I hate waiting. I’d rather get things done, check them off my to-do list, and move on with my life. But life often feels like being stuck in a long line with no clear end in sight. Whether it’s waiting for a breakthrough, a promise, or simply the next step, the waiting game can leave us restless, prone to whining, and weighed down with worry.
The Bible’s Waiting Room
Scripture is filled with stories of waiting well. Abraham waited 25 years for a son (Genesis 21:5). Jacob waited 14 years to marry his beloved Rachel (Genesis 29:20-30). Joseph endured 13 years of slavery and imprisonment before seeing God’s promises fulfilled (Genesis 41:46). And Jesus, our ultimate example, waited 30 years before beginning His public ministry, fully submitting to the Father’s will (Luke 3:23).
These stories remind us that waiting isn’t about inactivity but about active trust. “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 well is an act of worship—it’s choosing to trust God’s timing and sovereignty over our own plans.
What Does Waiting Well Look Like?
Waiting well means refusing to let our waiting turn into whining. The Israelites in the wilderness often grumbled despite God’s daily provision (Exodus 16:2-3). Instead of allowing impatience to take over, we can choose to worship, just like Paul and Silas did while imprisoned (Acts 16:25). Their choice to worship in waiting led to freedom—not just for themselves but for those around them.
Waiting well also involves laying down our worries. Jesus said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27). Instead of letting worry steal our peace, we can choose to rest in God’s promises: “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
The Gift of Waiting Well
When we wait well, we are not wasting time but investing it. Our waiting becomes a sacred space where God shapes us, grows our character, and deepens our faith. It is here that we learn to exchange our control for His wisdom, our anxiety for His peace, and our impatience for His perfect timing.
| Consider this So, the next time you find yourself waiting, ask God to help you wait well. When we wait well, we not only honor God but also find strength, hope, and a joy that defies our circumstances. Worship in the Waiting: Instead of letting frustration take over, choose to praise God for who He is and for what He is doing behind the scenes. Turn Worry into Prayer: Whenever anxiety creeps in, redirect it into a prayerful conversation with God, trusting Him with your concerns. Stay Faithful in the Present: Focus on being obedient and diligent with what God has given you right now, rather than fixating on what’s ahead. |
