Trusting God in the Wait: Finding Purpose and Joy in the Journey
Have you ever found yourself in a season of waiting? Maybe it’s waiting for a dream to unfold, for healing to come, or clarity in the midst of uncertainty. If we're honest, those in-between moments can feel frustrating, draining, and even lonely. Waiting tests our patience and pushes us to confront big questions. What if nothing changes? What if I’m waiting for something that will never arrive?
But waiting isn’t empty—it holds purpose, even when progress feels invisible. Much like the quiet climb up a trail, the waiting often leads to a breathtaking reward we can’t yet see. If we press on, the effort often reveals a sense of fulfillment only possible through the experience, not a shortcut.
The Beauty of the Trails
Rachel and I often seek out beautiful views. Sometimes they’re from popular overlooks or well-known scenic spots, while other times we stumble upon them purely by chance. But one thing we’ve come to appreciate together is the joy of stumbling upon an awe-inspiring view after a long, strenuous hike.
On the trail, it’s easy to feel the pull of impatience. The path might wind endlessly upward or be lined with rugged trees that obscure any hint of what’s next. With each step, the weight of the climb can lead you to wonder if it’s really worth it. But then it happens—a clearing, an opening, that reveals something so stunning it’s impossible not to stop and take it all in.
Those moments stay with you, not just because of the view itself, but because of what it took to get there. It’s the perseverance, the trust that something worthwhile waits ahead, that makes the moment all the richer. Isn’t that often how waiting feels in our lives too?
Waiting Transformed in Scripture
The Bible is filled with examples of people waiting for God’s plan to unfold. Abraham waited decades before God fulfilled His promise of a son. David, anointed king at a young age, spent years navigating hardship before stepping into his role. And the Israelites, who wandered for forty years in the wilderness, ultimately reached the Promised Land after a long period of trust and transformation.
Lamentations 3:25 reminds us, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” This verse offers a beautiful insight—waiting isn’t just a passive pause in the story, but an opportunity to seek God and grow in faith amid the unknown.
Like a hard-fought trail, those waiting periods stretch us. They teach us patience, reliance, and openness to what we cannot yet see. God doesn’t allow us to press pause on life during those times; instead, He invites us to lean in and trust Him for each and every step of the way.
Lessons From the Waiting
Through the experiences of waiting—whether short or long—I’ve learned a few important truths that ground me during those times:
1. Waiting Builds Strength
Much like hiking strengthens your legs and mind over tough terrain, waiting develops both your character and your resilience. The process transforms you in ways you may not realize until later.
2. The Reward Matches the Journey
Have you noticed how the hardest climbs often lead to the most spectacular and memorable views? God’s plans for our lives typically work the same way. When He finally reveals the finished picture, it’s often greater than we could have envisioned ourselves.
3. Waiting Cultivates Trust
When we can’t see what’s ahead, the trail demands trust—with each step forward, we learn to depend not on our own understanding, but on the One who already knows the way. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “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.”
How to Wait Well
If you find yourself in a waiting season today, here are some ways to keep your heart encouraged during the process:
1. Stay Present in the Process
Look for the joy in the small moments along the way. It might not be the big reveal you’re hoping for, but God often gives us glimpses of His grace right where we are.
2. Take Note of Past Faithfulness
Reflect on times when God has shown up in your life before. Write them down and remind yourself of His unchanging goodness when doubt surfaces.
3. Surround Yourself With Community
Seek out people who will encourage your faith and remind you of God’s promises. Walking this trail together can lighten the load.
4. Be Grateful for the Journey
Instead of rushing to reach the destination, thank God for both the waiting and what He’s doing within you through it.
Trust the View Ahead
Much like the hidden gem at the end of an unpredictable trail, God’s plans are often more glorious than we can envision during our season of waiting. James 5:7 encourages us with these words, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.”
Wherever you are on the path—whether it’s a slow climb or an open clearing—be encouraged that every step holds meaning. The effort isn’t wasted. The waiting isn’t for nothing. His timing is faithful, His plan is perfect, and the view ahead is absolutely worth the wait.
Take that next step forward, trusting that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. When the clearing finally comes, you’ll look back at the climb and know deep in your heart—it was worth every step.
