When God says “Wait,” we can sometimes become impatient, tempted to take shortcuts and wonder what we should be “doing.”
When you’re asking God for something, seeking an answer to prayer, whether for a new home, a partner, healing, a new project or anything else, He will give you one of three answers: “Yes”, “No”, or “Wait.” The first two are straightforward, and we should know how to respond to them and obey them accordingly.
But when God says to “Wait,” all you can and should do is wait. If you’re like me and have a strong desire to be “productive”, this can be difficult! But if you dive straight in, it would be like diving into a pool that hasn’t yet been filled. If you detour and try to make something happen in your own timing or through other means, you may get lost. If you try to speed it up, then you might crash.
But HOW do we wait?
Let’s have a look at scripture:
“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1)
“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalms 27:14)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1)
“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)
“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” (Psalms 31:24, ESV)
What to do When God Says "Wait"
1/ Don’t Give Up
2/ Practice Patience
3/ Trust God Completely
4/ Endure (Suffer patiently)
5/ Hope
6/ Seek God; spend time with Him- pray, read the Word, worship, sit quietly in His presence
7/ Serve God and Others
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, AMP)
“At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” (Isaiah 60:22b)
Ask the Lord “What are you teaching me in this season?”, “What is your plan?” or “What is your reason for this, Lord?” The Lord taught me to change my “Why?” questions to “What” ones instead. When I did this, I began hearing from Him. He has helped me through all seasons, including the waiting and wilderness ones, and He will help you too. Jesus is ‘The Way’ through the wilderness so let God guide and comfort you and don’t give up.
Be patient and trust God completely. Rest in His unfailing love. Help others and serve God. Doing so will help you fight against the enemy’s attacks and attempts to lead you away from God and all that He has for you. This, my friend, is how you respond when God says “wait.”
Extracts taken from ‘Battle Strategies for Spiritual Warfare’ from the chapter ‘The Art of Waiting.’
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