No one enjoys waiting, especially when the outcome is uncertain. Waiting can feel like standing in the middle of a storm with no shelter in sight. In these moments, it is easy to drift into self-pity, anxiety, or even frustration. Our hearts get weary, and we begin to wonder “Why is God making me wait?” But what if the waiting isn’t punishment? What if it’s preparation?

Knowing and Trusting

The first step in waiting well is knowing who and what you are waiting for. You are not waiting on a delayed opportunity, you are waiting on the Author of Time, the One who declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). To wait well, you must wait with revelation: “Be still, and know that I am God…”(Psalm 46:10)

You are not waiting on a delayed opportunity, you are waiting on the Author of Time, the One who declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

Knowing leads to trusting. When you know God’s nature – His faithfulness, goodness, and timing, you can rest, even in delay. Jesus endured the cross because He knew the joy and glory that would follow (Hebrews 12:2). In the same way, we must know that all things, even the waiting, work together for good as affirmed in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

When you know God’s nature – His faithfulness, goodness, and timing, you can rest, even in delay.

Like Solomon, we must allow our hearts to rest in the sovereignty of God. And like the Hebrew boys, our confidence must not come from what we see but from who we know:

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… and even if He does not, we will not bow.” (Daniel 3:17–18).

And like the Hebrew boys, our confidence must not come from what we see but from who we know

The enemy can and will always try to exploit your waiting season if you do not recognize it for what it is and do what it takes to emerge victorious. His strategy is to make you believe God has forgotten you, or worse, forsaken you. But the waiting season is not a wasted season. It is a season when you must completely depend on God whether you understand the occurrences in your life or not.

Grow Your Faith

“Know ye not that the Lord, He is God?” – Psalm 100:3

Faith is not static; it is meant to grow. And often, it grows most in the dark, when you can’t trace God’s hand but must trust His heart. Every trial endured, every delay surrendered, becomes a brick in the foundation of unshakeable faith: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold… might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7). When we go through trials and emerge victorious our faith is increased because we have seen God at work. This increased faith makes you confident in the knowledge of what God is capable of doing if only you trust him.

Every trial endured, every delay surrendered, becomes a brick in the foundation of unshakeable faith

What Should You Do While You Wait?

Talk to God: Waiting isn’t passive, it is a spiritual pursuit. If you’re not talking to God in the waiting, you’re giving room for fear and doubt to speak louder. Go boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Tell God your fears, your pain, your confusion. Don’t hold back. The enemy wants you to feel isolated, like God has abandoned you, but God never walks away. His word still stands: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). He gave His word never to leave nor forsake you.

If you’re not talking to God in the waiting, you’re giving room for fear and doubt to speak louder

Serve Faithfully: While you are waiting for your door to open, help someone else walk through theirs. Serving is a posture of trust, a declaration that, “Even though I haven’t received my answer yet, I still believe.” Paul admonished, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23). Serving keeps your heart soft and your eyes open. Sometimes, your breakthrough comes while you are busy serving God and being the answer to someone else’s prayer.

Learn Diligently: There are lessons in the waiting season that success can never teach. Ask God, “What are You teaching me in this season?” Let God prune what needs to go. Let Him build endurance, deepen your character, and sharpen your discernment. You are being prepared for the promise, so don’t fight the process. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” says James 1:4.

You are being prepared for the promise, so don’t fight the process

Wait With Purpose: The waiting may be long, and it may be painful. But it is never without purpose. God is not just working on your blessing; He is working on you to build capacity and character that will set you up for bigger opportunities and dimensions in your walk with Him. So, while you are waiting, keep looking up to Jesus, keep trusting and hold on to Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Your waiting is not wasted as long as you remain hopeful and build capacity. And in due season, you will reap, if you faint not (Galatians 6:9).