Learning to Wait: Trusting God’s Perfect Timing
We live in a world that thrives on instant gratification. With technology, convenience, and culture constantly telling us that we can—and should—have everything we want right now, waiting feels almost unnatural. The world says, “You deserve this now. It’s at your fingertips.” And with this mindset, we often walk through life forgetting the Lord even exists.
But God doesn’t call us to wait out of spite or cruelty. In fact, it’s quite the opposite—He calls us to wait because He knows better. His timing is intentional, His ways are higher, and His plans are purposeful.
Let’s be honest: waiting is hard. I am not naturally a patient person, and the Lord has asked me to wait more times than I can count. In those seasons, frustration came quickly. My mind raced with questions like:
Why isn’t this happening yet?
Does God see me?
What if this never works out?
But as I look back on those moments, I can now see the divine purpose in the waiting. God was not punishing me; He was preparing me.
He was teaching me obedience when I wanted control.
He was building faith when I wanted answers.
He was revealing His faithfulness in contrast to my lack of trust.
The waiting seasons became opportunities for me to witness God’s wisdom and goodness in ways I never could have if He had given me what I wanted immediately.
When God asks us to wait, He is not ignoring us. He is working—often behind the scenes, in ways we cannot yet see. Rather than taking matters into our own hands, we are called to trust and to wait patiently for His response. And sometimes, His response is simply: “Wait.”
That isn’t a bad thing. It’s a call to renewed trust in Him. Waiting shifts our focus from our own desires to God’s sovereignty and provision.
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” — Psalm 130:5
In the waiting, God is:
Refining our character.
Building a heart of obedience.
Strengthening our faith.
Preparing us for what’s next.
When waiting feels unbearable, take heart: God does hear you. Go to Him in prayer, even when you don’t see answers immediately. Just because you can’t see His plan doesn’t mean He isn’t working.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” — Lamentations 3:25
God rarely answers in the timing or manner we want. And honestly—thank the Lord for that. How many times have we wanted something, only to later realize it wasn’t right for us? God’s wisdom far surpasses ours.
When you’re waiting:
Pray persistently: Keep seeking Him, even when it feels fruitless.
Reflect on God’s faithfulness: Look back on how He has been steadfast in your past.
Humble yourself: Acknowledge that He is God, and you are not.
Praise Him: Worship God for who He is and the good He is doing, even when you can’t see it.
Trust Him: Know that His plans are for your good (Romans 8:28), even if they don’t align with your timeline.
The world tells us to avoid waiting, to rush, to grab what we want as quickly as possible. But when we wait on the Lord, we step into a deeper place of dependence and trust. We stop chasing our own solutions and learn to rest in God’s promises.
“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 isn’t wasted time; it’s a season of renewal, growth, and preparation. I’ve even begun to love the seasons of waiting because they allow me to clearly see and praise the Lord’s divine work. They remind me that He is in control.
“Lord, You know how hard it is for me to wait. I want answers, clarity, and control, but I know Your ways are better. Teach me to trust You in the waiting. Remind me of Your faithfulness in the past and help me see Your hand at work in the present. I choose to rest in Your timing and Your plan. Build in me a heart of obedience and faith. You are good, and I will praise You in every season—especially in the waiting. Amen.”
God’s response may be “wait,” but that doesn’t mean He isn’t working. The waiting is where faith grows, where character is refined, and where we learn to trust Him fully. Rather than rushing ahead, let’s be people who wait with hope, patience, and praise.
Don’t take matters into your own hands. Trust the One who holds your life in His hands.
Pray. Wait. Trust. God’s timing is perfect.
