Have you ever wanted something so much that waiting for it felt unbearable? Maybe you’ve been praying day after day, asking God for an answer, wondering if He’s even listening. We’ve all been there—hoping, waiting, and maybe even doubting.
I’ll never forget one of those moments in my life. I was in 10th grade and had just transferred to a new, much bigger school. I was excited about basketball tryouts because I felt ready. I had practiced hard and thought I had what it took to make the team.
On tryout day, I walked into the gym full of confidence, but then I froze. The gym was packed. It looked like every boy in the school had shown up. I found myself staring at the competition, comparing myself to them before we’d even started. Suddenly, my confidence wasn’t so strong.
Over the next three days, we pushed ourselves through drills, games, and what felt like endless evaluations. It became clear that most of the spots were already taken by returning players from last year’s team. That left only a few openings.
On the final day, the coach gave us the dreaded line: “If you don’t hear from us, good luck next year.” And just like that, the waiting began.
I prayed harder than ever before. “God, please let me make the team.” I sat by the phone constantly, hoping for a call or message from the coaches. As the hours stretched into days, my heart sank. By the second day, I hadn’t heard anything, and I felt defeated.
Then, as I was heading out of school that afternoon, one of the coaches stopped me at the door. He looked at me and said, “I’ll see you at practice tonight.”
I was excited! But looking back now, I realize something important: even if I hadn’t made the team, God’s timing and plan would still have been perfect. That experience taught me a lesson I’ll carry for life. Sometimes the answer to our prayers doesn’t come when or how we expect. Sometimes it’s “no.” Other times it’s “wait.” But no matter what, God’s timing is always right.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
The truth is, waiting on God can feel frustrating. We want answers now, and when they don’t come, we might try to take matters into our own hands. But when we do, we risk ruining the good plans God has for us.
James 4:3 gives us something to think about: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” It’s a hard truth, but sometimes we’re praying for things that aren’t part of God’s plan—or we’re asking for the wrong reasons.
God sees what we cannot. He knows when we’re ready for something and when we’re not. His “no” is often a protection, and His “wait” is preparation for something far better.
Isaiah 55:9 puts it beautifully: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
No matter what decision you’re facing or what situation you find yourself in, God’s timing is never off. Even when things feel delayed, even when you think you’ve missed an opportunity, trust that He’s right on time.
So what are you waiting for right now? Is it a dream, a relationship, or maybe just peace in your life? Whatever it is, surrender it to God. Trust that His plans are better than yours, and His timing is perfect.
Let's pray for patience: Lord, I’m coming to You with a heart that struggles to wait. Teach me to trust You, even when I don’t understand Your timing. Help me to release my plans and align my desires with Your will. Thank You for seeing the bigger picture and loving me through the waiting. Amen.
The waiting is never easy, but it’s in those moments that we grow. Trusting God doesn’t mean you stop hoping; it means you rest in the assurance that He’s working for your good. Remember, everything we do should have God at the center. When we truly surrender to His plan, we find peace and purpose that no achievement or relationship could ever provide.
So as you wait, trust that He knows what’s best for you. And let today be the day you hand over your dreams and choose faith over frustration. God’s got this—and He’s got you.
