Waiting. Sometimes, I feel like I am stuck in life’s waiting room, with no clear idea of when things will change or how they will turn out. You may be waiting, too, for healing, a job, or an answer to prayer. These seasons of waiting can test our patience and sometimes our faith. But what if there’s a hidden gift in the wait? Over the years, I’ve discovered that joy doesn’t have to disappear when we’re in those ‘in-between’ moments. In fact, some of the deepest joy can come when we learn to wait well.

Like so many, I didn’t always see it that way. I wanted quick answers and instant solutions, but God had something better in mind. I’m learning not to waste the wait.

Trusting God with What You Can’t See

There’s a verse that has comforted me time and time again: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, KJV). At first glance, waiting sounds like we’re supposed to sit back and do nothing. But I have come to understand that waiting on God is an active process. The process of waiting on God calms my heart, and I can let go of my need for control. Waiting upon the LORD allows me to stay in constant touch with God while separating me from the fretting that worry brings.

To be honest, trusting Him when we can’t see the outcome and it feels like nothing is happening is often very hard. When my husband was battling brain cancer, there were so many days when I wanted to know what the future held. Would he be healed? Would my prayers be answered in the way I hoped? I look back at that season of my life and realize that the real act of faith was in the waiting, trusting that God’s plan was unfolding, even in the silence. I did not need to know; I only needed to know and trust the One who knows – that’s when I found joy through surrender.

Growing in the Quiet Moments

Waiting with the LORD is not wasted time. We have been conditioned to believe we’re not moving forward unless something happens. Believe me when I say God does some of His best work in those quiet moments. Like seeds planted deep in the ground, growth happens in the dark. During these times of waiting, God is at work in us—developing patience, building perseverance, and teaching us to lean into Him.

I recall a time when I prayed for direction, and the days stretched into months with no clear answer. I was frustrated and irritated. But looking back, I realize that God was using that time to prepare my heart for what was coming. My faith grew stronger in ways I couldn’t see at the time. That’s the beauty of waiting – while we’re focused on what’s next, God is focused on who we are becoming.

Learning to Rest While You Wait

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned during seasons of waiting is how to rest. I don’t mean just physical rest, but the kind of rest that happens when we hand over our worries to God and trust Him with the outcome. I tend to place my waiting and worrying over to God, to simply pick it back up and wring my hands as to what I should do next. Turning it completely over to the LORD doesn’t come naturally to me. Still, I’ve learned that when I stop trying to figure everything out and rest in His presence, I begin to experience a peace that passes all understanding. I’ve often thought Psalm 37:7 was written just for me, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Believe me, this stillness doesn’t come naturally to me, but I’ve found joy in this stillness, not because my situation changed, but because my heart and mind did.

Finding Your Joy: An Invitation to Trust

So, where are you waiting in life right now? Maybe you are in the middle of a season where the answers seem far off, and you wonder if joy can really be found in the waiting. I want to encourage you – yes, it can. But it’s not the kind of joy that comes from everything working out exactly as you plan. It’s the joy that comes from knowing God and trusting He is in control, even when life feels uncertain.

I invite you to take a moment and ask yourself, “What can I learn in this waiting period? Where can I trust God more deeply?”

Joy comes when we shift our focus from the outcome to the One who calls us to ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NLT).

As you wait, rest in the knowledge that God is working and His timing is perfect. When you place your trust in Him, joy will meet you there.