Why Does God Make Us Wait? Finding Faith and Purpose in Life’s Delays
I’m tired of waiting for everything and anything.
Let’s talk about something that’s been heavy on my heart lately—the “waiting” season that God places us in. I don’t know how long this post will be—depends on how much my brain decides to ramble and how fast my fingers can keep up.
Wait.
Let’s start with the definition. According to Cambridge.org:
“To allow time to go by, especially while staying in one place without doing very much, until someone comes, until something that you are expecting happens, or until you can do something.”
I can’t be the only one struggling with impatience. Why is it that some people seem to get what they want in the blink of an eye, like everything just aligns perfectly for them, while others, like me, are placed in this constant holding pattern? Whether it’s getting married, having kids, finding my dream career, buying a house, or even getting a dog—it always feels like God wants me to wait.
Here’s what I think: waiting is God’s way of teaching us patience, trust, and faith. But let’s be real—it’s hard. Waiting feels like being stuck in a never-ending line, watching everyone else move forward while you’re standing still. It’s frustrating, confusing, and sometimes heartbreaking. I’ve found myself asking, Does God even hear me? Does He see me trying to stay hopeful and faithful in this season of waiting?
But here’s what I’ve come to realize: the waiting season isn’t about punishment or being forgotten. It’s about preparation. God isn’t withholding things from us; He’s shaping us for the blessings He knows we’ll receive. Think about it—if God gave you everything you wanted right now, would you truly be ready for it? Would you have the wisdom, the strength, or the character to handle it?
The waiting season is where growth happens. It’s where trust is built. It’s where you learn to lean not on your own understanding but on God’s timing and plan.
Proverbs 3:5-6 always comes to mind:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
It’s not easy, though. There are times I’ve felt bitter, even angry, and I’ve cried out, “Why, God? Why do I have to wait while everyone else moves forward?” But in those moments, I’ve felt God gently remind me: I’m with you. I haven’t forgotten you. I’m working on something greater than you can imagine.
If you’re in a waiting season right now, here are a few things I want to remind you of:
You’re not alone. So many of us are in the same boat, waiting for different things. Finding community can make the waiting feel less lonely.
God’s timing is perfect. He sees the bigger picture and knows what’s best for us, even when we can’t understand it.
There’s purpose in the waiting. Use this time to grow, prepare, and deepen your faith. Don’t waste it wishing it away.
Your time will come. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, He has made everything beautiful in its time. Trust that your time is coming, and it will be worth the wait.
Let’s be honest: there have been moments where my impatience has gotten the best of me. I’ve tried to jump the gun, only to find myself overwhelmed, screaming, “GOD HELP ME!” But you wouldn’t know it by looking at me—I’ve mastered the art of looking calm on the outside while my brain is running around like it’s on fire.
I’ve learned this skill from my career in healthcare. Sometimes, in the face of chaos, everyone looks to you for a reaction. If you panic, they panic. It’s kind of like when a child falls—if you overreact, they start crying harder, not because of the fall but because you panicked.
And honestly, I believe God has a sense of humor. Don’t you? Sometimes, I feel like I need to remind Him, Hey, I’m still here waiting, as if He doesn’t already know. But then I remember—God is bigger than all of it, and He doesn’t need my help.
The other day, Kurtis (my boyfriend—if you’re new here, hi!) said something that hit me: “What if God is waiting for you?”
Have you ever heard the story about the man who was drowning?
The first boat came by and asked if he needed help. The man said no, “I’m waiting on God to save me.” The second boat came by, and again the man said, “No, I’m waiting on God to save me.” A third boat came, and the man gave the same answer. Eventually, the man drowned. When he met God, he asked, “Why didn’t you save me?” And God replied, “I sent three boats.”
What does this mean to you? Comment your thoughts and feelings about this.
I’ve been here before—unemployed, struggling, and feeling stuck. I begged God to help me, only to find myself right back where I started. Every time I tried to escape my career in dental hygiene, I’d see signs nudging me back. It was annoying and, at times, disheartening. The same thing happened with writing. Whenever life felt too overwhelming to bear, I’d pick up a pen and find a sense of calm I couldn’t explain. Writing was always the answer, even when I tried to run from it.
So, while we wait, let’s choose to trust. Let’s believe that God’s plans are good and that He’s working behind the scenes in ways we can’t see. Let’s grow in the waiting, holding onto hope and faith.
Because when the waiting ends? Oh, what a celebration it will be.
Hang in there, beautiful. Your time is coming and Everything’s Fine.