Waiting takes endurance. It can be hard to pray, wait for an answer and seemingly not see a result. The Bible acknowledges that deferred hope can make the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). This is why patience is necessary in the midst of waiting. Waiting is not passive. The word in the Bible for waiting is translated from the word, “qavah” which is to hope or expect. Even our waiting is active! It is an active expectation. That does not undermine the pain that can be felt in seasons of waiting but this is where patience comes in.  It is the ability to endure in the midst of any emotional or spiritual strain that waiting can bring.

Below are four Biblical principles that we can apply in our walk of patience.

1. Prioritise

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

The quality of patience as described in Galatians 5:22 is synonymous with long-suffering. It’s the idea of being able to endure a hard or undesirable situation without wavering.

Let’s make something clear, the Bible does not ask us to endure oppression, or sickness, or evil with a spirit of patience or long-suffering that means we do not pray about a situation. In Matthew 4:24 we see that the Lord Himself healed many people with various afflictions; God is in the business of helping those who are afflicted because He loves us.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. James 5:13

A call to long-suffering is not a call to complacency. We still have the privilege of praying to the Lord and Him hearing our call in the midst of difficulty whilst also walking in the fruit of patience.

The children of Israel were enslaved to the Egyptians for generations before the Lord saved them (Exodus 3:7-8). He said that he had “hear their cry because of their taskmasters”. Hannah prayed earnestly for a child in the midst of barrenness and God answered her (1 Samuel 1). David many times asked God to save him from his enemies (Psalm 54:1), and the Lord answered Him too. The Bible is clear – if you are in trouble, pray. Cry out to the Lord. Praying to the Lord does not mean you are going against His statute to walk in patience. It is about what you do whilst that prayer is being answered: that is what constitutes the patience.

We are not told how many years Hannah waited for a child, but we do know that she went to Shiloh (a place of worship) with her husband “year after year” (1 Samuel 1:3-7). Likewise, we do not know how long Elizabeth and Zechariah waited for a child, but we are told that they followed the Lord (Luke 1:5-9).

What does this tell you? As you wait for God to answer your prayer, continue to put Him first. You may be tempted to question why you should continue to serve, worship, or follow God if He has not answered you. This is where you get to walk in the fruit of patience.

God can answer your prayer in an instant if He wills it, and sometimes that is exactly how God works (2 Kings 6:17). Other times, God may be putting other things in motion beyond what we can see so that we can receive an even richer testimony (Galatians 4:4-5). Keep at the forefront of your mind that you are not waiting for God to “get an idea” as to what to do; He already has a good plan. Nor are you simply waiting for your prayer to get answered. Let God be your priority. Don’t put your whole attention on waiting for the testimony, instead, seek God. Like Elizabeth and Hannah and David, serve God. Worship Him and honour Him, then all these other things will be added onto you.

2. Pursue

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

As we put God first, it is also important to pursue the things of God. This includes seeking God’s grace to be able to be patient. We should also think on things that are good as recommended in Philippians 4:8, and dwell in the Word of God.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

As we pursue these practical Godly things by redirecting our mind to God’s promises when we feel weary, thinking on good things when we feel discouraged, or asking for His grace when we feel weak (2 Corinthians 12:9), we gain a new strength in our wait on the Lord – Isaiah 40:31.

3. Pray

Then He spoke a parable to them, that  men always ought to pray and not to lose heart. Luke 18:1

Never give up in prayer. The Bible tells us to ask, and we will receive that our joy will be full. Continue to pray for what you are seeking God for. We may get a desire for example for a new job or a new branch of ministry or a new project; take this to God. Pray about it. See what His word says about it. 

This is why it is necessary to seek God first and set your mind on things above. If we get too consumed by what we are waiting on God for, we may ask from a place of selfish ambition or to satisfy our own lusts (James 4:3). But if God is ever before us in our minds, and we seek after His righteousness, we have confidence that He will direct our prayers (Romans 8:26).

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

Do not give up in prayer. Even though it may look like no change is coming or has happened, continue to pray. Ask God for wisdom and direction as you pray also.

4. Peace

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because He trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

When you feel small or like giving up, perhaps that what you are waiting on God for is too big or never going to happen because it has not happened yet, turn your mind to God.

Recall how big God is. We serve the living God who created humanity, split a whole sea in two, sent down fire from heaven, the list goes on! He is the commander of angels (Psalm 46:7), one of whom wiped out enemy armies within a single night (2 Kings 19:35)! We serve God who raised the dead, healed those who had been sick for years, gave children to those who had none, and died for our sins then rose again! Nothing is impossible for this God.

Just because it has not happened yet does not mean it will not happen. God is more than able. Have confidence that God is doing something great; even when you cannot see it. He may be as quiet as the morning sunlight, but He is ever-present (Isaiah 18:4).

Let your mind stay on that God. The mighty God. The loving God. The God who restores. He is alive! Trust God. He is awesome in power and mighty to save.

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

When it feels impossible or that you have been waiting forever to no avail, look up. God is a showman. I have confidence that if He is making you wait a longer than you had anticipated, it is because He wants to do a great thing for you. Not just in terms of the testimony (although we see that this is true in the story of Lazarus: John 11), but also in your heart. The Bible says it is good that I have been afflicted that I may learn your statues (Psalm 119:71). Perhaps the wait is also to teach us the way of the Lord. To help us learn more about His love, His ability to sustain us and satisfy our souls in the dry and weary land of waiting. Trust that God has a good plan because history shows us that He does.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20

With love,

Faith