It can be really difficult to wait. In fact, our culture has hardwired us to desire instant results. When we post on social media, we can immediately see how many people like or share our posts. When we finish an assignment for school or work, we often want immediate feedback on how well we did.

If you grew up in church, you might’ve been told to “wait on the Lord” before. The Bible clearly says that waiting on the Lord is a good thing. Lamentations 3:25 (ESV) says, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.”

But how do we wait on the Lord? And why should we? Let’s take a look.

How do we wait on the Lord?

• Accept that God has the ultimate authority in our lives. 

It can be easy for us to become so self-indulged in our own wants and desires that we completely forget that God has a plan for us. We can plan and prepare as much as we want to, but God’s decisions and plans for our lives can always overcome our own. 

We shouldn’t lean on our own understanding — we can’t. About 99% of the time, relying on our own strength and our own plans won’t get us where we need to be.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

• Recognize that God’s way is higher and better than ours.

Too often, we forget that God’s direction and plan for our lives are so much better than our own. We may not always understand His plan for our life, but we should recognize that He isn’t held down by time the way that we are.

God isn’t constricted by time, space or anything else like we are. He is in charge of the entire universe. Psalm 147:4 (ESV) says, “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.” If God has the power to determine the exact number of stars in the sky, why wouldn’t we recognize that He has the power to direct our lives for our good?

• Study and meditate on God’s Word.

One of the best ways to put our desires and wants aside is to spend intentional time studying God’s Word. When we spend time learning about how much our heavenly Father loves us, we may be more inclined to start waiting to hear His voice and following His plans for our lives. 

Joshua 1:8 (ESV) says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

What does the Bible say about waiting on the Lord?

• We should seek stillness. 

Learning how to be still can be so difficult — it can be easy for us to get caught up in the daily chaos of work, school, relationships and just life in general. However, God freely gives us peace; all we have to do is ask. 

In fact, the Bible is clear that God can and will fight our battles for us. While it might not seem like it while we’re in the center of the battlefield, He is actually all around us, leading and protecting us. Exodus 14:14 (ESV) says, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

• God will give us strength if we ask for it.

We aren’t built to go through life alone — we don’t have the strength for it. Isaiah 40:30 (ESV) says, “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted.”

Luckily, God has the strength to carry every single one of us through our lives. If we wait for the Lord and seek Him, He will give us the strength we need to get through our daily lives.

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) says, “But they who wait for 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.”

Centerpoint Church is ready to walk with you on your faith journey

At Centerpoint, our community believes in purpose and passion, and we would love to walk with you on your journey in finding yours. And every journey needs a Starting Point.

Starting Point groups are in-person, stress-free and judgment-free groups that meet periodically at Centerpoint Church. Here, you can spend some time getting to know fellow group members, reading and having an open conversation about topics like God, the Scriptures, faith, and Jesus. Completely new to the teachings of Jesus? Returning to church after a long break? Questioning the teachings you were brought up with or just unsure what you believe? Our Starting Point groups are here to help you navigate your faith journey. Get in touch with us to learn when the next Starting Point group is meeting or to join a Starting Point group.