Practicing Patience When God Has You Waiting
Why won’t God answer my prayer?
Some days, it is a lot harder to be patient. When we’re bringing our concerns to the Lord again and again, we grow tired of waiting. It soon begins to feel like our prayers are falling on deaf ears. Often our desire is to take control and just “do the best we can”; it is our fleshly reaction to the silence. We know Galatians 5 lists patience as a fruit of the Holy Spirit so we confess our desire to rule our own lives. We ask the Spirit to fill us, empowering and directing us even as we continue to wait on the Lord.
This doesn’t mean our circumstances change.
Life Lesson: Time management
Are you still growing spiritually?: Check your compass and let God lead you
You are not alone in the waiting.
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” – Romans 8:22- 25 (New International Version)
Waiting is a common experience. All your brothers and sisters in faith, as well as all of creation know what it is like to wait on the Lord. Consider those who have waited before you: Job, David, a myriad of Prophets. There is plenty of encouragement in the Bible concerning a need for patience and those who have excelled in it. James 5:7, Colossians 1:10-12, Psalm 40:1 and Revelations 14:12 are just a few examples of the myriad of passages about the topic.
The New Bible Dictionary defines patience as “God given restraint in the face of opposition or oppression”. Patience is only needed when there is a reason to not wait. It is only necessary in the face of opposition. This is why seeking patience is in many senses a battle. The promise we can lean on here is that patience is God given restraint. The Lord is the one who provides us with spiritual armor to go into battle. We often think of patience as mere endurance, but such logic is faulty. We are not exercising restraint on our own strength. In truth, our only responsibility is to trust that God will provide the strength to hold on, and then act accordingly to our faith in that promise.
How is this strength given us?
We receive this strength by being filled with the Spirit. As Christians, we know that the ultimate source of patience lives within us. Our role is to trust that the Holy Spirit does live within us, and ask Him for strength to persevere in whatever situation we find ourselves in. This is a provision we can claim by faith as taught us in Romans 5:1-5.
Patience as listed in Galatians 5 is often called longsuffering. The original Greek word is makrothumio, meaning “long temper”. We are to keep a long and slow temper towards God, others and ourselves. This spiritual posture calls for grace. It is grace that compels us to trust God, grace that we can extend to others when they hurt us and grace to forgive ourselves when we stumble and fall.
The experience of waiting on God reminds us that our reality as Christians is not within our apparent circumstances, but rather in the truth of Christ’s love and life in us. This gives us hope as Romans 8:28 assures us that “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” It is not in our abilities to know the time or way in which God will work things out. Ecclesiastes 3:11 and Isaiah 55:8-9 are great reminders that these rest solely in the domain of God’s knowledge. Our role here is to trust the promise of Philippians 1:6 and wait with hope as God’s brings about to completion the good work He began in each of our lives.
What is our role in the battle?
Consider again the definition of patience as God given restraint. God allows us to access divine restraint, but it is our choice to accept it and act in willful obedience. Adam and Eve were given complete free will. They were gifted many provisions in the garden so they wouldn’t need to partake in the fruit that was forbidden. However, they chose to not exercise restraint and instead disobeyed God’s command. When we use God given restraint to wait on His will and timing, we renounce their fallen actions and step out in obedience towards God.
There is purpose in the process. Take a look at Hebrews 12:2. Waiting on God forces us to look to Him. It casts our eyes rightly to Christ as the source of our faith and the assurance of our salvation. It reminds us that Christ’s death and life is the reason we can be filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Trials cause us to persevere by deepening our knowledge of God and relying on him more intentionally. As James 1:2-4 tells us it is here that a mature and complete faith is grown.
Standing patiently when we wait on the Lord does not mean being stuck at a standstill. Consider Ephesians 6 which instructs us to “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then.” To hold ground by remaining obedient to the Lord while waiting is not passive. Note that the word stand is repeated three times. Patience is an act of the will to claim ground for the Kingdom of God, and is rewarded richly by Him. Revelations 3:10-11 tells us of God’s care for those who persevere through the battle.
Whether we feel we lack patience to wait on God, or to continue to love those that may be hard to love, we do in actuality have access to all the patience we need. We can trust God to give us the strength to bear our circumstances and instead use the time of waiting to grow in intimacy with the Lord.
Now what?
What to do while you’re waiting
How to develop God’s patient heart in your life
Are you struggling with patience and waiting on God? Write to one of our mentors today. It is free and private.
You must learn to be IMPATIENTLY PATIENT…Patient, but still with great expectation.. Knowing that what God has promised you, he is just and faithful to deliver..
Hi Carol, When I saw your comment I thought “Oh, that’s exactly what my pastor preached on on Sunday!” so rather than try to rehash what he said, you can watch the sermon for yourself here. It really encouraged me and I hope it can encourage you as well.
Please pray for me. I received a letter from the IRS office in Kansas City MO claiming that I owe over 8k in back taxes fronm 2005. My husband and I filed a Chapter 13 in 2007 and this tax debt plus other debts were included in the Chapter 13 and paid consistently every month for 5 years. Our Chapter 13 was paid off this year in Feb 2012 and discharged at the end of July 2012. This I believe has to be an error because we are just receiving this letter and for all other previous years we received refunds. This doesn’t make any since. Please pray that this situation on the IRS part is and error and that this will be cleared up today and that my name will be cleared. I don’t have 8K to pay off by Nov 8, especially just receiving this letter yesterday. Every 6 months while we were in the Chapter 13, the trustee sent us a document letting us know what our balance was for all the debts included and showed where the money we were sending to them every month was allocated and the taxes were listed within this document. My husband has just started back to work after being out of work for two months and we are in the process and we don’t need this drama right now!
Why do bad things happen when you are about to receive a blessing? I am so frustrated.
Chris, Sorry to hear that your wife has left you. Has God revealed to you what role/area you may have played in this separation? Had there been issues in your marriage that needed tending to but the two of you had not taken the time to work on them? It is hard to believe that the cause and reason for her leaving is menopause. Ask God to reveal to you what the real reasons are so you can then address them with your wife.
Father God, I pray for Chris and his wife. I pray that You would open Chris’s eyes in knowing what really went wrong in his marriage so they can work on the issues. I pray that if it is Your will for them to be reconnected that You will make away for them to be back together again. I pray for his wife’s salvation, which is the most important thing at this point, and once she receives Your unconditional love she will see her husband as You would have her. I pray that You give Chris wisdom and knowledge as to how to go about restoring this broken relationship. May Your love be the solution that binds them back together again. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
Wow, this is a fantastic article, and I feel like it came right when I needed it the most. As a single Christian woman in her mid-20′s I often feel so much pressure from my family to be in a relationship and start dating. I long for a Godly man to pursue me, but I also realized that so often I push my agenda over God’s agenda. I pray that I may always pursue patience and obedience to God’s timing :)
I married an unbeliever in December 2010, not long ago, we are both in our 50′s.
My wife went into monopause along with depression.
In August she made it clear that she didn’t want to be with me anymore and we seperated on September 1st.
I love her as I love myself and have been praying and waiting for her salvation and our marriage to be restored.
We have had virtually no contact since then, I must admit that it is driving me crazy being alone and imagining what she’s doing.I long to hear her voice.
I would ask that you pray for me, I need the strength to be patient, I know God has set the time for my prayer to be answered but have great trouble with my faith.
Please also join me in agreement that we will be restored.
God hates divorce!
God bless you.
Dear LC,
I can totally relate and understand what your son is going through. For many years, I battled with the same issues regarding appearance as your son is currently dealing with. I do not know if you are aware of a disorder called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) but you and your son may want to do some research on the topic. There are books available on the condition as well but some very good site online that will be of help as well if your son is suffering with this disorder. There is hope for those that do overcome the battle with the disoriented view of their bodies/poor image in the mirror and many are able to live independent lives.
Father God, I pray for LC and her son. I pray that You would correct, heal and restore that which as been done in the past to warp the poorly preserved body image of LC’s son. I pray that You will bring truth into his mind and heart so that he does not continue to fall for the lies of the enemy that there is something wrong with his looks. Father God, we know that You have great plans for this beloved son of yours and we ask that You would break all strongholds that is keeping him back from following such wonderful plans. I pray that You will place the proper information in arms reach so they can understand more fully what they are dealing with. I ask that You would begin restoring this young man’s self-esteem and worth so he can look in the mirror and see what You see. From the inside out may your Holy Spirit help him to become all that You desire. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
LC, Here is a link that you may want to read regarding the BDD and battling the ugly image in the mirror :http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/love-the-girl-in-the-mirror/ I pray that it may shed light on that which is taking place with your son.
My son who is in his late 20′s is still living at home, not because he is lazy or an underachiever. He is actually quite intelligent, has a good job and stays out of trouble. His problem is that he was born with a birth defect, which has since been corrected by plastic surgery, but still feels unattractive, although he is very handsome. He pays his own way, he is respectful and is a help to the household. For that I am very grateful. But my concern is not for me or my husband. My concern is for him, that he would as a young adult be making friends. pursueing a relationship with a potential mate, or going to college as he has always dreamed of doing. He feels ugly, even though he’s handsome. He has a distorted view of himself because of the things that happened to him in his earlier days due to the birth defect. Sort of like an overweight woman who manages to lose weight and looks great but still at times sees herself as a fat person. I am asking prayer warriors to pray for him as he is a private person and does not want my friends to know this about him. They hardly ever see him and have no idea this goes on, as he does not want me to share this with someone who knows him. Please pray also that he would lose all self consciousness and feelings of inferiority, and would gain confidence in a godly way to realize some of those dreams for his future that he holds in his heart and the plans that God has for him. Thank you so very much for your prayers, brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sharon you can’t go wrong when you are both praying and asking God to show you what the next steps are. But I am praying for both of you. Waiting is never easy…..I’m in a situation that is requiring waiting right now too and it has just forced me again and again to come back and tell God that I trust Him….
Beth, I also want to add that the fact that he does not seem to struggle with the no contact and is able to keep his distance? This is a bit conceinring…….HOWEVER i am at the stage where im not going to look at peopl’e words or actions or ideas or thoughts…..only God’s.
thanks again Beth- yes you are completely right. I think God has brought me to a stage where the next chapter needs to begin- with or without him. And i did earnestly pray for no more bad dreams, and another bad dream would have deifnately indicated that my friend was right in what she said about God speaking.Thankfully this did not occur last night,in saying this, God has given me this assurance that i feel when i read his word. Amidst all the sick feelings of me possibly hearing what i dont want to hear, he is telling me not to worry – and although i have to be careful, i have this strange hope. I find it hard to experience the absolutely no contact phase we’re going through, i pray that God prepares and protects me from anything hurtful. I will keep you in my prayers as well.
Hi Sharon,
Of course I will pray. Dreams can definitely be ways that God can speak but also ways
the devil can. I would caution you to rely solely on a dream as a sign. Ive also dreamed about something that’s just been on my mind. It sounds like a painful situation, I understand and have been there and am there right now in relational confusion. I know this man is being cautious but please use your judgement if its bordering him being wishy washy. Guard your heart and dont let your emotions be toyed with. Try and do your best to carry on with your daily activities and give it to God.
Beth, i thankyou so much for you response to my post. I am in love with this man and as he’s so unsure about marriage it makes me very uneasy. We have brought it up with the pastor before howver we cant go into too much detail about our relationship, also the pastor is aware and has encouraged him to pray about it, and actually encourage it however it comes back to him at the end of the day. I am ready to move to the enxt stage of my life, but i am so unsure as to why God is allowing this to be such a painful process.I also had a bad dream last night and had a friend say this is a sign from God- not sure if i should/ want to believe this. Please keep praying for me.
Hi Sharon,
Have you both considered seeking a Pastor’s advice on the matter? On and off dating isn’t a concern as many Christian brothers and sisters spend time together and relationships can develop. My concern is that you both went in with “marriage in mind” and it’s been “on and off”. I’m glad you are taking time to seek God in prayer, age isn’t always and indication of maturity, but I feel as you get older those decisions become easier to see sooner. I read somewhere online that six months is a good time to really know. I don’t think each case is the exact same, but it is good to have a timeframe in mind. Love can be confusing and emotions blinding. Do you both have similar goals/passions in life? You are saying he didn’t feel “peace” along the way, that is a matter that shouldn’t be ignored. There are many couples books out there that if you both decide to continue on, I would recommend reading. I don’t want to see you be strung along by someone who is wishy washy in their pursuit of you. I will pray for you Sharon.
Hi all, i can relate to this and im in need of prayer for my situation. I have been seeing a christian guy on and off for about a year- we initally went out with marriage in mind, however he did not feel ‘peace’ along the way- we never really stopped seeing eachother though. He recently said he had seriously started praying about it and wants God to show him what to do as he doesnt want to rely on himself. I Love him and he has told me the same. As of yesterday we decided to have no contact until we both pray and he is able to hear Gods voice and give me an answer- I pray that God prepares me for whatever it is, does anyone have advice?
dear marty– prayer–father God i pray for patience for him for this woman i pray for a quick healing for this woman and for your patience for marty give him a peace that passes all undestanding and give him strenght for patience to wait for this woman and bless him as he tries to support in any way he can i am praying for you i pray all of this in JESUS name amen. i feel for you patiuence is not easy waiting for things i am going through teh same thing but waiting for God’s will and HIS timing in my life to do what he wants from me.
I have been waiting for the woman I love for a year and a half. She has a very troubled past and is working through it. She is a very strong woman and I offer all the support i can. I believe all things happen in God’s time, but i must confess that it is very difficult not to want it in my time. I know God will bring about what is best for both of us but is is a struggle.
I totally agree Beth! We really need to be careful when we are convinced that someone is the one for us and God hasn’t told the other person the same thing!
Bimmy & Rich,
Hi there. Sounds like you both really care for them. I don’t know your whole situation, but saw your post here. I felt lead to share about my experience. There was a time two years ago when I fervently prayed for a Christian man that God had brought into my life. He was someone I really liked back when I wasn’t a Christian. He rededicated his life to Christ before me and we reconnected at church. I was certain that God had placed him in my life because he was the one for me. We had similar goals and a strong connection. But please be careful when you pray for a specific person, in my situation all the “signs” lead that way but it wasn’t the case. God had other plans for the situation, I may never know what they are. Guard your hearts and put Him first in your life, and He will provide what is good for you. God Bless.
Rich and Bimmy,
As a woman, mother and grandmother, I have just one question. Do these gals have a relationship with you? or are they someone that you each love but they have no interest in you? It’s important to discern if what we are waiting for is actually God’s will or just our desire. If Lily and Leslie have no interest in you, Rich and Bimmy, then perhaps God has another plan? Or on the other hand, perhaps you do just need to wait. He can and does work in wonderous ways!
Hey Rich, thank you for your response and God bless. Any changes in your situation? Leslie and I doing pretty good. She moved about an hour and a half away so she can attend college. She’s a Christian girl but has her flaws like we all do. I will pray for you and Lilly and please do the same for Leslie and me. I don’t feel so alone in my situation now lol. God bless you bro.
Bimmy,
I understand. Have been faced with the same situation. Her name is Lily, and all i want to do is marry her. I pray that the deepest love in my Heart will make its way to her, and that we will marry and be a family. I will pray the same for you. Keep believing.
Dear Bimmy,
Thank you for sharing. It is good to know you are trusting the Lord. He is faithful. Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, let us yet praise Him.
We have a wonderful team of online prayer mentors that would love to pray for you and with you. Just follow this linke http://powertochange.com/discover/need-prayer/ and one of them will email you back.
Blessings in Jesus’ name,
Kate
I am currently waiting on the girl I’ve been inlove with for years and I have a decent amount of patience but I do fall short sometimes. I pray everynight for God to bring us together. Her name is Leslie. Please pray for us and that God will work on our hearts. Thank you everyone and God bless :)
Dear RK, Thanks for sharing your own experiences with God! Your insight is right on! It is best that we sit tight and while waiting “obey” God. God works on His time table not ours and the more we rebel and try to bargain the more He makes us wait in time out till we wisen up to the wonderful things He has to offer. In His perfect timing He will move the clouds and allow us to see His beauty and purpsoes for the waiting.
Well, you can’t rebel and expect it to work; I already tried that. And you can’t bargain with God either; He doesn’t like that.
Seems all you can do is sit tight. When the cloud moves off the tabernacle is Gods decision.
my apologies it got sent by mistake before i finished. that you have GREAT plans for them and you love them with an everlasting love i pray all of this in JESUS name amen i feel for you i am waiting too for God’s plans for my life i know it will be great too i am praying for you God be woth you at this time love sharon
dear mrs royal– prayer–father God i pray for mrs royal for your hand ot be upon her and her family i do pray through this time of waiting that they will grow closer to you in jeremiah 29. 11 in the bible it says that you know the plans you have for them plans to prosper them and give them a hope a future and not harm them, you love them and give mrs royal a peace that passes all understanding that you do have
So glad you found our site and this article Kathryn and MrsRoyal. Going through difficult times is never easy but it does push us into the heart of God if we allow Him to be at work in the middle of it. God redeems the years the locusts have eaten we are told in Joel and I cling to that verse and the promise of God’s redeeming power in the midst of the tough times.
We have a wonderful team of online prayer mentors that would love to pray for you and with you as you go through the challenges in your lives. Just fill out the form on http://powertochange.com/discover/need-prayer/ and one of them will email you back.
I am so glad that I stumbled upon this. It has been so tough these past six years. Going through hard times and trying to understand why they last so long is one tough experience. My husband and myself have so many gifts, business ideas and dreams that have fallen to the ground. Thinking about it sometimes makes me sick to my stomache. I know that the lord is wanting my family to become so much more close to him. I know that all these years of having to wait are to preparing us for something great. This is a great teaching…keep up the good work.
I am closer to God than I’ve ever been before in my life, a direct result of fake friends, disconnected relationships, fake and failing business endeavors, being sick and tired of the dating scene/many disappointments and let-downs and finally surrendering and giving God a try; especially, since any and everything I’ve ever tried on my own seemed to last for short periods of time, before blowing up in my face. I am finally beginning to know what it feels like and means to actually love myself and others around me. The suffering has been great but I’ve learned so much and I feel so grateful to God for every single thing-big or small- that I’ve ever taken for granted in my old self. Thank you Lord and I praise you through my good times and my bad times. The waiting is hard but I am willing and able, through his grace and mercy, to endure.
I am so grateful for finding these readings. I am such an in-patient person, after ready thru here I have a better understanding of God’s word and relation to patience. I will continue to be patient and grow with his word. In Jesus name, Amen.
That is a great place to go Mrs. Jay. It is true that our patience stems from our trust that God is going to act in His timing and in His way. Focusing on His promises helps remind us of what He is doing and builds our trust in His character to accomplish His promises. Is that something that you and your husband do together?
Being patient is easier said than done… I’m a Christian and I believe in God and his son Jesus Christ, and there is no but after that. I’m just having trouble with my patience at a very trying time in me and my husbands life. I feel patience and faith work hand and hand. And I also think the reason we lack in patience is because we feel that God is not going to answer our Prayer at all. I’m going to do my best to fight against my own understanding/fleshly feelings and concentrate instead on God’s promises… He will never leave or forsake us.
This is an excellent article, and I know it will be helpful, as waiting and patience have not been my strong points; however, God is growing me, and He is showing me that He can truly transform the most impatient of people. I encourage each of you who are struggling to put your trust in Him and let Him work in You, believing He will come through for you. Truly, our God is a faithful God!
Isn’t it amazing to think that the God of the universe is interested in the smallest things in our lives? And He does not only answer our prayers but He blesses us at the most unexpected times!
I have maybe the most simplest thing to wait for.
An answer. To a very simple decision. What Keyboard to purchase (musical keyboard).
This is agonising me to tears – in knowing that i haven’t AS YET received a FIRM direction from God about what Keyboard to get (ie. an irresistible $$ deal or an absolute blessing – which he has given me many times).
I really believe this is God once again teaching me patience – and that’s why I’m crying – I’m realising this. I know he’ll give me an answer – and I will again cry in joy for the very definitive and unmistakeable Voice of God.
I do not know how ” good things come when we wait”. My question, what are we EXACTLY waiting for and WHY. Doesnt make any sense. Im sick of this patient game dicking around. Its called getting your ASS up and doing!! So ya’ll tell me. I have been so patient with people and everything. I have did my best. Im sick and tired is what I say. Love you GOD, but im venting and im tired. Its time to be blessing me and giving me miracles and blessings….peace
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All good things come to those who wait on the Lord and serve him with all of our strength.In Jesus name.Amen
For the past week I have been saying the Miracle Prayer everyday and reading 3 scriptures of Psalm a day. I have really grown into a patient person, at times I still fight the urge to take things into my own hands, but I know i passed my situations to God and I have to keep being patient and wait on his blessings.
Complete trust and surrender how difficult no matter how many miracles we have experienced in our lives. Well that is a statement which I have experienced I am assuming others have also. Once again G-ds timing reading this article at this time while I wait on G-d to show me the way and what is next. I love the statement if we are worn out with patience than we go ahead and do something justifying we have too. But I never thought of that as an act of disobedience towards G-d. May G-d Bless all of you and rejoice because today is the day the L-rd has made!
Brothers andsisters,I too struggle with accepting changes and requests coming in God’s time no tmine. So far the greatest result has been my own progress further on my path towards God as well as the presence of the holy spirit in my l;ife .Often when you ask for and wait for something big theHolySpirit is working to assist you in many ways that are small but blessed and significant
I am still grappling with:Patience, that it is only needed when there is a reason not to wait. Please clarify for me. Thanking you in advance.
Your brother in Christ,
Joseph
Because this is EXACTLY what i needed to hear, all I can say is “Thank You LORD for using Your daughter to speak a NOW Word to my heart!”
Now, two years has almost gone. God has always taught me the lesson of waiting patiently. I have leanrned to be patient with things and people. I know few verses from Psalm that talk about waiting. For example, Psalm 37:34 teaches us to wait for God and to keep His way, for He will lift us up. May this continue to be an article helpful for those who need.
It’s does get hard so hard when you have been waiting for the longest on God to truly start to bless you with what you are praying him for.I have ask the Lord to continue giving me patience with faith in my daily life.In Jesus name.Amen.Also,I will have been single and celibate so far on March3,2010.Bless be to God…
I just finished reading Passion & Purity by Elisabeth Elliot. And that book discusses so much about waiting, not in vain but actively! And I really admire the honesty of Jim Elliot about he felt about “Bett” as he fondly called her. And instead of giving in to his raging hormones, he threw his energy to doing what God wants him to do at that time. And when His perfect time came, he “demonstrated” his love for Bett by declaring his love finally and asking her to marry him.
In this day & age when people opt to go “instant” than to wait on the Lord, Elizabeth & Jim Elliot’s love story, which they placed under the lordship of Jesus, should be every single person’s standard.
I believe that waiting on God is part of one’s life. This is necessary as a lot of time we try to be in hurry when we have things to do.
“Blessed are those who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18) This verse tells us that if we wait for God, we can receive His blessing. So, for me it will much better for me to wait for Him so that I can be patient. Also, this is a way to get close to God more and more.
I hope that this article really helps people a lot.