Waiting on God: 7 ways to wait well

Whether you are waiting on answered prayer, a call from the doctor, an anticipated milestone or the return of our King, all believers find themselves in a season of waiting.

I was in immense pain and I was scared. I had injured my back almost inexplicably the day before and was unable to do anything without assistance. I had to be wheeled into the doctor's office and even as I sat, stiff and torqued in the wheelchair, waiting for the doctor to arrive, I struggled. Waiting has always been uncomfortable for me, so the physical pain seemed only to amplify my impatience and uncertainty.

Humans are notoriously bad at waiting and I believe this impatience is rooted in sin that gives birth to idolatry.

Waiting takes things out of our hands, it breaks our perception of control. Waiting reminds us that we are not God. We are not omniscient and omnipotent. It beckons us to rest in God's sovereignty and crush idolatry.

But waiting in line at the DMV, or in the doctor's office and waiting on God are vastly different in posture and attitude. Although waiting in the case of the latter can, and should impact our waiting on the former.

Our impression of waiting calls to mind idleness, lack, and perhaps silence. We wait in line at the store and gaze at magazine covers, open our phones to scroll social media, or attempt to discreetly observe the strangers around us. Waiting in this sense is nothing more than the passing of time. Waiting, as displayed in scripture, stands in stark contrast to idle passivity with rich action, or as one author states, "urgent obedience." Rather than merely passing time we are growing, learning, worshipping and doing.

In the book "Wait" by Smedly Yates, he explains what waiting as a believer looks like. "Waiting is not inactivity. Waiting is an attitude, a posture...It is an attitude of trust, anticipation, hope, longing, obedience, faith, endurance and confidence. We rest in God, and we trust His plan. Such trust results in urgent obedience, because we want to be found pleasing to our Master when He returns." The New Testament is filled with commandments and exhortations for godly living as we anticipate the Kingdom to come. We'll look at 7 of those topics as we encourage one another in the waiting:

1. Pray

1 Thessalonians exhorts us to pray without ceasing. Prayer shouldn't be relegated to morning, evening and mealtimes. We should be praying continually, especially in seasons of waiting; as we have concerns, as we think of a friend, before we approach the word, when we have a desire and as we put our hands to whatever tasks we undertake. It should look more like an ongoing conversation. This is something I've personally struggled with, it's far too easy for me to read the bible and think about things, or converse with others, than it is to go to the Lord in prayer first. I'm working on allowing my thoughts to prompt me to pray. Some women I've spoken with have sworn by writing out their prayers, or having themed prayer days: Monday marriage, Tuesday children, Wednesday world, etc. Whatever we do to make prayer a regular and "unceasing" aspect of your days is a worthwhile pursuit.

2. Study

Too many Christians today approach scripture like a quick fix, a pill to swallow and heal an ailment. This becomes apparent when our time in the word is consistent during trials and dwindles or becomes nearly non-existent in seasons of comfort. Especially in seasons of waiting, while we are anticipating and searching, we should remain rooted in the word so we're not tossed about by fickle feelings and circumstances. Being rooted in the word also allows us to have the word richly stored in our hearts and minds for when times of trial do come. His written word is where we hear his voice, see his character displayed, nurture and grow our faith and recount the promises and faithfulness of our God. This is a treasure! We have such easy access to this, especially today in America. We can fill shelves of our homes with bibles in different translations and font sizes, bibles with additional commentary and bibles to write in. We can even carry it in our back pockets as an app on our phones. What sweeter words can we read than the words of our God and his instruction for our lives? And what a comfort in times of waiting. Psalm 1:2-3

3. Share the gospel

Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15 "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" Matthew 28:19 ,The Great Commission, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."Until Jesus returns there is still time for souls to be saved! We shouldn't grow complacent because one day looks like the next and we fall prey to the lie that we have all the time in the world. Time marches on and each day that passes is one day closer to the end. We should be urgent in sharing the gospel. We've been given grace and an eternal inheritance, this is the beautiful promise that so many souls are aching for. As mothers we have incredibly abundant opportunities to share this gospel and minister to the sweet souls placed under our care, do not underestimate the weight of this. These souls cost Jesus just as much as another.

4. Serve

We don't sit on our hands or twiddle our thumbs while we wait. Our culture and our sin nature would have us fixate on ourselves and our own circumstances. Scripture calls us to lift our eyes. We are called to serve and "abound in the work of the Lord.." (1 Corinthians 15:58). God has set aside "good works" for us to continue in. (Ephesians 2:10) Things such as providing for the needs of others, showing hospitality, praying, encouraging, using your gifts for the church; all of these are ways we can be actively serving even as we are waiting. God is not on standby, the world is not on hold in our waiting, and God has graciously given us ways to engage with others and glorify Him as we sit in between the "already" and "not yet".

5. Give Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances. It becomes too easy, particularly in seasons of waiting, to give in to anxiety or complaint rather than a spirit of thanksgiving. Scripture reminds us that we are to give thanks in all circumstances to our Lord, saying this is the "will of God." While we are in the waiting, even if we don't know the answers or the outcome we can give thanks that the Lord is sovereign and that He continues to work. We can give thanks for the work he does in us as we wait diligently and expectantly. We can give thanks for his promises and for the instances in scripture or our pasts where we recount acts of his steadfast love and faithfulness, and we're commanded to.

6. Repent

While repentance should be a regular aspect of our daily prayers there is something special about the way waiting and uncertainty reveal sinful tendencies and idols that we have set up for ourselves. When our impatience and frustration rears its ugly head we are given prime opportunity to repent and receive grace. Repentance is how we untangle ourselves from the snares of sin we've given ourselves over to. (Hebrews 12:1) It's also a means of God's grace, and redemption. When we come to God in humility and repent we are blessed with forgiveness and the opportunity to experience his transforming power and grace in our lives.

7. Encourage

Waiting isn't easy, especially if we are doing it in a way that falls in line with some of these exhortations. Encouragement is another gift God gives us as we grow in patience and perseverance. Encourage yourself: recall the works of God, whether written in His word or recorded in your journal as testimony to His work and faithfulness. Sometimes we need to take an active role in reminding our hearts to hold fast! Encourage others, showing love and hospitality. Again, its too easy for us to become focused on ourselves especially as we wait. Try to seek out opportunities to be an encouragement to someone in your circle. Also, being in fellowship with other believers is an encouragement in and of itself, especially in your local church. Being surrounded by like-minded people who can challenge you, encourage you, help you, and hold you accountable is such a gift. In times of waiting, settle in with your eternal family. (Colossians 1:9-11)

So, whether you're waiting on the next season of life, an answer to prayer, or the return of Jesus it's my hope and prayer that you would see the richness of waiting according to the word. We don't need to waste a moment waiting, we've been equipped to live fully, right here.

What is your natural tendency in seasons of waiting? What's one area of "waiting well" you'd like to grow in?