I know we have all heard the saying ‘Patience is a virtue’. Yet there are more times than not that I do not feel all that virtuous. When I see something I want to do or accomplish, I want it now. I do not always want to wait, wait on God’s timing or feel that waiting is necessary.
The older I get and the more I grow in my relationship with God, I am starting to learn that waiting is necessary and God’s timing is perfect. Learning to trust God’s timing is not always easy either, but also necessary. I have discovered three very important things we should know when learning to trust God’s timing.
1) Prayer Is Necessary
I know that this can often go without saying, although we often do not pray about timing. We will pray for what we want and guidance about how to receive what we seek; however we want it on our own terms. More often than not, translates into now. If we truly embrace that God’s ways and timing are best, then we have to also pray for patience to trust in His timing.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
I remember when we had decided to move to Massachusetts and started house hunting. After 7 months of house hunting, we finally bought a house. We knew that God was calling us to move to Massachusetts, yet we never stopped to seek His guidance on when to move, where to move to exactly, or how to handle the move.
We got so caught up in wanting to be moved by a certain date and have a certain type of house, we never stopped to pray for patience and trust in God’s timing. I know now that the process was filled with so many struggles and setbacks because we did not trust in God’s timing and wanted things our way.
2) There Is A Season For Everything In God’s Timing
Just like in nature, there are seasons in our lives. While embracing those seasons is important, so is knowing that not everything we want to have or do is best for any season of your life.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)
The answer to your prayers may be ‘Yes’, while also being ‘Not right now’. So trusting in God’s timing also means embracing that whatever you are praying for or seeking may come to pass, yet may not be best for you at this time or during this season of your life.
3) The Bible Tells Us To
There as so many things in life that we do not know or understand, yet one thing we can all hold on to is God’s Word. The Bible gives hope, joy, and guidance. Using God’s Word as the guide for our lives is so important and following the instructions in it. And one of those instructions is trusting God’s timing.
Wait patiently for the Lord. be brave and courageous. yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalms 27:14 (NLT)
The Bible does not say it is going to be easy, only that we have to do it. I pray for patience almost every day because patiently waiting does not come easily to me. Although the more I patiently wait, the more I pray, the more I learn to trust God and trust His timing, the easier it gets.
God wants us to have an abundant life and answer our prayers, yet He does so in His ways and His timing. Learning to trust God’s timing means praying for patience, embracing the season you are in, and following His Word. While also trusting that God wants the best for us and knows all we need before we do.
I’d love to hear about a time when you trusted God’s timing
or how you are learning to better trust His timing in the comments!
I was going through My pinterest looking for some inspiring posts and came across your. Thank You for sharing what you have. The Bible verses so give hope and I am so thankful that even when sometimes the future may look bleak to me He is there “already”.
Great post. Love the example of the “move” and how you didn’t ask God for certain things – that’s so me! Thank you.
This post is so on time for me I am learning to trust God’s time and not my own in which is hard. I am working on having more patience. Thank you I needed this message.
So much yes. It’s amazing how more peaceful your life can be when you commit to praying. Even during the difficult times.
Yes, Jessica! ?? There is so much peace and power found in prayer.
I’m definitly learning about God’s timing these days! Between having my second baby, selling my house, building a new house, moving back to my hometown, and quitting my full time job… it’s been a whirlwind and I worried about how it would all work out. But things are happening and I’m enjoying this new season in my life!
Wow, Sarah, you definitely have a lot a changes going on in your life at once. But like you said, learning to trust God’s timing and knowing that He has it all under control is so important. For your peace of mind and helps you to get excited about what has yet to come. ?
This can be so hard but it’s so important ! It takes away so much stress from our daily lives when we believe He is in control.
Yes, Jehava!! Giving our worries, fears, and stresses over to God is so freeing and so important. ?
there truly is a season for everything! I try to have faith that everything is happening with a purpose and plan and to trust the timing. It can get frustrating at times, but I just try to breathe and take care of myself.
Being patience can definitely be frustrating, Rachel. Yet you are so right, taking time to just be still and breathe can really help get through those times. ?
What a great reminder. We are so used to be instantly rewarded these days with all the technology out there; it’s omportant not to lose sight of God!
Lovely post and great reminders!
What a beautiful and thoughtful post. It’s so important to realise that good things take time!
Such a wonderful post. Sometimes I think we get so caught up on trying to control our lives, that we forget there is another plan for us.
I have trust issues with all my relationships, and unfortunately sometimes that bleeds over into my spiritual life. I needed these reminders today. Thank you for the encouragement and sharing some great verses!
Heavenly Father answers all prayers. In his time not ours and in his ways not ours.
I love your second point! There is a season for everything! That is very true.
Yes, Jordyn!! ?
In my life, I have experienced some devastating things, but what it has taught me to do is to trust God in every situation. In my brokenness, trust became my lifeline. People are people and will let you down because they are human. Sometimes, it is intentional, but I believe for the most part it is unintentional. Prayer is the key and faith is the lock. If you don’t pray believing, then it is difficult to trust. It comes down to believing that God has you in His hands. This didn’t happen overnight, but the more I grew in my relationship with God the more I knew I could trust Him no matter what! Thank You for reminding me what a gift trust is for us all.
Thank you, Sheila. For sharing your heart and encouraging me as well. The storms of life can definitely test our faith and trusting God no matter what is something we have to learn as we grow. Both in our faith and maturity. ?
Such a powerful post. It’s so hard to wait patiently and to trust, but we must! Thank you for the reminder! (also, oh my gosh what a wonderful family pic!)
I’m so glad it was able to speak to you, Whitney. We all need that kind of encouragement along the way, especially when waiting and trusting gets hard. And thanks so much. ?
Such a encouraging post! I am learning to trust Gods timing in having answers. I want to know when my business will grow, what/how to homeschool, who to connect with and on an on. This was such a great reminder to ask specifics and wait.
I’m so glad that this could give the encouragement you needed to continue in learning to trust God’s timing, Christina. We all want answers to the questions we have, the direction we should go, and the way to get there. Learning to wait and trust is not easy, but worth it. ?
This is a great message. I deal with anxiety and it’s sometimes hard to separate myself from it and trust that things will work out.
Letting go of what we think is control is definitely not easy, Jenni. Yet, knowing that God is covering and keeping us is so comforting. ?
I especially feel ya on #1 and praying about timing. I know I have totally been there praying for the “now” when timing is ultimately His decision. 3 really great points!
Loved this post. It can so hard to remember in the moment that God has a plan for us and that it is so much better than anything we could plan for ourselves! His timing IS always perfect, even if it might not seem so to us at the time.
I’m trusting God in His timing with blogging. I wanted to be so big so fast. I wanted to spread the Word and have this huge following, but I’m not sure the intentions were good or that I was ready. Now, after two years, I’m hearing that God is telling me to grow. No rhyme or reason in my eyes. Just a simple word that it’s time to get bigger. We shall see what huge blessing He has in store for this season…
Trusting God can be so tough but so necessary. I love this post.
When my husband and I decided to immigrate from South Africa to New Zealand, We left everything in God’s hands, all the things we planned did not go according to our plan but we just trusted God’s timing and it ended up being the greatest reward! Love this and totally agree!
The timing of this post couldn’t be better! I needed this reminder today. I try and control so much, but sometimes I just need to let go and put it in God’s hands.
It’s so hard for me to have faith, therefore it’s so hard for me to comment this post… It was a great post to read! 🙂 <3
Wow!! Some powerful scriptures here!! I have had to learn the hard way that God is in control!!
I needed this! My husband and I are looking for a store front and we finally came across a building that we both feel good about! Now the waiting game from our realtor and the green light from the Almighty!
Such a lovely post! I agree to all of these especially that there is a season to everything! I always trust His timing, no matter if I don’t understand it at first. It always works out in the end.