When Waiting Feels Impossible

We live in a world of instant everything—instant messaging, same-day shipping, microwave results. But God doesn’t operate on our timeline. His timing is perfect, but rarely predictable.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

The Bible is full of people who had to wait:

• Abraham waited 25 years for the son God promised him.
• Joseph spent 13 years in slavery and prison before rising to leadership.
• Moses spent 40 years in the desert before leading Israel out of Egypt.

Waiting is hard because it feels like nothing is happening. But in reality, God is preparing something greater than we can imagine. He’s not just working on the outcome—He’s working on our hearts, our faith, and the situations around us.

Think of bread making—a process that requires time, patience, and trust. When dough is set aside to proof, it looks like nothing is happening. But inside, yeast is transforming the dough, strengthening it, and preparing it for baking. If you skip the proofing stage, the bread won’t rise properly—it won’t be ready.

God often works the same way in our lives, kneading us and shaping us. The waiting period is not wasted time—it’s the proofing stage where faith is strengthened, character is built, and God aligns things according to His perfect plan.  If we try to rush the process, we might end up spiritually weak, unprepared, or lacking the endurance God wants to build in us.

At times, we may not understand why God delays His answers. But we can rest in this:

• He is sovereign over time – Every moment is under His control. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
• He is faithful to His promises – He will always fulfill His word. (Numbers 23:19)
• He sees the bigger picture – What seems like delay is often divine preparation. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Even when waiting feels endless, consider those who came before us. In Hebrews 11, known as the “Hall of Faith,” we’re reminded that many faithful people trusted God’s promises, even though “they did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance” (Hebrews 11:13). Yet, they remained faithful, trusting that God was working out a greater story than they could see.

Instead of asking, “Why is this taking so long?” consider a broader question: “What is God doing?”

• What is He preparing?
• Who is He shaping through this?
• How is He working in ways I can’t see?

Delays are not denials. God is still working. And when His timing is right, His answer will be better than anything you could have imagined.

🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me trust Your timing, even when it feels like nothing is happening. Strengthen my faith and teach me patience in the waiting. Let me not rush ahead, but instead trust in Your process. Amen.

For Further Reflection:

📖 Lamentations 3:25-26 – “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”