I absolutely hate waiting! Don’t you? We wait at the store, in line at the post office, and my favorite…waiting in traffic! So why does God want us to wait? Waiting on God has always been a challenge at times for me.
Since I was a teenager in Drivers Education with the instructor next to me, I slowed down to a stop as the light turned yellow. Especially in my younger years, It was sometimes a warning sign for me to speed up before the light turned red! Then I would be looking over my shoulder to make sure I made it through the intersection in time!
Why? Was it really worth it? Was waiting at the light really going to hurt? I have been blessed that I never caused an accident or was a victim of an accident in that situation.
It is similar to why waiting on God for his direction has been so hard for me sometimes. There are prayers for guidance and wanting an answer right away. It seems I am constantly calling out for healing want from what ails me ASAP!
I want my friends and family to receive the help they needed yesterday. You get the point. However, every day I am learning about waiting on God for his blessing and guidance. He knows everything, and He has a definite plan for my life. So I am doing my best to avoid rushing ahead on my own.
Here are 5 essential reasons why we should wait on God’s guidance. I pray you are reminded of these the next time you are waiting on an answer or direction from God.
1-Danger. There can be unforeseen heartache or disappointment or even danger ahead if we move forward without His guidance. God knows everything. Especially the dangers we cannot see or anticipate.
2-Develop the right time. It may not be the right timing for our requests. God is always working behind the scenes to develop the situation he has planned for us all along. Whether it be a particular job, relationship, or opportunity. There are several instances in the bible where prayers were not answered until the right time to accomplish God’s will. (Hannah praying for a child. 1 Samuel 1:15)
3-Determine our Motives. Sometimes we do not receive it when we ask for something because our motives are for the wrong reasons. (James 4:3) We need to be honest with ourselves.. will God be glorified, or are our motives for selfish reasons?
4-Divine strength. As we seek God’s will and desire His direction for our lives, He will give us the strength to do want is needed. Whatever His will is, He will carry us through. It’s not always easy, and there will be difficulties, but God wants us to realize our dependence on Him. Then He gives us the strength to accomplish His will for our life.
I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
5-Deepen our Faith. Waiting on God increases and strengthens our faith in Him. We learn more patience, and our trust in God intensifies! Most importantly, we have God’s peace knowing that when He does give us the “green light,” we are in His will. There is not a better feeling in the world as we journey on the highways of life.
In Isaiah 40:31, God says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Also, in Lamentations 3:25, it reads, “The Lord is good to those that wait for Him, to the person that seeks Him.” Seek God by being in His word consistently. He may reveal knowledge that will help you in your decision-making.
These scriptures are uplifting and remind us of the benefits of waiting on God. I admit I still struggle with this, but I am improving each day. My prayer is that you will make it a point to remember these reasons in situations where you feel God is moving slower than you’d like. God sees what lies ahead, so be willing to “slow down at the yellow light” and Wait on GOD!
Food for Thought
What about yourself? What do you do when you are waiting on answers to prayer?
How do you handle impatience? (Share your thoughts in the comments)
Horace Williams Jr is the oldest son of a pastor who went to be with Jesus in 2020. He is an award-winning author and amateur chef who loves Jesus Christ. His passion for Christ inspires readers to draw nearer to the God who loves them.
Such good reminders–God is so patient with me, yet I am so impatient. Thanks for linking up with FTAF. Thanks for checking out my chili recipe too! Blessings to you!
Thanks for the visit Chellie! I so appreciate your comments. I too suffer from impatience at times. I am thankful that my Heavenly Father has been patient with me and He continues to mold me into the man He desires. May God bless you and yours!
This is a great post. I know I can be quick to be impatient when praying, but I have to remember that God is patient with me. #FTAF
Thanks for visiting and your comment Victoria! The good thing to remember is that God created us. He knows everything and yet He still loves us. What an amazing God we serve! Thank you for allowing me to share. May God bless you and yours!
Horace, I agree waiting is hard. But I try to remind myself God’s timing is not my timing, and He is all seeing and all knowing. Waiting can be God’s protection, provision, and helps me lean into His strength. Thank you, friend, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing.
A special thanks to you, Horace, for supporting us in our goal of investing in the next generation! : )
Thank you Crystal for your visit and encouragement. I am always encouraged and/or inspired when I visit Intentionally Pursuing. I am truly blessed when I visit. I am learning each day to wait on God’s leading. I am thankful for how God continues to bless me when I wait on Him. Please be careful on the bike ride. Prayers for protection my friend. God bless you and yours!
I agree with all of your points but number 3 stood out to me. I love that God gives us time to determine our motives. Searching our own hearts is so important.
Thanks Ana for visiting and your comment! I am learning how important it is to search my own heart when seeking an answer from God. I am thankful for His patience, love, and understanding. Thanks again for visiting. Have a wonderful week and may God bless you and yours!
Beautiful confirmation of lessons I am presently learning (all over again)… I am not impatient but I really like to be in control…so when it comes to prayer and waiting on the Lords time…I have a lot to learn. I have recently been challenged by God to do things His way…and the results are phenomenal…God always, always knows best…Blessings
Thanks for visiting and your insightful comment Ariete! The fact you are continuing to learns is a testimony that you are growing in Christ! I agree waiting can be hard but like you said when we see God’s plan revealed…Oh what a blessing! Thanks again for visiting. Have a wonderful week. May God bless you and yours!
I agree with your five reasons, Horace! I need to remember these when I want to jump ahead of God.
Thank you, Lisa. I was thrilled to see this old post in my archives-especially with God giving me the word PATIENCE for 2021. So, I thought I would spruce up this poignant post and share it again with the world. Have a blessed day, sister.
Great post! Love your graphics too!
Thank you, Barb, for your kind words and for visiting. I’m glad you like the graphics, too. I so enjoy creating the perfect graphic to bring honor and glory to God. Have a blessed week!
I love that you pulled something from your archives. It proves that God’s word never changes!
Thanks Barb. So, true. But I had fun updating post with new images.
Thank you for clarity about patience l always wanted to understand Psalms 40 vers 1 but all these steps enlightening a lot .God bless you.
Thanks for visiting. I’m humbled that God used me to help you regarding patience. It is challenging for many of us. May God bless you and yours.
hi Horace,
knowing why I’ve been so impatient to find love because of the lack of it in my upbringing has caused me much grief in my life. I am determined to seek Gods will and wait patiently for when he will send me a good Christian man.
Thank you for these five powerful Godly points on “Waiting on God”.
I am thrilled to read this post was an encouragement to you, Sharon. Trusting God’s timing can be challenging for many of us at times. However, whatever or whomever He has in store for you will be worth the wait.
When it comes to waiting on the Lord, knowledge of how he works under such circumstances can only be had by spending lots of time in his word, in prayer, and obedience to his word. The longer we have to wait, the greater will be the required level of faith and patience. Perseverance also plays a very important part in the waiting process. All of these requirements which guarantees we wait the required time, is only possible by the daily infusion of God’s Holy Spirit.
Well said, Trevor. Thanks for visiting and sharing. Have a blessed day!
More of God’s Grace in your life and ministry in Jesus name.
Thank you for your prayer, Philip. May God bless you in all your endeavors.