The Struggle and Blessing of Leaning Into a Waiting Season

SARAH FIGUEROA • JAN 11, 2024

“Yeah. I can be a pretty patient person….until I’m not.”

I would like to think that I have a pretty high patience level... Is there a really long line at the grocery store when I’m only purchasing one thing? No problem, it’ll be my turn eventually. The light turned green and the person in front of me isn’t moving? I’m not gonna honk just yet, they’ll get there eventually. God hasn’t brought physical healing to this painful thing I’ve been praying about for a long time? No problem, He is still good, the pain isn’t too bad and healing will happen in His time. In our instant gratification society, this sounds pretty high patience level-esque am I right? Yeah. I can be pretty patient….until I’m not.

What happens when the doubt settles in and my emotions start getting the best of me? What happens when days turn into years of what I believe are unanswered prayers and unfulfilled “God given” desires? What happens when that voice starts poking at my insecurities telling me I’m not seen or heard or loved? THAT'S the kicker. That’s where my patience becomes weak. I hope I’m not the only one who struggles with this, and I don’t feel like I am. Waiting is hard y'all, and I think we can all agree with that.

When someone hears the phrase “waiting season” the tendency is to think “singleness”, but there’s so much more to it! You could be waiting for a job, a new place to live, an opportunity to move out of your parent’s house, getting out of a job you don’t like, healing, growth, an encounter from God, the list goes on. All in all, those desires aren’t bad and they really can (probably are) in alignment with God’s desire for us. So what do we do when we’re praying, waiting and surrendering and the frustration and doubt begin to creep in?

First off, I think it’s important to note, your frustration and even heartbreak in a waiting season is validated, and you are not wrong for feeling that way (I have to tell myself this often). God sees that and you don’t have to hide your negative emotions, He knows what you’re thinking and feeling anyway (Psalm 139:2), so let Him be your comfort. Remember, His Holy Spirit lives INSIDE of you. He is speaking to you and praying for you and guiding you. (See Romans 8: 26, John 14:16-17). His Spirit also gifts you the peace, patience and joy needed in a season of waiting (and just everyday in general) (Galatians 5:22). You have access. And the enemy’s lies, and our doubts sometimes cause us to forget that. We don’t have to let him in. We have everything we need to be victorious, fulfilled and at peace (2 Peter 1:3).

Let His Word wash over you. Let His Word be the sword that exposes the divide between your human tendency to lean into what’s comfortable (a victim mindset, taking control or becoming doubtful or apathetic) and what the God of the universe says and does for you (See Hebrews 4:12, Romans 8 [just all of it, He loves you], 1 John 4:16). Let it strengthen you to walk in the promises of God that reveal a tender and strong Father who is working in you and through you even in your waiting, even when we don’t see or understand it (Philippians 1:6). Waiting isn’t always fun, but what you can learn about Jesus and yourself in the midst of this season is so sweet.

Lean in, friends.

I’ll leave you with this encouragement, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” - Hebrews 10:23.