Have you ever come to a busy crosswalk, pressed the traffic button, and heard, “Wait!”? Hearing that word immediately makes me want to jump in the middle of traffic and pretend I’m in a Frogger arcade game.
Waiting is challenging. Whether it’s waiting for a job opportunity, a relationship to start or one to be restored, a release date, healing from injury or illness, or simply seeking direction in life, waiting often feels like a worthless, passive, and frustrating experience. But it doesn’t have to be.
The Bible teaches that waiting is not a period of inactivity. It’s a time when God is actively at work, shaping, teaching, maturing, and preparing us for what lies ahead.
A lack of understanding about the benefits of waiting often leads to impulsive behaviors—impatience, frustration, and anger. Understanding God’s timing is essential. Proverbs 3:5–6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV).
I clung to this scripture during the restoration process with my children. Because of my alcohol and drug addictions, I had lost custody and parental rights of my children. The shame within drove me further into my addiction, adding to it homelessness, criminal activity, drug dealing, stealing, and incarceration. But then I encountered Jesus. And when I gave my mess to Him, He began to transform my life.
Early on, I felt like a new woman, and a burning desire grew within to take back my motherhood. The Lord revealed that I would be with my boys again, but it took four years before His promise was fulfilled.
During the wait, I experienced boredom, doubt, and frustration. In fact, I tried to take matters into my own hands, but that led to more complications and setbacks. In His wisdom, God knew I wasn’t ready to be a mom. I needed time to learn about being a committed and consistent person first.
Putting the future of my motherhood in God’s hand wasn’t easy. But the more I came to know His love and His ways, the more I was able to trust Him with my heart’s desire (Psalm 37:4). I realized that the wait was not a sign of God’s absence or abandonment, but of His active involvement in my life.
In Acts 9, we read about Saul, also known as the apostle Paul. Saul encountered Jesus while traveling to Damascus to persecute Christians. Three days later, he received his call to proclaim the name of Jesus to both Gentiles and Jews. Now, you’d think that Paul, a man of action, would have headed straight into the nearest town to start preaching. But he didn’t.
He didn’t even consult with other people. Instead, he tucked himself away with God. And during the next eleven years, Jesus Himself revealed all that Paul would need to fulfill his calling (Galatians 1:11-24).
Like Paul, we need to learn to embrace the wait and trust God’s timing. His plans are always good, leading us toward Christlikeness and completeness (James 1:4), and they always have a purpose. God’s not trying to control us or be mean; He’s giving us His best.
Below are seven things that will help you embrace your wait:
Surrender daily. A surrendered life is a safe and supported life. Begin each day with a prayer of surrender, asking God to guide your steps as He fulfills His will for your life, not your own. Ask also for help to trust Him with the outcome.
Pray without ceasing. Develop a deeper relationship with your heavenly Father through persistent prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). Resist the temptation to give up or jump in, no matter how long it takes for your requests to be answered. As you pray, you will find strength and revelation.
Lean on scripture. Immerse yourself in God’s Word to deepen your relationship with your heavenly Father. Meditate and memorize scripture to remind you of His faithful love. You’ll discover wisdom, power, and peace. Focusing on God’s character and His promises will also keep you strong.
Remember God’s faithfulness. Reflect and recount past instances where God has come through for you and others. These testimonies and accounts will strengthen your faith. Keep records while you wait—write down your prayers, what you’re learning, and how you see God moving. When things get hard, return to those truths.
Practice gratitude. Make it a daily discipline to thank God for the blessings you have, even if they seem small. Gratitude reminds us that God is already at work in our lives. It also helps us remain hopeful and positive during the waiting period.
Connect to community. It’s tempting to isolate when waiting, but connection to a faith-filled community is critical life support. Share your struggles and uncertainties with trusted friends. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, pray for you, and walk with you in the waiting. Their prayers and encouragement will help you stay focused on God’s promises. If you are in a season of forced isolation, read “Behind the Wire” on page 32 to discover ways to encourage yourself in the Lord.
Practice stillness. Resist the urge to rush ahead of God. Instead, surrender your timeline to Him. As you choose to be still (Psalm 46:10) and trust that God is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28), you will find peace.
These seven practices helped me embrace the wait and mature in the process. As a result, I received God’s best for my life.
Today, I not only have my legal rights restored, but I have a relationship with my sons and am walking alongside them on their faith journeys. Had I forced my way back into their lives on my terms and timetable, I would have been nothing more to them than a name on a legal document.
God had something so much better in store for me. He wanted me to have a relationship with my sons, not just my legal rights restored as a mother. That gift wouldn’t have been possible without the maturing process of the wait.
Not only that, but the Lord also restored my relationship with my ex-husband and his wife. I could only praise God when they invited my husband, Nick, and me to coparent with them. It’s a beautiful thing that only He could have orchestrated.
Take it from me, God’s timing is perfect. If you will but trust Him, take your hands off the situation, and rest in His love for you, He will far exceed your expectations for the thing you so desperately desire (Ephesians 3:20).
SHERIDAN CORREA is a biblical counselor who is trained in trauma-informed care. She’s a wife, mother of two teenage boys, singer, and avid runner who has been radically changed by Jesus. She is VL’s director of digital content.
