Encouraging Bible Verses in your season of waiting

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Bible verses about waiting

The Bible contains many examples of God’s people going through periods of waiting. Looking at some of the scripture verses and people helps us understand why we are often required to wait in our own lives. God is strategic and has reasons for making us wait.

Encouraging Bible Verses about waiting

What’s the longest you have waited for something? A day? A month? A decade? When you think about the seasons of waiting in your life you’ll probably find in that period there have been times of joy, frustration and pain. Perhaps you’re still waiting on an unanswered prayer or unfulfilled dream?

In this blog post;

Read 13 encouraging Bible Verses about Waiting; Discover 12 reasons why God makes you wait, and explore 7 examples of God’s people who went through seasons of waiting.

12 Reasons why God makes you wait

1. God is preparing you for a higher calling 

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”

Psalm 130: 5

God uses seasons of waiting to prepare you for a higher calling

You may not currently have the experience, skillset or character for what is required of you or what you have prayed for. Over time this can be formed through new experiences, opportunities and new people. You can also use this time to reflect and learn. Then in God’s perfect timing you will be positioned into your calling. 

2. To mature and develop you

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3: 8-9

Waiting allows for maturity to develop.

Think of a wine maturing with age, it only gets better with time not worse. Time allows maturity and wisdom to develop in you, so try and see your waiting as a positive way to do this.

The Lord sees time in a completely different way. 

C S Lewis said ‘where, except in the present can the eternal be met’. It’s easy to get caught up in our longing for future needs and expectations. Or to live in past memories. God’s timing is not constricted or defined by the 24 hour clock or by minutes, days and years.

A nudging reminder

God works in his own time frame. Our waiting is a small nudging reminder that we are made ultimately for eternity and in our eternal life with Jesus. Understanding this can help put our waiting into a different perspective.

3. To test and develop your resilience 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16: 33

How do you react and respond when troubles and pressure comes?

God can test your resilience in a troubled waiting season. Do you trust and wait on the Lord, or do you rely on your own abilities which can often cause more stress and anxiety. Practice leaning into prayer and patience when pressure comes.

Learn to be more resilient

You can learn with the help of God to become more resilient. Jesus said ‘in this world  you will have trouble’ (John 16: 33). Following Jesus doesn’t mean our lives will be free of troubles but we can know that our faith in him means that he is with us and will provide a way for us to come through them.

4. To develop your character

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 5: 3-5

Developing your character

We develop character through suffering and perseverance, not in our seasons of joy. 

It’s certainly not easy to go through but God promises to be with us and to bless us as we trust in him. We are also asked to go through the season giving glory to God. As strange as this may seem praising God and giving God thanks, strengthens and builds us up. It puts the focus back on God and not on our situation. 

On a practical note I love to listen to worship music to do this. It allows me to fully focus on God and to praise him- no matter the situation. 

5. To bring restoration to your life

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah: 40: 31

God brings restoration

After a waiting season God restores and brings restoration. He brings you to a place of plenty. This could look like financial restoration, relationship restoration, health restoration, career restoration or emotional restoration. The time that it takes to restore is in God’s hands. As we see in the Bible and in our own lives it can be weeks, months, many years or even decades. As followers of Jesus we hand over the timing to God.

6. To enable you to rest and recover

“We wait in hope for the Lord he is our help and our shield.In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord even as we put our hope in you.”

Psalm 33: 20: 22

God can use the waiting

God can use the waiting to help you rest and recover before moving you into the next phase of your life. Sometimes this may look like physical rest or it might be emotional rest. If you have had a serious health issue God can also use a waiting season to bring about restoration as you recuperate. 

(Related: Rest Bible Verses & the importance of rest in the Bible)

7. To fit into God’s timing

 “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

God’s timing is always perfect.

He has a plan and a purpose for you but this can only take place at the right time. Trust Jesus with the timing. It’s easy to want to push ahead or for our thoughts to constantly be pre-occupied in the future. Giving focus to what you do now and how you do it can help you appreciate the waiting and prepare you properly for what comes next.

8. To return your focus to Jesus

‘’Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually”

1 Chronicles 16:11

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him” Psalm 62: 5

A period of waiting can help your focus return to God

You might feel that life has become too busy. Too busy to read the Bible, to read the word of God, to pray or to seek God’s presence. When you finally realise,  God is still there waiting for you. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there ways you can slow down? How can you make space in your life and find ways to put Jesus first? 

(Related: How to stay focused on God)

Slowing down

When we make things simpler and slower it gives us space for Jesus. No one ever finds peace and the presence of God in an overstuffed timetable and life. Jesus himself had specific periods of activity and periods of solitude and calm in his own ministry. He used the solitude to spend time in prayer and to re-charge.

Think of one thing that you could do today to slow down and help return your focus to God?

9. To strengthen your faith

“From of old no-one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts, for those that wait for him”

Isaiah 64:4

Strengthen your faith

When you go through a period of waiting it strengthens your faith, not weakens it.  The passing of time in the waiting allows your faith to grow. As you see how God works through your time of trouble and your difficulties it helps to reaffirm and strengthen your faith. It can also serve as a powerful testimony for other people.

10. To develop perseverance

“Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1: 2-4

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”

Galations 6:9

Develop perseverance and be steadfast in your faith

The definition of steadfastness is to be unwavering, to be firm in your belief. We need to have a steadfast love of our faith when tested. When we eventually come through periods of testing it allows us re-affirm our faith. Jesus is able to demonstrate his faithfulness to us and we in return show our faith in him. As we wait, we develop the skills to endure and to persevere, then at the ‘proper time’ we will reap a harvest. Is it easy? No, but it is possible with Jesus at our side.

11. To fufill the will of God and his purpose

As you wait God aligns events, people and opportunities so that the purpose of the Lord is fulfilled in your life. 

Reflect on something good that you waited for. Did it happen overnight? Or did it come about through a set of circumstances, people or events over time? This is why waiting is so important. God’s plan will align everything together at the appointed time. It’s tempting to want to take matters into our hands, but it’s God’s will for us to wait on his perfect timing. 

12. To develop patience

“Wait for Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord”

Psalm 27:14

Patience is developed in the waiting

In a world which wants to give us instant gratification, the kingdom of God works differently.  

God is not afraid to work slowly, to wait and to make sure the timing is perfect. The world wants you to work faster and quicker not slow down, God’s way often works in opposition to this. When we develop patience we are stilling our hearts. We can learn to delay gratification and be a better person to those around us. 

How does your heart respond in the waiting?

Do you wait with anger and frustration or do you wait with joy?

Are you waiting with an open heart, waiting for the right opportunities and listening to God? Or are you waiting with frustration and resentment? God uses everything, nothing is wasted. Your waiting season develops your heart. A heart that can give thanks, show God love and return the glory to God. 

Are you are waiting for something that isn’t God’s will for your life?

A challenging question to ask yourself – Sometimes you can wait for something that isn’t in God’s will for your life. God knows your heart’s desire but do you seek to know his will for your life? Are you listening? What you’re waiting for may not align with his desire for your life.

God only wants the best for you so if the answer is no there is a reason for it. 

A plan and a reason

You may not learn your reason this side of eternity but God always has a plan and a reason. If you are struggling with an unfulfilled dream ask God in prayer to help you. If it’s in God’s will trust it will happen at the right time.

Laying your dream down

If you’ve come to a point where you’re unsure then ask God for guidance on your next step. Sometimes in your waiting God asks you to lay a dream down. You can do this in prayer and by reading the bible and god’s word for guidance. Seek spiritual peace with your decision- peace in your body and mind. Listen to the holy spirit and allow God to show you a new dream, a new song and a new direction.

(Related: 9 Reasons why God hasn’t answered your prayer)

7 Examples in the Bible of people who waited

Moses

Moses waited in the wilderness for 40 years before God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and captivity. During the 40 years God developed Moses’s character ensuring he would be ready for God’s mission.

Find his story in: Exodus 3, 16, Exodus 17: 1-7

Joseph

At the age of 17 Joseph was given a vision of his life by God in his dreams. He saw his brothers bow down before him. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. During this time Joseph spent years in prison and went through many trials before finally becoming Pharoah’s second in command at the age of 30. It took 13 years for this to take place and for Joseph’s dreams to be fulfilled.

Find his story in: Genesis Verse 37 onwards

Anna the prophet

Anna, a prophetess spent her days worshipping, fasting and praying in the temple. As an old lady of 84 she waited a long time. She finally saw the Lord presented to her as a baby in the temple. Anna’s story shows us that age and time do not have limits for God. Her years of faithfulness were rewarded in her being able to see the Lord in her lifetime.

Find her story in: Luke: 36-38

Queen Esther

Esher used wisdom, prayer and fasting and waited patiently for the right time to approach her King. By doing so she ensured an audience with her husband and King and ultimately saved her people. 

Find Esther’s story in: Esther: 1-10

David

David had to wait more than ten years from being anointed by Samuel to be King, to actually becoming crowned King. During this time David faced many tests including living in the wilderness and being hunted by Saul and his men. David’s story shows the importance of waiting on God and not forcing our own timing.

Find David’s story in: Samuel 1 and 2 (and in Psalms)

Job

The steadfastness of Job is an example of waiting through suffering. Job was vocal about his suffering, he suffered loss of wealth, health and his children. Through it all he continually trusts and waits on God, despite the protests of his family and friends. We never learn why Job had to suffer so much but we do learn through his story of how to wait on God through adversity. Ultimately God shows he is a God of justice.  He brings Job through the suffering and hardship to a place of restoration, doubling what he had before.

Find his story: Book of Job/ Old testament

Jesus

Jesus was 30 years old when his ministry began. We don’t know alot about his life before this time but the Bible gives us glimpses. When Mary and Joseph lose him as a child and find him in the temple teaching, Jesus’s response is “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be ·in my Father’s house?’ (Luke 2: 49)  Even though it took 30 years for Jesus to start his ministry the period before this was a life of preparation. 

During his ministry Jesus was acutely aware of waiting for the right time in order for God’s will to be fulfilled. We see that;

• Before Jesus begins his ministry he fasts for 40 days in preparation.
• He reminds his disciples throughout his ministry of the importance of timing i.e He is very aware and specifies when his miracles should be made known or kept secret.
• The revelation of who he really is takes places slowly and specifically.
• The three years of his discipleship and ministry are ultimately pointing and leading us to the moment of his death and resurrection. 

Learning to surrender in times of uncertainty

Lamentations 3: 25

“The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”

The garden of Gethsemane

In his last hours in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus already knows what will happen next. We see him struggle with the enormity of what needs to take place but also his acceptance and surrender to it ‘not my will but your will must be done’ he cries out in prayer. We too can learn how to surrender to God’s will in our lives. 

In Jesus we see suffering in his crucifixion and death, but more importantly after three days of waiting after his death, we see the hope, joy and life in his resurrection. 

Through the example of Jesus we can learn to surrender and trust him in the difficult waiting times and times of uncertainty.

Final thoughts- God’s promises and personal invitation 

Jesus’s promise to us is that at the end of our waiting in this life, we too will be with him. No more pain, suffering and no more waiting.

Perhaps this is the real lesson as our soul waits – it’s a reminder in this lifetime- that we have much, much more to come- a hope and a personal invitation to an eternity with Christ Jesus.

13 Bible Verses about Waiting– Full list of the Bible Verses in this post