I’ve never been good at waiting. I rarely arrive early, because I don’t like to wait. Waiting makes me feel stressed and anxious. I feel like I need to be doing something.
I leave my house “just in time” to arrive when I’m going to an event or meeting because I don’t like to wait.
I remember bugging my mom during car rides as a child (even short ones) by saying, “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” Usually, singing in chorus with my sisters.
I just don’t like waiting.
Why is it hard to wait on God?
In the examples above, we know when the wait will end. But when we are waiting on God’s answer, we don’t always know how long we will wait or the outcome. Waiting is hard.
Before we finalized the adoption of our son, we waited. It seemed like we waited forever. We waited almost a year to become approved as foster parents, then we waited another 18 months before the adoption of our son was finalized.
More than the waiting, it’s important to understand the timing. God’s timing wasn’t our timing. He was orchestrating his own plan. You see, our foster parent application wasn’t approved until just before our son was born. Our foster parent approval timed perfectly with the day he would need placement in foster care. If the application had been approved sooner, we might not have been available or too late, we wouldn’t have been ready to become his parents.
Then, his adoption was finalized in April 2006, and our second child was born in October 2006 and needed placement in January. Again, everything worked in God’s perfect timing.
Looking back, I see how everything fit together like a puzzle. But many days I struggled to see how it would all work out.
The Purpose of Waiting on God
Times of waiting on God teach us patience. Have you ever prayed for patience? Patience is learned through experience. Through the hard times and waiting in your life, you will learn patience.
Waiting on God also helps us to see God’s greater plan and bigger purpose.
Even though our adoptions have been finalized for years, I don’t believe these stories are over. God is still working on me, my son, and my daughters. Some days, I’m waiting again.
While I wait, I try to see God’s plan and how it will come together to tell our amazing story.
Finally, waiting on God helps others grow their faith. Psalm 40:3 says God will put a new song in my mouth, and many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. When we share our story of how God has worked in our lives, it gives others hope, too.
25 Verses on Disappointment
Wait Patiently
I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me, and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1
Be Strong
Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14
Blessed are those who wait
Therefore Yahweh will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for Yahweh is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isaiah 30:18
Wait for Salvation
I have waited for your salvation, Yahweh. Jacob’s final words to his sons.
Genesis 49:18
The Lord is good to those who wait
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
Lamentations 3:25
Love waits
Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.
Genesis 29:20
God will hear me
But as for me, I will look to Yahweh. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
Micah 7:7
Inheritance
Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
Psalm 37:34
Don’t Fret
Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
Psalm 37:7
Sin will end
For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.
Psalm 37:9
Creation waits for the blessing
For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Romans 8:19
Rejoice in Hope
Rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer,
Romans 12:12
Keep doing what is right
Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
Hope in the glorious appearing
Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:13
It’s working together for good
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Plans for you
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Temptation
Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
He’s not done yet
Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
Rejoice with others
Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15
God is near
Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
Psalm 34:18
Trust God’s plan
A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
God will help you
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God,
Psalm 146:5
God will meet all your needs
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Strength will come
But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Jesus prays for you
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let’s, therefore, draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16
These 25 verses promise us strength and hope even in our disappointment and waiting.
Do not be discouraged today. Your waiting is not wasted today. Waiting shows you God’s bigger plan, builds your faith, and allows others to see God’s work and believe, too.
