Waiting on God: Why It is Important to Wait on God

Amy Blossom
May 14, 2019
5 min read

Updated: Nov 25

There are seasons in life when it feels like everything is moving forward for everyone except you. Doors won’t open, answers don’t come, and the timeline you planned no longer makes sense.

In those moments, waiting on God can feel confusing and even discouraging. But Scripture reminds us that seasons of waiting are not signs of abandonment, they are often the times where God does His deepest work.

A long dirt road signifying that it is always important to wait on God and His perfect timing.

It’s important to remember that God doesn’t operate according to our timelines or our carefully planned lists. He works according to His timing and His perfect will for our lives. When we forget this, disappointment can creep in which sometimes turns into frustration or resentment toward God. That place is painful, and it’s not where He wants us to stay.

Why It's Best to Wait on God

The Bible is full of scriptures about the importance of waiting on God. In fact, many of these scriptures even tell us what the result will be if we wait on Him. Isaiah 40:31 tells us exactly what the result of waiting on God is:

A beautiful sky and a dirt road with Scripture from Isaiah 40:31

"But those who wait on 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."

As human beings we see things only from our perspectives, but God sees everything from His perspective - which is perfect because God is perfect. He knows exactly what is best for us. In fact, He has laid out everything for us already.

Think about it, if God already knows what’s best for us, then why is it so important for us to control every single thing in our lives? Why can’t we just let go and let God do what He does best? Luke 12:7 says “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” God knows every hair on our head, so how could He not know what is best for us?

The best thing we can do in any situation is to wait on God.

How Do I Benefit From Waiting on God?

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Sunlight flowing through the forest trees with Psalm 27:14.

Honestly, I could stop right here and say Jeremiah 29:11 tells us everything we need to know about the benefits of waiting on God. How amazing is it that the Lord openly declares His desire to give us peace, hope, and a future? Yet how quickly we forget this truth when life doesn’t unfold according to our plans.

One major benefit of waiting on God is increased strength. When we are weak, we learn to lean on the One who never is. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Scripture is filled with verses that point us back to God as our source of strength - 2 Corinthians 12:10, Proverbs 18:10, Nehemiah 8:10, Isaiah 41:10 each one a reminder that we are strong because He is strong.

Another beautiful benefit of waiting on God is humility. Scripture emphasizes its importance again and again in James 4:6, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Luke 14:11.

Humility isn’t easy, but God makes it clear that it’s something He requires from His children. Being humble means surrendering control, trusting God’s timing, and allowing Him to lead instead of pushing our own agenda.

I’ve learned - many times - the difference between humbling myself and God humbling me. Trust me, it's far better to willingly lay things at His feet than to be forced into surrender later.

How Long Do I Wait On God?

Wait as long as it takes. God is going to do what He wants to do, no matter what. In Isaiah 46:10 God says: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’.”

Understanding God’s authority will help us to be patient as we wait in assurance for Him to work in our lives. He may not answer right away us or even give us what we think we need, but He will provide what is best for us, when it is best for us. That’s for certain.

God’s timing is always perfect, and often times it’s not how long we think it should be. In fact, in 2 Peter 3:8, the Bible tells us that a day is as a thousand years to the Lord.

I guarantee you that most of the time we give up waiting on the Lord because we run out of patience. I’m definitely guilty of this. I'm sure there have been times in my life that if I have waited just a little while longer for God to complete His work, the outcome may have been even better than I thought it was.

It’s hard to remember that God does not have a deadline and that He is going to make sure that everything is exactly as it should be. This is all for His glory and there is no better reason than that.

What Can I Do While I am Waiting?

Pray - Pray for guidance, strength and for God’s will to be done. Ask God to place peace in your heart about waiting and give you the faith that you need not to give up. He will guide you and comfort you.

Read your Bible - Study God’s Word, especially His promises. “He will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6b). God will be with you through the entire waiting process. Stay focused on Him and His Word and the reasons for your time of waiting will be made clear.

Worship - When I am feeling low, I listen to worship music. I let it flow through my mind, heart and spirit. When I do, I find myself singing and praising God and the waiting becomes easier.

Create a blessing list - Write down everything good that God has blessed you with…every. single. thing.
Keep this list handy and look it over as often as needed. God is going to do the same thing with your waiting period. This time is no different than any other time.

Start a gratitude journal – Or a daily gratitude list. Write down everything that you have to be thankful for each day, even the smallest of things. Just like the blessing list, keep your gratitude journal handy at all times to read it over whenever you are feeling impatient or discouraged.

Waiting on God can be hard, but the benefits of doing so are immeasurable. Trusting God in the good times is easy, but waiting for Him to move during trying times is hard. However, the seasons of trial are important to build faith, increase our confidence in God and grow spiritually.

Are you in a season of waiting on God right now? If so, simply enter your name and email below the form image, and I’ll send you a “Waiting on God Worksheet” straight to your inbox. This printable worksheet will help you refocus your mind on God’s goodness and stay grounded in His promises as you walk through your waiting season.

Printable worksheet to record seasons of waiting on God.

May God richly bless you during your time of waiting.

Blessings,

Amy

Originally published on As My Mind Unwinds as a guest post on 01/11/2019.