EEW Magazine Online is helping you discover 10 practical and spiritual ways to find hope, courage, and purpose when God’s timing feels slow and your heart longs for answers.

Written By Maurine Hamilton // EEW Magazine Online

One of my best girlfriends loves to sing that old gospel song, “I Don’t Mind Waiting.” Every time I hear her belt it out, I laugh and tell her, “Singing it and living it are two very different things!”

Have you ever found yourself stranded between prayers and answers, circling the same questions while the rest of the world seems to move on?

Did you really not mind waiting?

If you’re like me, you probably did.

Maybe you’re waiting for a breakthrough: a job, a healing, reconciliation, direction, something that would finally let you exhale. The ache of waiting can press on your chest, making every sunrise feel heavier than the last.

If you’ve ever sat there, asking God, “How much longer?” sis, you’re in good company.

The Israelites wandered the wilderness for forty long years after leaving Egypt, a journey that could have taken weeks. Their story is one of hunger and hope, manna and murmuring, pillars of fire and moments when the only thing louder than their footsteps was their doubt.

And yet, with every sunrise, God was there, guiding, providing, shaping a people ready for promise.

Sometimes, the wilderness isn’t a punishment. It’s a classroom. It’s the place where God does His deepest work in the dark, far from the applause or the finish line. If you’re stuck in a season of waiting, know this: waiting is not wasted.

Below are 10 ways to not just survive, but truly thrive while you wait on God.

#1 Cry Out—And Believe God Hears

When heaven feels silent, it’s tempting to think your prayers are going unheard. But the Word assures us differently: “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). God heard the cries of the Israelites, and He hears yours too. Even in the quiet, He’s listening, working, and moving behind the scenes.

Practical Tip: Instead of shutting down in silence, open your mouth in worship. Turn your cry into a declaration of trust. Singing or speaking God’s promises aloud shifts the atmosphere and strengthens your faith in the waiting.

#2 Live With Expectancy
Waiting is not passive. It’s the posture of someone leaning forward, eyes open for God’s movement. “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3).

Practical Tip: Start each day by asking God to make you alert to His presence and provision, even if it looks different than you expect. Expectancy turns waiting from dread into hope.

#3 Anchor Yourself in God’s Word
In seasons of waiting, emotions can sway like waves, but God’s Word is your anchor. When Abraham waited decades for the promise of Isaac, it was the unwavering word of God that kept him grounded. The same Word that sustained him will sustain you. “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5). Don’t just read it. Cling to it. Let it steady your heart when everything else feels uncertain.

Practical Tip: Create a “Truth Toolkit”—a go-to list of scriptures that speak directly to your situation. Post them where you’ll see them often, speak them aloud daily, and use them as a weapon when doubt tries to creep in.

#4 Trust God’s Wisdom Over Your Own
When life is unclear, the urge to take control can be overwhelming. But Scripture calls us to trust, even when we can’t see the path ahead: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Practical Tip: Seek before you act. Pray, “God, what are You teaching me right now?” Sometimes, the gift is in the surrender.

#5 Trade Fretting for Patience
Patience isn’t born when everything is easy; it’s shaped in the tension of hope and hardship. Romans 12:12 puts it simply but powerfully: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” God doesn’t ignore your frustration or rush you through the waiting. Instead, He invites you to bring your tangled emotions to Him and choose patience right in the middle of the struggle. Waiting with hope isn’t passive; it’s a bold act of trust, a way of saying, “I believe God is working, even when I can’t see the ending yet.”

Practical Tip: When you catch yourself spiraling into worry, pause. Offer a short prayer, or write down one thing you’re still hoping for. Let patience become your quiet declaration of faith, not just your endurance.

#6 Choose Courage When Fear Sets In
Waiting can feel like a fight with your own doubts. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). Moses spent forty years in obscurity before his calling came into focus.

Practical Tip: Draw strength from worship, from community, from the stories of those who have waited before you. Speak hope aloud, even when your voice shakes.

#7 Look for God’s Goodness, Even Here
The wilderness is not just a place of testing; it’s a place of daily provision. The Israelites had manna every morning (Exodus 16:4) and water from rocks (Exodus 17:6). God was working miracles and showing forth His goodness to His children in the wilderness. And He will do the same for you—even here.

Practical Tip: To make you more aware of His goodness, start a gratitude list. Write down the small ways God is caring for you right now: a kind word, an unexpected open door, a moment of peace. Gratitude will rewire your vision to see God’s hand, even in the hard.

#8 Wait for God’s Plan, Not Your Own
Impatience makes us want to take matters into our own hands. Abraham and Sarah famoulsy tried to shortcut God’s promise and only found more heartache (Genesis 16:1-16). Before you make a move, ask, “Is this God’s answer, or just my attempt to fix things?” Hasty solutions lead to regrettable decisions.

Practical Tip: Don’t run with every idea; run it by someone wise! (Proverbs 11:14) Talk to a trusted, Spirit-led mentor who can offer godly insight. Their perspective can help you avoid costly mistakes and keep you aligned with God’s best.

#9 Pray Without Ceasing
Prayer isn’t just a spiritual wish list; it’s your lifeline. It aligns your heart with God’s will and sharpens your spiritual discernment. As Colossians 4:2 urges, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” While prayer may not always shift your circumstances immediately, it will always shift you. And when you remain in a posture of prayer, you position yourself to hear divine direction—especially in times of transition.

Practical Tip: Set aside dedicated prayer times throughout your day, even if it's just five minutes. Use a journal to write what you sense God saying during these moments. Over time, you’ll begin to recognize His voice more clearly in every season.

#10 Remember, This Is Not the End of Your Story
Waiting can feel like being stuck, like life is on pause and purpose is passing you by. But with God, waiting is never wasted. “Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18). What feels like a standstill is actually preparation for breakthrough. This chapter isn’t the conclusion; it’s the setup for what’s next. Reflect on the faithfulness of God in past seasons. Let those moments remind you: He finishes what He starts.

Practical Tip: Keep a “faith journal” to record answered prayers and surprise blessings. When doubt or discouragement creeps in, revisit those pages to reignite your hope and remind yourself that God is still writing your story.

A Prayer for the Waiting

Lord, in these days of uncertainty, give me the courage to trust You. Remind me that waiting is not wasted, and that You are working even when I can’t see it. Fill my heart with hope, my mind with peace, and my soul with patience. Thank You for being with me in every step—especially in the wilderness. Amen.

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