Skip to main content
BlogHumilityTrust

How to Wait Well

By September 5, 2024No Comments4 min read

How well do you wait? When you do not receive the answer to your prayer what happens with your emotions? Your behavior?

When your squeezed what comes out? One way we feel squeezed is when we must wait. Perhaps it’s impatience? Lack of faith? Frustration? Comparison? Envy?

The Bible is packed full of powerhouse examples of how to wait well. Below are just a few:

  • Abraham: Was told he would be the father of many nations at 75 years old, waited 25 years until Sarah gave birth to Isaac.
  • Noah: Built an ark amid mockers, trusting God would fulfill His plan
  • Joseph: Waiting approximately 13 years from the time he was thrown into the pit by his brothers until God brought him to the Palace.
  • Moses: Waited 80 years to deliver God’s people
  • Simeon: Waited his whole life or a lot of it as he was promised to see the Messiah before He died.

What are you waiting for these days? How is it going for you emotionally while you wait? Remember, the One who calls you is faithful, and HE WILL DO IT. If God calls you to wait upon Him, He will give you the grace to do a good job while you wait.

When I lost my hair because of the “red devil” chemo, my 3 children who were 7, 9 and 11 at the time came up with a great idea while we waited for it to grow back. They got a ruler and started to keep track each week to measure my hair growth. Obviously, it took a while, yet in the wait we found a way, by God’s grace, to enjoy the process. God calls you to do the same. How can you enjoy the process of waiting until God directs you into your next steps?

Let’s look at how Abraham, Noah, Joseph, Moses and Simeon waited upon the Lord:

  • Abraham: “he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He promised.” Romans 4:20-25
  • Noah: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” Hebrews 11:7
  • Joseph: We read in Genesis 40 how Joseph interpreted the dream of the distressed cupbearer who was in prison with Joseph and who forgot about Joseph when he was freed. Despite his situation, while waiting, Joseph trusted God and did good, Psalm 37:3.
  • Moses: Despite a physical insecurity, and shame from the past, Moses trusted in God’s ability to provide him what he needed to deliver God’s people from the hand of Pharaoh. Despite Moses’ self-doubts, around feeling unworthy to do God’s work, he continued to trust (Exodus 3:11). “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27
  • Simeon: “He was righteous and devout. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see the Messiah before he died. He was in the temple when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus.” Luke 2:22-28 He waited upon the Lord worshiping God and trusting the promise would be fulfilled.

Notice a common thread in the wait: faith, joy, trust, not fearing the circumstance rather fearing God (a deep reverence and certainty that God delivers what He promises so He is BIGGER than any worldly fear), worship and praise of God.

In the last paragraph of the gospel of Luke, just after Jesus referenced the sending of the Holy Spirit to them so that they would be clothed with the power from on high (Luke 24:49), Jesus gave them a directive to go and stay in the city until this happened…which was approximately 7 days later. Jesus stayed with his disciples for 40 days after he was resurrected. Have you ever waited 7 days for something you really wanted? How about 47 days? When Jesus was taken up into heaven, the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually in the temple, praising God. Luke 24:53

As followers of Christ, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us which allows us to do hard things like waiting well in earth school. Remember, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the disciples waited in the temple for the Holy Spirit, now we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Too often we forget that the power that works within us is greater than our circumstances. As we anchor our faith in Christ and God’s mighty hand to guide us into His will, we can release the grip around needing to know when. This is the first phase of Emotional Intelligence in Christ which fuels the second phase: Self-Control…impulse control. Our society is hijacked by immediate gratification. Our victory lies in the wait with the Holy Spirit.

Whatever it is that you are waiting for, invite the Holy Spirit to teach you about the things of God in the wait. God never wastes the wait in our lives. Is it patience? Faith? Trust? Hope? A re-org around what you are camping your identity and self-worth around. God is faithful and has a plan in the wait. Just as He did for Lazarus.

“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Leave a Reply


Inspiring and equipping people to lead like Jesus.

Start Here

1361 W Wade Hampton Blvd
Ste F-103
Greer, SC 29650

Toll-free: 800.383.6890
Phone: 864.712.0280

Navigation
Get Connected

Subscribe for weekly devotionals.