Waiting is Hard
Waiting is hard. Sometimes, waiting on God is incredibly hard. Waiting can feel like a giant roller coaster of faith—some days it’s exciting, some days it’s terrifying, and others you want to get off the ride.
Over the past few months, I’ve seen friends move out of the waiting season and into receiving their promises. Mind you, some of them have been waiting for over a decade, going through all the motions and emotions that come with waiting on God and His timing. Relationships have been restored, babies birthed, adoptions finalized, and houses moved—all orchestrated strategically by God’s hand. I’ve had a front-row seat to seeing God provide miraculously for people in this season and have been celebrating with them.
A Season of Waiting
At the same time, wondering when I would move out of the waiting place. In 2020, I took a leap of faith, following God into the unknown. It’s been an incredible season, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. But I’ve also been waiting on some things. The most consistent word I’ve heard the Lord say over the past three years is “wait.” So, here I am, waiting.
This season has given me such an appreciation for the Sarah of the Bible (and not just because we share the same name). She and her husband Abraham were both advanced in age, and they hadn’t had any children. Likely, in their younger years, they tried and tried to conceive a child and were unable to do so. Did Sarah feel shame and guilt as a result? Was she mocked by other women because of this? How did it affect her relationship with her husband?
We don’t know the answers, but it’s not hard to imagine that their lack of children would weigh heavily on the couple. Then, when Abraham was 75 (and Sarah was 65), God gave him this promise:
“I will make you into a great nation,
Genesis 12:2 (NIV)
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.”
Ten years later, God renews His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15, promising Abraham that he will have a son who is his flesh and blood. Sarah and Abraham had waited for decades for a child, and now God promised to give them what they had longed for. But God didn’t give them a timeline, so the couple trusted and waited.
Waiting is Hard
Then in Genesis 16, Sarah forces her servant Hagar to sleep with Abraham, which results in a son, Ishmael. Of course, this wasn’t God’s perfect plan, and it caused immense harm, especially to Hagar and Ishmael, who were eventually sent away.
So much injury came from Sarah and Abraham’s decision; we’re right to focus on that. But I don’t think that one horrible decision is reflective of Sarah and Abraham’s faith. In fact, I think they both waited faithfully for many years.
They probably woke up some mornings full of faith, expectant that God would provide. On other days, maybe they grieved or were angry because waiting is hard. Some days, they probably didn’t want to think about the promise anymore. But they persevered in faith for ten years. And after Ishmael was born, they waited another thirteen years before Isaac, the promised child, was born.
This couple was far from perfect as they waited for decades. They likely experienced every single emotion that we do when we’re waiting. Sometimes they were successful, and sometimes they failed, but God was still faithful to them. And if you’re in a waiting season, God is with you and faithful to you (even if it doesn’t feel like it right now).
Related Post: When You’re Tired of Waiting
You Don’t Have to Wait Alone
When I first started writing this, I was struggling, asking God where He was in the midst of my situation. I was rejoicing and celebrating with my friends and thanking God for His faithfulness, but I was also wondering when God would move on my behalf. When would I get what I had been waiting on?
A couple weeks ago, I got news of a door opening. 2023 has been a year of doors closing, so for one to open was a huge deal. What amazed me is that I got the news about this new opportunity on the same date God told me to step out in faith three years ago. I’m trying not to read too much into this, but I can’t help but see the intentional hand of God in that detail. It’s a sweet reminder of God’s faithful presence and detail-oriented nature.
If you’re in a waiting season, know that you’re not alone. The Lord is with you, and we are as well. It can be exhausting to be in a waiting season, especially for a long time, so if you’re feeling tired, know that that’s normal. If you’re grieving, angry, excited, or any other emotion, those are all normal in the waiting.
Please don’t feel as though you’re left to wait alone. If you’re in a waiting season, reach out to a trusted friend and let them know what you’re going through. And feel free to share with us what’s going on and what you’re waiting for—we’d love to be praying with you and for you!
Celebrate the Wait
If you’ve come out of a waiting season, I’m so excited for you! I’m rejoicing with you! Thank God that He is faithful to His word and promises. And thank God for His powerful presence with us in every season.
Please don’t celebrate alone. If you’ve come out of a waiting season, share your story with a friend—you never know how that will encourage someone. And, if you have the capacity, please join us in praying for those in our community who are in a waiting season.
Waiting can be hard, but thankfully we don’t have to do it all alone. We can rely on the faithful presence of God and the incredible people He has brought into our lives. Let’s lean on God and others today!
