Oftentimes in this life, we find ourselves in a posture of waiting. It could look like standing in a grocery store line. It might be waiting for a package to be delivered.
However, it can also appear to be waiting on God to intervene in a situation or on behalf of someone you love. At the heart of every kind of waiting is hope–hope that the line will move, that the package will come as expected, and most deeply, that God has not forgotten you or those close to you while waiting.
The keyword that I want to focus on is hope. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “to cherish a desire with anticipation; to want something to happen or be true.”
The New Testament word for hope in the Greek is elpis, and it means “a confident expectation of good; a joyful and assured anticipation of what is certain.”
What are you hoping for right now?
I recall a season when I was eagerly waiting for my traveling speaking ministry to take off. I had such a strong desire to go from state to state, sharing God’s Word with women.
Even more, I longed to encourage and equip them, and I often found myself crying out to the Lord, saying, “When is my ministry going to begin?”
Truly, I’ll never forget one quiet moment in prayer when I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, “When it’s time, they will inquire of you.”
That simple yet powerful word settled something in me. It reminded me that I didn’t have to force anything—God would open the right doors at the right time.
Not long after, that exact thing happened. A woman who had read one of my blog posts reached out and asked if I would speak at her women’s conference on the very topic I had written about. Honestly, I was stunned, but in my spirit, I knew: this was it. The Holy Spirit gently reminded me, “Now is the time.”
That moment marked the beginning of my speaking ministry, and it all unfolded without striving—just hope, faith, training, and trust in God’s perfect timing.
In the Waiting Room
While I waited for this part of my purpose to come into fruition, it was helpful to imagine it as if I were in a waiting room. If I were in a waiting room, I would pick up a magazine and read. If I were in a waiting room, I would bop my head to the instrumental music overhead.
And if I were in a waiting room, I might engage in a conversation with the person next to me to help pass the time. In the waiting room, I would be waiting with anticipation to be seen by the doctor for the next steps in my well-being.
3 Ways to Stay Spiritually Strong in the Waiting Room:
First, Read While You Wait
While you’re waiting on God to move, pick up His Word and read what He’s saying to you in this season. Maybe you need to be encouraged. Maybe you need to be comforted or strengthened.
And, maybe you need to grow in godly character. Maybe you need clear direction. Psalm 119:105 tells us, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light unto my path.”
Second, Worship in the Waiting
Put on some praise and worship music and center your mind and heart on Jesus.
Sing songs of adoration and gratefulness.
Also, tune into songs that speak directly to your situation to uplift your spirit. I love what Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praises shall continually be in my mouth.”
Third, Surround Yourself with Encouragement While You Wait
Intentionally reach out to other friends who will edify you during your season of anticipation and expectation.
Also search for scriptures, quotes, social media posts, and memes that will lift you up. Remember what 1 Thessalonians 5:11 states, “So encourage one another and build each other up.”
Closing Thoughts
Trust in God’s ways and timing with great hope because He is always working in the background. If we look back at the analogy of the waiting room, I imagined it as though the staff and doctor were working on my file and getting everything ready for me.
Eventually, I knew with great expectation that my name would be called, and it was!
So, while you wait, read the Word of God, worship, and be encouraged. Know that God has not forgotten you or those you love. Remain hopeful and spiritually strong, because He is working while you wait.
Written by Courtnaye Richard
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Melanie Redd
Featured Image by Apostolos Vamvouras on Unsplash
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