This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
What then are we to do about our problems? We must learn to live with them until such time as God delivers us from them…we must pray for grace to endure them without murmuring. Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting. They harm us only when we resist them or endure them unwillingly. – A.W. Tozer
Did you catch that?
“Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting”
For our “spiritual perfecting” – our spiritual growth and sanctification. Waiting on God is for our hearts and for our relationship with the Lord.
After 18 years of being a Christ follower, I wish I could say that I’m great at waiting on the Lord. That I have discovered some secret formula of how to “do it right” every time.
That though would be far from the truth.
Yes, by God’s grace it has gotten easier to wait. Most of the time anyways – wink! But that has not always been the case. My gut instinct is to complain or even try to manipulate the wait – as if I have control over it all. I just want it to stop. And friend if it’s a storm I’m stuck in, I can become much like our 3-year-old in the fits I throw 🙂
But there is a better way to wait on God. And He actually has a lot to share with us about it.
This “better way” (His way) happens if we are being intentional in two key areas. Spending time with the Lord in prayer and in His word. Now if you’ve been around here for a while, you know I’m not one to say you MUST spend hours of time with Him each day in order to see change. If you can, that’s awesome, but if you are in a season where you can’t, Mama, you can still be intentional in your walk and wait well.
And just in case you’re thinking I don’t know what you’re going through and that it’s too hard of a trial to “wait well”, let me encourage you that the Lord knows every detail. He offers each of us His strength and the same benefits from waiting well.
Friend, I do understand there are differences in waiting. I will say that in the last 10+ years we’ve had more “hard waiting” than “good waiting”. But the foundation should be the same.
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26
Whether it’s a hard wait like test results from the doctor, a financial pitfall or time of depression or a good wait: a new baby, a special trip or event or maybe a new home, His word and prayer are the only ways I have seen great growth and change. One that happens in my heart and in the hearts of those around me. A change that offers us strength, patience and His peace that passes all understanding.
And YES! He wants the same for you in your waiting today!
How to Wait on God: 10 Bible Verses to Help!
Let’s look at God’s word in just 10 of the Bible verses regarding waiting. He wants us to participate in the waiting process, not just sit discontentedly. I pray you will see how He gives us some beautiful benefits of the wait to focus on, instead of the negative. Let’s take a peek!
Isaiah 40:31
..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.
When we wait for the Lord HE will give us strength. Not of ourselves, but through HIM. HE will renew us daily or even minute by minute when we are trusting in Him during the wait.
Psalm 25:4-5
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
He wants to lead us in truth and teach us His ways. He is faithful as the God of our salvation. We can trust in Him while we wait.
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
During the wait, the Lord will strengthen our hearts and give us the courage to face what lies ahead!
1 Samuel 12:16
Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes.
God will grow our faith and He will accomplish things we never thought possible! We can wait, pause or stand still with an expectant hope that God will provide what we lack.
Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He will teach us patience. When we come to Him with a humbled heart, not a grumbling heart, He can grow us in patience. He hears our cry and is working in the details even when we feel like nothing is happening.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
It can be so hard to wait when there is no end in sight. God assures us in His word that there are blessings to be found in the process and in the end if we do not give up. Keep growing closer to Him and doing things His way – don’t quit!
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
When we’re facing tough situations in life they can seem impossible, hopeless and overwhelming. Sometimes God asks us to wait so that we see He is the only one to deliver us from certain circumstances. He is our Deliverer.
Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
God is just. We can trust Him even when it seems He is withholding an answer. His justice is bigger than we can fathom! He is continually working in all circumstances. No, we can’t see the details while we are waiting. But we are blessed as we continue to draw near to Him and we can receive God’s grace, mercy, and compassion.
Hebrews 6:15
And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.
When we wait patiently on the Lord in obedience, we can obtain His promises to us.
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
When what’s surrounding us seems hopeless, we can wait on and trust in the Lord. We can wait with an eager expectation. One believing that He is working all out for our good and His glory. Waiting, eyes fixed on Jesus allows us to have hope in the wait no matter what we are facing each day.
So Mom, what are you waiting for today?
I want to come alongside you in your wait. Let’s take the next 30 days to explore God’s word together! What does He say about waiting? Join me and find out!
PS Don’t worry, if you think you are too busy, stressed and overwhelmed for Bible Study. I’ve got a solution for you! Grab our FREE … ‘Mom’s Pockets’ Bible Study – Intentional Bible Study in the Pockets of Your Day!
YOU CAN ACCESS THE FREE STUDY TWO DIFFERENT WAYS.
Sign up for access to our FREEBIES Hub and community emails {in the box below} to download all FREEBIES and Bible Studies each month or join our private Facebook Community to download this and any previous study and join the conversation….
or BOTH!
I would love to have you join us!
You can do this Mama!
Talk to you soon!
O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:56
Actually, yes, I am waiting on test results from my doctor and they’re being sketchy about getting back to me. Thank you for the verses.
I’m so sorry April. I’m still praying for you friend! Please keep me posted as you are able. I read your post but didn’t see an update. Much love- Lee
Lovely! Thanks – just what I needed today, recuperating from an illness, so many things have been left undone, and it’s taking longer than I expected. Patience is difficult.
I’m so thankful you were encouraged Liz! I will be praying for you while you recuperate as yes, patience is certainly difficult 💗 Hang on! I know you can wait well thru His Strength 😉