A look at what Scripture says about waiting, trusting God’s timing, and holding on to faith when the answer seems delayed.
Have you ever been waiting on God for something so long that you started wondering if it would ever happen?
Maybe you’ve prayed for healing, a relationship, a job opportunity, financial breakthrough, or direction for
your future. At first, you prayed with confidence. But as weeks turned into months—or even years—the
waiting became harder. If you’ve ever struggled with delayed answers or wondered if God had forgotten
you, you’re not alone.
Sarah knows exactly how that feels.
“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”
Hebrews 6:15 (NKJV)
Waiting On God Doesn’t Mean God Has Forgotten
When God first promised Abraham and Sarah a son, the promise seemed impossible.
Not only were they childless, but they were already advanced in age. Yet God assured
them that they would become the parents of a great nation.
The problem wasn’t God’s promise. The problem was the waiting.
Year after year passed without any visible evidence that the promise was coming.
And if we’re honest, that’s often where faith becomes difficult. It’s easy to trust God
when things are moving. It’s harder when nothing appears to be happening at all.
But Scripture reminds us that God’s delays are not God’s denials.
Why Waiting Feels So Hard
Waiting stretches us because it forces us to live between what God said and what we currently see.
Sarah knew God’s promise.
What she didn’t know was God’s timing.
And that’s where many of us struggle.
We often want God to work according to our schedule. We want immediate answers, clear direction,
and visible progress. But God often does some of His deepest work during the waiting season.
Waiting on God develops patience.
Waiting on God develops trust.
Waiting on God teaches us to depend on God instead of our own understanding.
What Happened When Sarah Got Tired of Waiting
Eventually, Sarah became discouraged.
After years of waiting, she decided to help God’s promise along by giving Hagar to Abraham.
From a human perspective, the decision made sense.
From a faith perspective, it created unnecessary pain and complications.
How often do we do the same thing?
Sometimes when God seems slow, we start creating our own solutions.
We force doors open.
We rush decisions.
We take matters into our own hands.
But God’s promises never require us to abandon God’s process.
God’s Timing Is Different Than Ours
One of the most encouraging parts of Sarah’s story is that God remained faithful even when
her faith struggled.
The promise didn’t depend on Sarah being perfect.
The promise depended on God being faithful.
Eventually, at the appointed time, Isaac was born.
Not when Sarah expected.
Not when Abraham expected.
But exactly when God intended.
God’s timing may feel slow to us, but it is never late.
What the Bible Says About Waiting on God
Isaiah 40:31 reminds us:
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…” (NKJV)
Waiting isn’t passive.
Biblical waiting is active trust.
It means continuing to pray even when answers haven’t arrived.
It means continuing to obey even when the path isn’t clear.
It means believing God is working even when you cannot see evidence yet.
Faith grows strongest when it learns to trust God in the silence.
How to Stay Faithful While You Wait
If you’re in a season of waiting right now, remember these truths:
God has not forgotten you.
God is still working even when you can’t see it.
God’s timeline is not the same as yours.
God’s promises are not canceled because they haven’t happened yet.
Instead of focusing on what hasn’t happened, focus on what God has already done.
Remember His faithfulness.
Review answered prayers.
Celebrate small victories.
Trust that God is writing a bigger story than you can currently see.
A Faith Reset for Today
If waiting has been discouraging you, ask yourself:
Am I trusting God’s timing—or simply wishing He would follow mine?
Waiting is rarely comfortable. But waiting with God is never wasted.
The same God who fulfilled His promise to Sarah is still faithful today.
What He has promised, He is able to accomplish.
A Simple Prayer
Father, thank You for being faithful even when I struggle to wait. Help me trust Your timing
when answers seem delayed. Strengthen my faith when I cannot see what You’re doing.
Remind me that You are working behind the scenes, even when life feels uncertain. Teach
me to wait with confidence, knowing that Your plans are always good.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Resources
Trusting God — Jerry Bridges
Waiting on God: Strength for Today and Hope for Tomorrow — Charles Stanley
The Red Sea Rules — Robert J. Morgan
You’re Going to Make It — Lysa TerKeurst
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Read: Why Comparison Steals Your Peace
What’s Your Waiting Story?
Are you waiting on God for something right now?
Maybe it’s healing, direction, a relationship, financial breakthrough, restoration, or an
answer you’ve been praying about for a long time.
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Your story may encourage someone
else who is walking through a season of waiting.
And if this article encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that
God’s timing is still good—even when the wait feels longer than expected.
Continue the Conversation
This article was inspired by Episode 3 of Eve’s Drop: Listening in on the Women Between
the Verses, a series from Between The Verses – Real Talk. Real Faith with Kelli LaVerne.
🎙️ Listen to Sarah: The Woman Who Waited So Long… She Almost Stopped Believing
And be sure to subscribe so you never miss a new episode or article!
Kelli LaVerne is a writer, devotional creator, and founder of Faith Reset Daily. She is passionate about helping women strengthen their faith, hear God’s voice clearly, and grow spiritually without pressure or perfection. Through practical biblical encouragement, she creates space for faith that feels real, steady, and life-giving.