The Challenge of Waiting
Waiting—it’s almost like a curse word for most of us. Truthfully, as Christians, we are waiting for something our entire lives. If you choose to have hope, you have automatically chosen to wait. Life is a combination of endless struggle and waiting. Though that may not sound like great news, it is reality.
How well we navigate and master both waiting and struggle determines how well we will do in life. When we understand this, it sets us up for mental strength, resilience, and faith.
It’s a tragedy that we rarely talk about waiting in the local church. I hardly ever heard sermons about waiting on the Lord, and because I didn’t understand this concept, I struggled in many areas. When God didn’t answer my prayers within months—or even years—I felt frustrated, defeated, and angry. I wanted to give up and take matters into my own hands. I didn’t yet understand the power and purpose of waiting.
The Lost Practice of Waiting on the Lord
When was the last time a preacher or therapist told you, in the middle of your pain, “Wait on the Lord”? We don’t often hear this today. Our culture is obsessed with immediacy—instant gratification, fast food, overnight success, and quick fixes for every kind of discomfort.
The idea of waiting for an answer, waiting for the right path, or waiting on God feels foreign and uncomfortable. Even I once questioned whether it was truly biblical (how wrong I was). Yet, waiting is central to the Christian walk. Seeking God in prayer and waiting for His answer is deeply scriptural.
This doesn’t mean we sit idle or do nothing. But constantly pushing doors open on our own or trying to control outcomes is not how Jesus designed us to live. For us “doers,” waiting on God feels like torture. We don’t know how to wait—or even practice it. Instead, we rush ahead and expect God to bless our plans afterward.
There are times when we must step out in faith even without full clarity, but it’s still vital to wait on the Lord until we have His peace. The more we wait, the more He reveals what to do, what to change, and what to release. His guidance protects us from exhaustion and wasted effort. Being with Him is never a waste of time.
Stillness: The Art of Listening
Waiting on God means choosing stillness, quietness, and a posture of listening. As believers, the Holy Spirit guides our inner being—but we must slow down long enough to hear Him.
When we come before the Lord, we often do all the talking—singing, praying, pleading. There’s nothing wrong with this, but we miss something sacred if we don’t take time to be still. In stillness, we become more aware of God and of ourselves.
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Why does He call us to be still? Because there is power in quietness. Waiting on the Lord demands silence in a world full of noise and distraction. It’s an act of returning to His presence with our questions and wandering hearts.
The Refining Work of Waiting
Waiting does something deep within us—it gets rid of us. Much like fasting, it kills the flesh. Waiting exposes what’s really in our hearts—how we respond when life doesn’t go our way, when prayers go unanswered, when desires remain unfulfilled.
This process, painful as it is, shapes our character. True transformation happens not by striving to change ourselves but by yielding to God in quiet trust. Waiting develops steadiness and spiritual maturity.
As we lean into Him, our focus shifts from what we are praying for to who we are praying to. Our hearts begin to align with His, trusting His way and timing as enough. Even if our prayers aren’t answered as expected, waiting teaches us to rest in His goodness and sovereignty.
Waiting and Mental Wellness
What does waiting have to do with mental and emotional health? Everything. Waiting is confrontational—it forces us to face where we truly are. It builds patience, which is essential to healing and wholeness.
In a world that avoids discomfort, many turn to quick fixes or medication for instant relief. But waiting brings discomfort to the surface, allowing God to meet us there.
Waiting on the Lord is key to mental wellness. Seeking His face is vital to recovery, because only He can show us the best path to healing—sometimes even working a miracle in the process. When we rush ahead, we risk taking the wrong advice or making harmful choices that delay our restoration.
Waiting develops character, intimacy, and trust. It births something new in us and puts to death what needs to go. Psalm 62:1 reminds us, “Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.”
Renewed Strength Through Waiting
Waiting on God activates freedom and miracles. Though it strips us of pride and comfort, it opens our hearts to hear Him. When we wait, He strengthens us for the journey ahead.
Isaiah 40:31 declares, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.” Eagles don’t exhaust themselves trying to fly—they wait for the wind, then surrender to it. Likewise, when we wait on God, we learn to surrender and soar.
We don’t have to fight every battle or figure everything out. God calls us to rest while He works. He desires to strengthen us as we stand firm in faith.
Standing Firm in Faith
Ephesians 6:13 tells us to “put on the full armor of God… and having done everything, to stand firm.” Once we’ve done all we can, our role is to stand and wait.
The armor represents a balanced Christian life—salvation, righteousness, peace, truth, faith, and the Word. When we live clothed in these virtues, our calling is simply to stand still and trust God to handle the rest.
In a noisy, hurried world, we forget how powerful stillness can be. We will all wait in some way, but how we wait makes all the difference.
The Blessing of Waiting
If we wait idly and without purpose, frustration grows. But if we wait on the Lord, He promises blessing. Waiting weakens the flesh and strengthens the spirit. David knew this well: “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day” (Psalm 25:5).
God longs to bless those who wait on Him. Isaiah 30:18 assures us that “the Lord waits to be gracious to you.” Lamentations 3:25 adds, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.”
A Final Encouragement
If you find yourself in uncertainty, wait on the Lord. Don’t rush ahead until His peace fills your heart. If you’re waiting on a promise, don’t give up. Stay in His Word, guard your heart, and trust His timing.
Waiting is never wasted when it’s done in faith. It strengthens your inner being and prepares you for what’s ahead. Rushing may lead to mistakes or blessings you’re not yet ready for.
Trust God’s perfect timing. When His promises are fulfilled, you’ll see that your waiting was never in vain. “Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5)
About the Author:
Elena Huggins is a passionate communicator who desires to inspire, challenge, and empower her audience to make the changes they need to live better lives. She is a lover of Jesus, a musician, and an entrepreneur.
Over the last eighteen years, Elena has spoken across a variety of stages to different audiences using a straightforward approach, unapologetic challenges, and biblical truths. She is devoted to the Gospel and seeing God’s people strengthened, free, and more in love with Jesus.
Elena has had much experience in the area of mental and emotional health, with her own personal journey to overcoming trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Her experience includes: working with trafficked victims, working at the rape crisis center, one-on-one coaching sessions, and pastoral care. She graduated HILC with an Associate’s degree in Pastoral Care & Leadership.
Elena resides in the mountains with her two beautiful daughters.
