embrace God's Timing

God's timing is perfect. He knows what is best for us and when it is best for us. Instead of resisting His timing, embrace it. Trust that He has a plan and purpose for your waiting season. Remember the words of Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."

3. Serve Others

While we wait, let us not become self-absorbed. Look for opportunities to serve others and make a difference in their lives. Use your gifts and talents to bless those around you. By serving others, we shift our focus from ourselves and find joy in helping others.

4. Grow in Faith

Waiting requires faith. Use this season to grow in your faith and trust in God. Remind yourself of His faithfulness in the past and hold on to His promises for the future. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

5. Cultivate Patience

Patience is a virtue that is developed through waiting. Practice patience in your daily life and learn to wait with a joyful and expectant heart. As James 5:7-8 says, "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."

Conclusion

Waiting is not easy, but it is a necessary part of our journey as believers. As we wait on God, let us embrace the lessons He wants to teach us and grow in faith and character. Let us seek His presence, embrace His timing, serve others, and cultivate patience. Remember that waiting is not wasted time; it is a season of preparation for the great things God has in store for us.

So, what are you waiting for? Trust in God's faithfulness and wait well.