Are you in God’s waiting room? Have you been praying for something, on hold for an answer, hoping for your circumstances to change?
I confess, waiting is not my favorite activity. And right now, I’m waiting for something especially critical…test results of a loved one’s cancer scan.
During this time of uncertainty, I started to wonder…is there a proper way for Christians to wait? Should we be doing something while we wait, or is waiting, well, just waiting?
For the Christian, waiting is not a passive experience. Even though this may sound contradictory, waiting is active.
Here are four things the Bible tells us to do while we wait on the Lord:
Do it with courage
Waiting takes courage. As Christians, we don’t cower in fear over what may happen. The future may be uncertain, but we belong to the One who not only knows the future, He holds it in the palm of His hand! David phrased it this way in Psalm 27:14 (ESV):
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Stay in His Word
During times of waiting, we can be bombarded with advice that may sound good. It may even be what we want to hear. But if we’re not careful, we can be influenced by well-meaning advice that is not consistent with God’s Word. Use this time to soak in what God has said, both to be encouraged and to be prepared for whatever answer the Lord brings. As the psalmist reminds us in Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV):
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.”
Wait in Silence
This one can be difficult for me. During our times of waiting, it’s easy for us to make our request the topic of conversation in every conversation! We whine about our pain, complain about the injustice, and throw ourselves pity parties. However, King David reminds us in Psalm 62:5 (ESV):
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t share our concern and ask for prayer. But it does mean that once we do, we should spend our time seeking God’s heart, growing in quiet intimacy with Him.
Persevere in Your Waiting
This one can also be difficult if we’re in an extended time of waiting.
During this time of waiting, do what the Lord has called you to do. Are you in ministry? Continue to serve. Are you working? Work heartily (Colossians 3:23). The prophet tells us in Hosea 12:6 (ESV):
“So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”
The answer will come. Still, it may not be the answer we want. That’s when we need to remember God is sovereign. Although our short-term circumstances might not appear so, He is always at work for our ultimate good and His eternal glory. As God’s children in Christ (John 1:12), we can rest in this assurance from the prophet Isaiah:
“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4 ESV).
Or, in the words of the group, Mercy Me:
I also am waiting on my sister’s last scan. Quite impatiently. But we never really know the day or hour, so we must trust in His perfect timing.
I am also going to Key West this weekend for the funeral of a dear friend who passed suddenly – not storm related – who left behind two daughters, one my mother’s godchild, one my godchild. They are adults but it’s much too soon; they are 30 and 25, and their mother passed in 2010 also unexpectedly. So prayers for you and Russ, prayers for Alicia and Ainsley as they suffer this tremendous loss, and for Richard’s grandchildren.
I pray that your news is good news, and that my sister’s news is good news.
Thank you, Ava. Praying for you both.
I cling to You,
(And though my hand slips)
Your right hand holds.
From Psalm 63:8
Thank you for your prayers, Ellen.
Great verse, John. Yes, what a blessing to know that even when we don’t have the strength to hold on to Him, He is always holding on to us!
Thank you for your prayers.
Thanks, Ava! The Lord knew I SO needed this! ❤️
Me, too, Jane! 🙂
Thank you, Ava, for your beautiful testimony of faith.
Thank YOU, Mary Ann, for your continuous encouragement! <3
Ava,
As always, your post is timely for me. You share your faith in a way that speaks to me and calms me during difficult times, the ways the Holy Spirit uses your messages is truly special! Prayers for the best possible news and for good health and healing🙏
Thank you, Kelly. I love how the Lord helps us encourage each other!
The Spiritual discipline of waiting. That’s exactly what it is. Rick Warren is right when he said our life is a test and a trust- yet how difficult to be a faithful steward. In this world we will have tribulation- Jesus warns- but take heart, I have overcome the world. Take heart- be encouraged- be strengthened with this knowledge- don’t trip and be ignorant of the mercies and PAST deliverances he has already given.
Let each one of us cling to the promises of God in all our days.