I’ve been reflecting on waiting lately. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) tells us, “But those who wait on 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.” Now, I don’t know about you, but that verse is powerful. But, I’ll be honest, there’s something about it that has always stuck with me. The word “wait.”
Wait? Why wait? ugggghhhhhhh, do I have to? I know my Heavenly Father gets sick of me sometimes. To be honest, I get sick of myself too. But back to this waiting thing. Know that when I say “waiting,” I mean that deep, gut-wrenching, soul-testing kind of waiting where everything inside of you is screaming, “Lord, I can’t do this anymore. How long, Lord?” You know that kind of waiting? The kind where you’re not just sitting around twiddling your thumbs, but you’re actively struggling to hold on. Your mind races, your heart aches, and it feels like the clock is moving slower than molasses.
But here’s the thing: waiting isn’t just the absence of movement. It’s often the moment when God is doing the most in you, even though you feel like you’re standing still, on the other side of it you’ll realize you were being fitted for something just for you. We love the part about renewed strength and soaring on eagle’s wings, but the waiting? Not so much. In a world that’s obsessed with instant gratification, where everything is at the touch of a button, waiting feels counterintuitive, like we’re missing out on something. Like God’s not moving fast enough for our liking, or maybe He’s just forgotten us altogether.
But what if I told you that waiting, when done in faith, is actually one of the most powerful positions you could ever find yourself in?
The Power of Waiting on God
You see, waiting on God isn’t passive. It’s not about sitting idle and just waiting for something to happen. Waiting on God is an active faith. It’s choosing to trust, choosing to believe, choosing to hold onto His promises even when you can’t see them coming to pass.
In the waiting, God does His work in us. The long pause isn’t just about the what’s next, but also about the who we’re becoming in the process. Faith that waits is a faith that knows that God’s timing is always better than our own.
I remember a season in my life where I was waiting for clarity on a direction I felt God had called me to. My heart was heavy, and I couldn’t see the end of the tunnel. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that God was renewing me in the process. While I was focused on the destination, He was focused on strengthening my foundation. Faith that waits isn’t waiting without purpose. It’s a waiting that produces strength.
And that’s the twist! While we think waiting is the delay, it’s actually the development. We think we’re not moving, but in reality, we’re being prepared. The waiting season is God’s way of making sure we’re equipped for what’s coming, building endurance in us that will carry us through whatever’s next.
The Secret of Soaring Like Eagles
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) tells us that when we wait on the Lord, we will mount up with wings like eagles. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been fascinated by eagles. They don’t just fly, they soar. Eagles fly higher than any other bird, and they do it with ease. They don’t struggle against the wind; they use it to lift them up higher.
Here’s the plot twist: When you wait on God, He gives you the strength to soar above your struggles. You’re not just getting through the waiting season. Unh unh, you’re growing through it, gaining strength and perspective that you wouldn’t have had if you hadn’t waited. The soaring isn’t just about elevation, it’s about perspective. When you wait on God, you get to see things from His vantage point.
Imagine being able to look at life from the heights where fear, doubt, and discouragement have no hold on you. Waiting on God doesn’t just renew your strength; it changes your vision.
Walking in Faith While You Wait
The thing about faith that waits is that it doesn’t just hope for the best. It walks confidently in the truth of God’s Word while it waits. Faith that waits isn’t about ignoring the challenges around us; it’s about choosing to believe in what we can’t see. It’s about choosing to trust God’s plan over our own understanding.
In the waiting, there are practical steps we can take to keep our faith alive:
- Trust God’s Timing: One of the hardest parts of waiting is trusting that God’s timing is better than ours. It’s so easy to want things on our terms, but God’s timing always comes with perfect preparation. He’s never late.
- Keep Moving Forward: Just because you’re waiting doesn’t mean you should stop moving. Take small steps in the direction God has called you, even if they’re just baby steps. Faith that waits doesn’t sit still, it takes action while trusting God with the outcome.
- Rest in His Promise: While you’re waiting, remind yourself of God’s promises. He’s never failed you before, and He won’t start now. Let His Word be your anchor when doubt tries to set in. Trust that the same God who brought you this far will bring you all the way through.
- Be Thankful in the Process: Waiting doesn’t mean complaining. It means trusting. It means looking for the blessings even in the uncomfortable moments. Take time to give thanks for what God is doing in you while He’s doing it for you.
The Reward of Faith That Waits
There is a reward for those who choose to wait on God. It’s not just about getting what we want in the end, it’s about what we become in the process. Faith that waits doesn’t just strengthen our muscles for the journey; it shapes our character for the life ahead. As we wait on God, we become more like Christ, and that’s the greatest reward we could ever ask for.
So, what are you waiting for? Whatever it is, know that God’s mercy is new every morning, and He’s working while you wait. Your waiting is not wasted. It’s not a pause; it’s a preparation. Let your waiting be your place of strength as you mount up with wings like eagles and walk in faith while you wait.
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All Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise noted.