Waiting on God is one of the hardest spiritual disciplines. For Christian women who have walked with the Lord for decades, waiting can feel even more difficult—not because of a lack of faith, but because of years of longing, prayer, and hope deferred. You’ve prayed for your children’s salvation, a breakthrough in your health, restoration in relationships, or clarity about your calling in this season of life. But the silence lingers. The delay stretches. The outcome remains unseen.
And yet, waiting on God is never wasted. It is an active, sacred place of trust and transformation. The Bible is full of stories of women and men who waited—sometimes for days, sometimes for decades—and discovered that the waiting was part of God’s plan, not a pause in it.
If you’re in that season today, take heart. Here are 7 biblical encouragements that can anchor you while you wait, reminding you that God is not distant—He is deeply at work.
Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” Contrary to what the world tells us, waiting is not a sign of inaction or helplessness—it’s a source of renewal. When you stop striving, God begins strengthening.
Instead of rushing into decisions out of panic or frustration, waiting on God allows your spirit to breathe. You rest, refocus, and reconnect with the One who sees the full picture. Like eagles who rise only after stillness, you gain clarity and elevation when you pause in His presence.
One of the most misunderstood aspects of waiting on God is the assumption that delay equals rejection. But God often withholds a “yes” because the timing isn’t right—or because something even better is on its way. Abraham and Sarah waited decades for Isaac. Hannah waited in anguish before Samuel was born. Elizabeth waited in obscurity before birthing John the Baptist.
God’s timing is not your enemy—it’s your protection. As Crosswalk shares in this encouragement for believers, divine delays often reveal your level of trust more than your level of understanding.
So if the door hasn’t opened yet, it may be because God is still preparing what’s on the other side—or preparing you to handle it.
One of the most healing things you can do while waiting on God is to worship. Not after the answer comes, but before. Worship shifts your focus from what you lack to who God is. It reminds your soul: “He is still good. He is still here. He is still worthy.”
Put on a worship song. Open your hands in your living room. Praise Him not for the outcome, but for His presence in the in-between. When Paul and Silas were in prison, they didn’t wait for the doors to open before they sang—they sang while still chained. Their worship broke strongholds.
When the answer is unclear, go back to what you do know—His character. He is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). He is slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 145:8). Waiting on God doesn’t mean trusting the outcome—it means trusting the One who holds it.
If your faith is feeling weak, write down the names of God from Scripture—Jehovah Jireh (Provider), El Roi (the God who sees me), Jehovah Rapha (Healer). Speak them out loud in the silence. Trust grows when you feed it with truth.
It’s tempting to try to fix everything yourself when you don’t see God moving. But one of the quiet miracles of waiting on God is the unseen refinement happening in your soul. Waiting builds patience, humility, gratitude, and surrender—qualities that rushing rarely produces.
Like gold refined in fire, you are being prepared for something sacred. Don’t short-circuit the process. Sometimes God is changing the situation—but more often, He is changing you through it.
You are not alone in your wait. One of the best ways to remain anchored is to surround yourself with women who understand what it means to wait—and have seen God’s faithfulness in the process. Their stories give you perspective and their prayers give you strength.
If you’re looking for testimonies of how women trusted God during long delays, visit our Sisterhood Stories section to find real-life encouragement from those who waited well.
Don’t isolate yourself during the waiting season—community helps carry the weight.
Waiting on God doesn’t mean sitting still in despair—it means walking forward in obedience while leaving the results to Him. Ruth didn’t wait for Boaz to find her—she served in the field. Esther didn’t hide in fear—she fasted and moved in boldness.
What “next right thing” can you do today? Call a friend. Write in your prayer journal. Take a walk. Study the Word. While the full picture isn’t clear, God is still guiding your steps.
As long as you’re walking with Him, you’re never off course.
To wait on God is not to do nothing. It is to hope actively. To believe expectantly. To live faithfully even when the answer hasn’t come. Waiting is where your roots go deeper, your prayers grow bolder, and your faith becomes unshakable.
God sees your waiting. He honors your tears. He responds to faith—even quiet, trembling, mustard-seed faith. Keep showing up, sister. Keep trusting. He is closer than you think.
If you’re actively seeking Him, surrendering your plans, and staying in the Word, you’re waiting on Him—even if it feels uncertain. Faith isn’t about feelings—it’s about focus.
Stay close to Him in prayer, keep doing what’s in your hand, and surround yourself with others who encourage your faith. Don’t let passivity replace purpose.
Absolutely. Even biblical heroes struggled in the wait. But bring your discouragement to God. He’s not afraid of your questions—and He offers peace for your weariness.
No. God’s delays are often for development, not punishment. He’s aligning things for your good and His timing is perfect—even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31, Lamentations 3:25, and Romans 8:25 are all powerful scriptures that speak directly to waiting on God with hope and courage.
