How Do You Live in a Season of Waiting?

Our faith lives consist of quite a bit of waiting. Waiting for the next step to become clear. Waiting for God to answer a prayer. Waiting for our path and vocation to be revealed. Waiting to understand God’s purpose and hand in our life circumstances. Waiting to find happiness and fulfillment.

The ‘in between’ stage between one part of your life and the next, where waiting typically occurs, can be an uncertain place to be. Sometimes it’s anticipatory and hopeful. Other times, it’s anxious and there is fear of the unknown. It can be filled with grief and sorrow as well, particularly if there is loss.

In all my seasons of waiting, and in watching those around me wait, one thing became clear: as much as we try, we can’t know how God is working, what pieces he is putting together, or how he is using this time of waiting. We can only trust that it is for our good and part of His plan. We need to have faith that He knows best, and follow Him step by step, as His way is revealed.

We aren’t in control. He is God and we are not. The question is: how do you wait in the way that God wants you to wait?

1. Live with expectant hope in God’s goodness. Expect that the Lord will provide. Know that the path will become clear. It always does.

2. Don’t move away from God in doubt and frustration. Live in the presence of God. If you aren’t aligned towards God, it will be difficult to hear and see Him working in your life.

3. Resist becoming impatient and forcing your will. You may think you know God’s will, but let the process unfold as it should. God’s timing is perfect.

4. Focus on the needs of today. What is God calling you to today? In this moment? When you focus on the present, you allow God to take control of the future.

If we live as God wants us to through this season, we will find that our answers and solutions do come eventually, and that in the process, we have grown in our faith. Maybe just maybe, that growth in trust was part of His will to begin with.