Trending Christian Blog and Commentary

Get guidance on Bible study from C.S. Lewis - Free Course!

How to Trust God When You're Stuck in the Waiting Place

  • Carrie Dedrick What topic related to Christianity, faith, and the Bible is trending online and in social media today?
  • Updated Feb 10, 2017

“Waiting is hard,” I recently lamented to my small group. “I know God’s timing is perfect, but I’ve been waiting for years now. My patience is wearing thin.” 

It doesn’t matter what you’re waiting for. I have loved ones who are waiting for a myriad of things: jobs, children, healing, to be brought out of poverty… it’s all hard. 

Darla Wilkinson writes for True Woman that she experienced waiting too… for a husband. Wilkinson, who did not marry until she was 33, says she was far from a model of grace and patience in those years. Her years of singleness led to angst and distrust in God. 

How many of us can relate to these painfully honest words? 

“I felt God didn't notice me, hear me, or love me because He wasn't giving me my greatest desire.”

When God doesn’t give us the good things that we want, we start to believe that he is no longer loving. After all, shouldn’t God want us to have the things that make us happy? We know that it is not wrong to ask God for a better paying job to support our family. So why isn’t He listening? 

Wilkinson asked these questions when she struggled with loneliness. It wasn’t until years later that she discovered the truth: 

“...waiting had everything to do with my heavenly Father's love for me.”

As humans, we can’t understand how this could be. And yet it is true. We have to wait because He loves us. 

Romans 11:33 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” 

What does that mean? Wilkinson interprets that verse saying: 

“He is so great and we are so small that we are literally incapable of understanding all He is working out in our lives. Yet even when we’re confused, He’s still worthy of our full trust.” 

Do you know what is better than a spouse, a child, even the healing of your illness? The Lord’s infinite worth. 

“God Himself is better than the richest of earthly gifts.”

As you are waiting for that deep desire of your heart, you may be losing sight of the One whose love is truly priceless. 

Wilkinson writes that she learned God was more gracious, faithful, enduring, and powerful than anyone she would marry. As she sought after God, he granted her peace and contentment. Through His Almighty power, she learned that good things of the earth will always pale in comparison to Him. 

No matter what you’re waiting for, you can ask yourself these questions from Wilkinson. They will help you evaluate the state of your heart in the waiting time. 

  1. Do I believe what the Bible says about God’s faithfulness and love to His children even when life feels wrong?
     
  2. Do I find Jesus to be infinitely valuable above any other gift in this life?
     
  3. Do I measure God’s love for me based on what He is presently doing for me or based on His sacrifice on the cross?

Crosswalk.com writer Cindi McMenamin says that God has many reasons when you ask, “Why?” and they are all for our ultimate good. It is up to us too trust His reasons and rely on His constant goodness. We can begin by saying this prayer McMenamin wrote together: 

“Lord, thank You that in spite of your “no” or “wait” or even Your silence, You know what is very best for me and You promise to work for my eternal good, not just my temporary satisfaction. Thank You that in all all situations, in all pain and pressure and circumstances beyond my control, You are making me more like Christ, as I give up my will and surrender to Yours. 

“Scripture says without faith it is impossible to please You so I choose to believe that You have it all under control. Thank You for being a good, loving, all-knowing and ever-present God who will not let anything touch me that hasn’t first passed through Your loving hands. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”

 

Carrie Dedrick is an editor of Crosswalk.com. When she is not writing or editing, she can usually be found teaching dance classes, running marathons, or reading with at least one adopted dog on her lap. 

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: February 10, 2017