Does God have you waiting? Waiting is one of the hardest things for me. We often find ourselves waiting for Him to answer our prayers, show us the next step, or heal our bodies or those of loved ones. We sometimes have to wait years for Him to bring someone we care about into a relationship with Him.
Yes, God answers all of our prayers. Sometimes the answer is “yes,” and He fulfills our wishes right away. Other times the answer is “no.” Frequently, though, I find He tells us to wait.
I struggled with confusion and despair when I didn’t know what to do while waiting for God to answer a prayer. Once I discovered how God wanted me to occupy the time, I went about my daily tasks with less worry and stress.
Although I still don’t like waiting, I trust God controls my life; He hears my prayers, yet at times He chooses not to respond right away.
What can you do while you’re waiting?
- Know God has heard your prayer and will answer. I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. ~ Psalm 40:1
- Continue to do the last thing God told you to do. God often waits until the last moment to reveal the next step. If God hasn’t given you additional instructions, it means He doesn’t think you need to know right now. Trust that He will guide you when it’s time to change direction. Psalm 16:8
- Look for God to answer your prayers in unexpected ways. Years ago, I asked God to help me become more organized in my home. Instead, God prompted me to deal with the anger from my past. At first, it didn’t make sense to me. However, as I began to address my anger from my past, my mind opened up to new possibilities, and I found myself able to handle our children with more patience. I discovered creative ways to improve efficiency and taught our young sons to help. Proverbs 3:5-6
- Trust God to work whether you see it or not. Circumstances and events in other people’s lives must align for God to answer your prayers. God always fulfills His promises, but on His schedule. He is just, faithful, and true to His Word. Trust Him with your life and your loved ones. Psalm 25:1-2
