Has God ever done something in your life that made you wonder, “Why did He wait so long?” What about the times when it seems like God is taking too long to answer our prayers? Read on to discover what the Bible says about God’s timing and why we should trust Him.
Why Does God Ask Us to Wait?
Sometimes, we don’t readily understand God’s plans, so we keep rushing things to work out. Psalm 27:14 instructs us to wait patiently for the Lord. But for what reasons? These will be discussed below, along with their justifications.
1. There is a time for everything.
The Bible tells us there is a time for everything, including God’s plans for us, even if it doesn’t happen right away. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” God may be asking us to wait because He wants us not to be easily caught up by the risks once we insist on forcing things to fall into place too soon.
In the book of Esther, we see how God protected His people from being destroyed by Haman’s plot. If Mordecai and Esther had acted any sooner or later, the outcome would have been different. But because they acted at just the right time, they were able to save their people.
2. We have to go through trials and tribulations before we experience true joy and peace.
In Romans 5:3-5, it says, “We also glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
God uses pain and suffering not only to transform us into better people but also to determine who among us is truly faithful to Him. On the contrary, those who keep on leaning on their own understanding do not acknowledge God, and as a result, they will not be blessed by God’s promise of eternal joy and peace.
For instance, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and suffered many years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Despite this, he remains faithful, eventually making him Egypt’s second most powerful leader. If Joseph had been released from jail sooner or later, he would have missed such an opportunity. This gives us hope that waiting for God’s perfect timing is worth it and is always better than ours.
3. Something greater is in store for us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).” Although we often get worried, tired, and exhausted in our lives, we have to trust that God is working all things for our good. He just desires us to grow our faith in Him as we wait for His blessings.
In addition, we must never forget that we are not in the same realm as God’s infinite wisdom, so we must trust that His plans are always far greater than anyone else. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
What Are the Top 3 Benefits of Waiting on God?
Waiting on God may be a nerve-wracking experience since it requires putting your confidence in something that you cannot see, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). However, by patiently training our mind and keeping our faith stronger than our doubts, we can reap the following benefits of waiting on God:
1. Renews Our Strength (Physical, Mental, Emotional, Financial, and Social)
As we wait on God, He never fails to renew our strength in all walks of life. Even when we are exhausted, He provides us the courage, energy, and ability to carry on. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
2. Gives Us A New Perspective
When we’re in the middle of our trials, it’s easy to focus on all the bad moments that’s happening. But when we wait on God, He helps us to see things from His perspective, which is always better than ours. He shows us the blessings in disguise, and how even though things may seem hard right now, they have the potential to bring us great joy.
3. Deepens Our Relationship With Him
Patiently waiting on God’s perfect timing implies that we trust His will. This allows us to focus on positivity and counter bad spirits that tempt us to do the opposite. And eventually, having trust that the Lord will answer our prayers strengthens our faith in God and keeps us coming back to Him, knowing that He is working all things together for our good.
The story of Abraham and Sarah is a perfect example of the blessings that come from waiting on God. They waited many years for the promise that God had made to them, and their faithfulness was rewarded with a son in their old age. This story tells us that no matter how long it takes, if we wait faithfully on God, He will reward us abundantly.
Indeed, waiting on God is worth it in the end. When we take the time to wait on Him and put our trust in Him, He will bless us more than we could ever imagine. So, let’s be encouraged to continue waiting no matter what we face, because when we do, great things will surely happen ahead of us.
Is God’s Timing Always Perfect?
While we may not understand why things happen when they do, or why God allows certain circumstances to occur, trust that His timing for our good is always aligned perfectly. In fact, even before we are born, God already knows each of our futures and what’s best for us. Jeremiah 1:5 states, “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ”Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
So, believe that although we often experience pain and distress, He already planned things perfectly. He may just want you not to rush things and trust the process instead, as this reflects on the extent of faith you have in Him. Also, have faith that He is always in control. This brings us peace and comfort, knowing that something awaits us for a greater purpose.
How Can We Overcome Our Doubts About the Way That God Works?
A lot of people doubt the way that God works. They don’t understand why He doesn’t answer our prayers right away or why He allows bad things to happen to us. Some people even go so far as to question God’s existence. It can be challenging to overcome these doubts, but there are a few things that you can do:
Pray for Understanding and Guidance
One of the best things to do is simply pray for God’s understanding and guidance. Ask Him to help you understand why He works the way that He does, and how His plans are ultimately for your good. You may not get an answer right away, but keep asking; you’ll eventually find comfort in knowing the answers.
Read Scripture
The Bible contains many stories, parables, and verses that can help you understand why God works the way that He does. Take time to read the Bible and allow its words to soothe your nerves. This can give you a better understanding of what it means to have faith, and how trusting in God’s plans is essential for growth and success.
Spend Time in Nature
Another way to overcome your doubts about the way God works is to spend time in nature and take a moment to appreciate the beauty around you. This can help you radiate energy to step away from your doubts and find peace in knowing that God is with you even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Talk to Other Believers
Talking to other faithful believers can also be incredibly helpful in turning your doubt into faith in God’s plans and purposes in your life. They may be able to relate to your struggles and give you wisdom based on their own experiences. This way, you could learn the essence of patience, so you won’t have to question God’s process of making things at its best.
Seek Counseling
If other things fail you, seek counseling from a trusted religious leader or mentor. They may provide much-needed insight and guidance that works for you to overcome your doubts of the way God works. They can also provide you with the tools and techniques that can help you to foster a stronger relationship with God.
By taking these steps, along with our patience and practice, it is possible to cultivate our faith in God that will carry us through tough times. This way, instead of doubting His plans, we can assure that everything is better in His hands.
What Should We Learn About God’s Sovereign Control?
God’s sovereign control over all of His creation, including us, is seen throughout Scripture. This suggests that God is in control of everything, and that nothing happens without His knowledge or permission.
This means we should not be under the sovereign of false idols or anything else—not even our own understanding—that harms our purity. Instead, we should highly depend on Him as the Creator of all things. Remember, His plans are perfect and always work out the way he intends. So, understanding God’s power and authority gives us confidence and peace that everything happens according to His plan.
Bottom Line
Although it may seem like God is dragging His feet at times to help us, His timing is always perfect. The stories in the Bible serve as a living testament of God’s timing at its best. These stories provide us with hope and comfort that God is in control, even when life seems out of our hands. And while it may not make sense why He’s choosing a particular moment to intervene in our lives, we can trust that He knows what’s best for us. So, instead of worrying about the timing of His plans, we can rest assured that those are all under His control. We just need to be patient and faithful to Him.
