What Might God Do While You Wait? Finding Encouragement and Hope in the Waiting | Xtian

What Might God Do While You Wait?

Have you ever found yourself in a season of waiting? A time when you cry out to God, wondering if He has forgotten you? The waiting can be agonizing, especially when it feels like God is hiding His face from you.

In times like these, we can take comfort in knowing that we are not alone. King David, a man after God's own heart, cried out to the Lord in his distress. In Psalm 13:1–2, David asks, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?"

David's cry resonates with many of us who are currently facing a season of waiting. Whether it's for physical healing, restoration in relationships, or a specific desire of our hearts, the waiting can be excruciating.

God's Work in the Waiting

While we may not always understand why God allows us to wait, we can trust that He is at work even in the midst of our waiting. In fact, there are several things that God might be doing while we wait:

1. Refining our Faith

During seasons of waiting, God often uses the waiting period to refine our faith. Just as gold is purified through fire, our faith is tested and strengthened through the trials of waiting. In 1 Peter 1:7, the apostle Peter writes, "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

When we patiently endure the waiting, our faith grows deeper and more resilient. We learn to rely on God's faithfulness and trust in His perfect timing.

2. Developing our Character

Waiting also has the potential to develop our character. In Romans 5:3–4, the apostle Paul writes, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."

As we wait, we learn to persevere and develop endurance. Our character is shaped through the challenges and obstacles we face. We become more resilient, patient, and compassionate, reflecting the character of Christ.

3. Teaching us Dependency

Waiting teaches us to depend on God and not on our own strength or wisdom. In Proverbs 3:5–6, the wise writer advises, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

When we are forced to wait, we are reminded of our need for God's guidance and provision. We learn to surrender our desires and plans to Him, trusting that He knows what is best for us. Waiting humbles us and helps us cultivate a deeper dependence on our Heavenly Father.

4. Cultivating Patience

Patience is a virtue that is often developed through waiting. In James 1:4, the apostle James encourages believers by saying, "So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

As we wait, we learn to be patient and trust in God's timing. We understand that rushing or forcing things to happen on our own can lead to undesirable outcomes. Waiting cultivates a patient heart that is willing to wait for God's best.

Encouragement in the Waiting

While waiting can be challenging, we are not left without hope. The Bible is filled with stories of people who endured seasons of waiting and saw God's faithfulness in the end. Abraham waited for a son, Joseph waited in slavery and prison, and the Israelites waited for deliverance from Egypt.

One of the most encouraging verses in the Bible about waiting is found in Isaiah 40:31, which says, "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Just as an eagle soars in the sky, those who trust in the Lord can find renewed strength and endurance while they wait. God is not absent or indifferent to our waiting. He is actively working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory.

Application in 2023 and Beyond

As we enter the year 2023 and beyond, waiting remains a part of our lives. The challenges and uncertainties of this world can leave us longing for answers and solutions. However, the principles and truths we find in the Bible about waiting are timeless and applicable to any season of life.

Whether you are waiting for physical healing, restoration in relationships, or the fulfillment of a specific desire, remember that God is with you in the waiting. He is refining your faith, developing your character, teaching you dependency, and cultivating patience.

Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone in your waiting. Lean on the promises of God's Word and trust in His perfect timing. As you wait, may you find renewed strength and hope in His presence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, waiting can be a difficult and challenging season in our lives. However, it is in the waiting that God often does His most profound work. He refines our faith, develops our character, teaches us dependency, and cultivates patience.

While we may not understand why we have to wait, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. As we navigate the year 2023 and beyond, may we find encouragement and hope in God's presence, knowing that He is with us in the waiting.