Have you ever felt as if you are stuck in a situation that you have not been able to get out for months or even years? Do you feel you have done all that you know possible to remedy the situation? Maybe you have prayed, fasted, removed things or people from you that may have been part of the problem. Many times, we feel that our ways of solving the problem to the solutions we are seeking should have come by now. What we often forget is, we are looking for solutions that are beyond our limited abilities as human beings.

We have to remember that we have flaws, limitations, and weaknesses in so many areas of our lives, thus we need God to trust and lean on to guide us, temper us, and assist us with His divine and unlimited power. This happens when we choose to do a very powerful yet overlooked thing which is, waiting on God. I ask that as you read this article, you have an open and humbling mind so that it can help you as you understand the importance of waiting on God.

Oftentimes we get in the way of ourselves, thereby being an added addition to our problems. We look externally to the problems or trials we face instead of looking at the root of the problem which is ourselves. We feel if we pray for God to remove someone or something that will easily solve our problems. Our human nature is impatient and wants everything instantly. I call it the “microwave fix”. We do not have time to wait on our food so we throw it in the microwave so it’s ready in 10minutes or less; instead of allowing it to be cooked longer in the stove where our food can retain the savouriness and preservatives it needs. Sounds familiar?! I have been guilty of doing this on many occasions and I regret it every time. This applies in the same way when we look to God for quick answers to our prayers and not allowing God to prune and work in us the patience, we need to get the answers we seek. 

The benefits of waiting on God far outweigh the solution we think in our minds should remedy our problems. Some of the essential benefits of waiting on God are: it builds our faith, allows us to be refined, gives us time to examine ourselves, strengthens us, and develops our spiritual character. God is all powerful and knows all things. He operates on a divine supernatural level because He is divine. We must keep in mind that God knows everything about us and in turn knows what it takes for us to be victorious. God’s timing is divine and beyond our comprehension. In Isaiah 55:8-9, it tells us; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. v9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”. This verse is very humbling because it reminds us to stay in our lane and not try to equate the thoughts we have in our human nature to God’s divine nature. 

As children of God, we must truly understand we are in the care and love of God who has our best interest in mind and can give us supernatural peace. Psalms 27: 14 states, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” It may not be easy to do; however our hope and belief has to constantly be on God’s timing and not ours. The prophet Isaiah states, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40: 31

Once we make the decision to truly wait on God, what should we do in the meantime? Trust God while patiently waiting on Him. He knows everything about you because He created you. He knows about all the problems or trials you will face before they happen. Trusting God works the patience in us we need to get everlasting results. Stand firm on God’s Word and allow it to strengthen you. While you are waiting on God serve others, reach out to someone else going through a struggle and see how you can assist them because you are already assured God has your situation under control. As children of God, we must always remember we are our brother and sister’s keeper. 

Another important element is to expect God will deliver and answer you in His time while you are patiently waiting on Him. We come to God because He is able to help us, we are vulnerable and weak without God. It is also important to have a grateful attitude while patiently waiting on God so that you allow positivity to permeate in your mind and not negative thoughts that lead to doubt and impatience. 

In conclusion, waiting on God builds our spiritual character and gives us the godly courage we need as children of God to experience what God has purposed for us. We belong to God and He is molding us into perfection. Let us remember v2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; v3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. v4 “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” James 2-4.

–Tamara C.