Do you ever struggle to trust God’s plan for you or to wait patiently on His timing?
Chances are, you do… at least, according to our recent reader survey.
Some variation of “Trusting God’s plan and His timing – especially when things don’t seem to be going my way” kept coming up again and again as I read through the answers.
I can understand this.
You see, ever since high school I’ve always known that God has something big planned for me someday, and I’m still waiting around to find out what that is.
And while I’ve mostly made peace with the fact that I’m in a much-needed time of preparation right now and I’m content with that, there are definitely plenty of times when I’m tired of waiting around, and I’m ready for some action!
I don’t imagine it’s necessarily a bad thing to be so eager to take hold of the mission or all the blessings that God has in store for us… but when it’s time to wait and trust — then that’s what we need to do.
Of course, that’s not always easy. So at the end of this blog post, I have four very practical steps you can take when you’re struggling to trust God’s plan and wait on his timing.
But first – a story.
The Story of Abraham and Sarah
(Genesis 12 – 21)
Abram was 75 when he first heard the Lord’s call on his life.
Seventy-five.
I don’t know what his life was like before then (the Bible doesn’t give us much information), but that seems like a long time to just hang out, wondering what God might have in store for you, if anything.
But the Lord tells 75-year-old Abram to leave his family and travel to an unknown land so the Lord can bless him, and Abram obeys.
Abram’s journey is far from easy though…
- There’s a terrible famine in the land, which forces Abram to reroute to Egypt.
- Worried for his life, Abram lies about his relationship with his wife and almost loses her — twice.
- War breaks out and Abram’s nephew Lot is captured as a prisoner of war. Abram has to rally his men, face the enemy head on, and save him.
- And all this time he and his wife Sarai are childless, which is a huge source of shame in their culture.
Time and time again, God confirms His promise to Abram. He will protect him, he will reward him, he will make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky…
And yet, despite God’s continual promises, Abram isn’t getting any younger, and neither is his wife Sarai. They want to believe God–and they do–but the situation looks so impossible. And at this point, it has been over a decade since God first appeared to Abram. He’s 86 now.
So Sarai, tired of waiting, decides maybe God will fulfill His promise through her servant, Hagar. She tells Abraham to sleep with Hagar instead, Abram listens, and Abram and Hagar have a child together.
Of course, Sarai is incredibly jealous, and the tension between the two women is so awful that Hagar runs away into the desert — twice.
God’s plan isn’t for Abraham to have the promised baby through Hagar, but through Sarai. But Sarai still isn’t pregnant. So… they wait.
Then, when Abraham is nearing 100 years old, God finally decides it’s time. Three passing travelers inform Abraham and Sarah that after just one more year, Sarah will give birth to the son God has been promising Abraham for 25 years now.
By this point, both Abraham and Sarah have about given up hope. When they hear the news, they both laugh. Surely they couldn’t have a baby. They’re too old! There’s no way!
But nothing is impossible for God. And He comes through, just as He has promised.
Abraham and Sarah not only have a baby, but that baby goes on to be the father of descendants too numerous to count, including even Jesus himself.
I’d say that’s a promise worth waiting for.
How to Trust God’s Plan – When You Don’t Know What it is
So, that’s Abraham’s story — what’s yours?
- Are you waiting, struggling to discern the Lord’s call for your life?
- Have you already heard His call, but you’re confused, wondering how all of the pieces will fit together?
- Are you going through a time of trial, wondering “What happened? I thought God had such great plans for me, but all I see is hardship!”
The good news is – you’re not alone. Abraham and Sarah went through it, and so have countless others.
You may not know how your story ends yet, but God does. He’s got it all under control and He’s busy working it all out.
Your job isn’t to fit all the pieces together. It’s simply to follow God’s lead as HE fits all the pieces together.
Still, waiting is never easy. It’s hard to trust when you don’t know what’s going on.
So here are four very practical things you can do in the meantime.
1. Remember that God is All Powerful
First of all, can God do anything? Yes, yes He can. He is God. He is capable. He created the entire universe–from the smallest speck to the hugest ocean–with nothing more than the sound of His voice.
It does not matter how impossible your situation seems to you. It’s never too big for God. Never.
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” –Luke 1:37
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” –Matthew 19:26
Then Job replied to the Lord:”I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” –Job 42:1-2
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” –Jeremiah 32:27
**By the way, these are GREAT verses to memorize or write down and post around your home so you can meditate on them often!
2. Believe That God Truly Cares for You
Of course, for me, the issue has never been whether or not God CAN do great things, but whether or not He WILL. After all, it doesn’t do me any good if God has the ability to come through for me, but chooses not to.
When you consider what Scripture has to say, however, you see that this really shouldn’t be a concern.
God doesn’t just love you — He’s crazy about you!
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” –1 Peter 5:7
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” –Matthew 10:29-31
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:19
“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you–you of little faith!” –Luke 12:28
3. Consider the Big Picture
Of course, just because God loves you and wants what’s best for you doesn’t mean that you will always have things your way. After all, God does allow suffering in this world (Here are three reasons why).
And yet, when we’re in the middle of a trial, we have to consider the big picture.
Sure, your circumstance may not be what YOU would prefer, but God isn’t just concerned ONLY with your happiness. His plan is much larger than that. And sometimes the painful circumstances we endure now are exactly what we need to prepare for the amazing things God has in store for us (or others!) later.
We may never know why we go through the things we do, but God knows, and that can be enough.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”–Isaiah 55:9
“Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.”–Psalm 147:5
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” –Romans 8:28
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”–Jeremiah 1:5
4. Practice Being Patient
And lastly, sometimes it just comes down to being patient.
The fact of the matter is, we’re not going to get everything we want and everything doesn’t always work out on our timetable. That doesn’t mean God doesn’t care or that He’s not in control. That’s just life. That’s how it works. Might as well make the most of it.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” –Galatians 6:9
“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”–Isaiah 40:31
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” –Psalm 27:14
Do you ever worry if the Lord has forgotten about you or what is taking Him so long? How do you keep the faith through a season of waiting?
Brittany Ann is an ECPA bestselling author and founder of Equipping Godly Women and Monetize My Ministry. She’s also a Christian speaker, podcaster, and conference host. Her work has been featured on numerous TV, radio, and online ministries, including CBN, MSN, Christianity Today, Evangelical Alliance, Patheos, Crosswalk, and more.
Trust is my one word for 2016. It’s been quite the year for me in many ways and definitely a year of being patient, believing, remembering God has my life in the palm of his, and that he truly cares. Our family lost a close family member this summer to cancer within 5 days. It’s been hard and it hurts, but we have seen God’s faithfulness time and again. God has never been closer to me. I feel his presence in a much more tangible way than I ever have before. Is it easy? Nope, but God doesn’t promise this life will be easy.
John 16:33 says These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
I take heart because I know that God loves us and that he cares for us.
Awwww, I am so sorry for your loss 🙁
Yes, I’ve felt something big too, but I believe your are living in your big just being a blessing with this blog who knows how big God is going to grow it. Being faithful with what you have in your hand.
Thanks Lizzy 🙂 I know, I feel so silly to think this isn’t it when I know I do have a lot of potential here, but I really think there’s something else, even bigger. Maybe this is the start of it, though, who knows!
This was a great read.. My word for this year has been WAIT.. In 2013 my husband an i were pregnant w twins ( girl and a boy) we were thrilled.. We already have two daughters. They were thrilled as well. But our lives turned up side down when at 16 weeks they were both diagnosed w major health problems that couldnt be fixed. Well they passed at 31 weeks. We were heartbroken and broken. After a year had passed we decided to try again.. Well it has been two years now and we have taken medicine to help but the Lord hasn’t answered.. Well on top of this May of this year God put something on my heart that I didn’t want to do.. Be a Foster parent. Oh my has God opened doors left and right and we didnt do a thing.. We have finished everything and now we wait for our license.. Do we give up hope for one of our own No, we dont we still pray for that Child an the one who needs our love also.. God is Amazing in his love towards us. Wait is our word an WAIT we will do and still Praise Him!!
Wow, what a story! That must have been so heartbreaking.
I’ve always wanted to be a foster parent, though. What a great chance to be a family to a child who otherwise wouldn’t have one. And I bet if that’s what the Lord has for you, and He’s been busy preparing you for that, that you will be amazed at how it all turns out 🙂
You have a great and generous soul! May the good Lord bless you and your family always.
One of the hardest things for me to accept is that God wants the best for me. I know this, I have faith in this, but I sometimes catch myself not TRUSTING this.
This was a great post and one that sincerely offers peace and encouragement regarding the promises of God. Thank you!
Awwww… have you ever taken the time to look up verses about God’s love for us or the way He feels about us? It could be very eye-opening for you – in a good way.
And thanks 🙂
This is a great word for me in 2021. Through big events that left me wondering God, where are you and are you evening willing though you are able, I felt like the word for me this year was to ask and believe that Abba gives good gifts to His children. So I asked big and it didn’t happen and I’m really contending with believing that God has the big plans for me that I’ve cling to in my heart. Really want to let them go and I’ve come across your article that gives me courage to just stay here until I’m ready.
Yep, struggling to Trust God! My head knows all of this, yet my heart seems to doubt constantly. Thanks for this great reminder.
Here we are in 2021, dealing with Covid, financial stresses etc and out of the blue, my partner of 9 years, decides to find himself and in the process throw our relationship out the window….
Heartbreak is not even the word…
Yet, in this time, I found my way to the Lord. For the first time ever, I realized I need to have a personal relationship with God and love and trust him…
So here I am, 2 months in, wondering if God hears my prayers and if I will ever get the "Yes" I so deeply desire…
Thank you for your words and verses of encouragement. I am holding fast to God's word and His promise to always love and keep me…
You are so very welcome. I am sorry you are going through such a difficult time. It isn't always easy, but trusting in God's will and His timing are so very important. He closes doors for a reason. He will open others when it's time. Your faith is incredibly beautiful and an inspiration to others. Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings to you, Monica.
I feel very alone and scared. .my parents lost our house, we had to move to another state, My dad was very sick with heart problems and Parkinson's disease. He just died last August 29th 2021, I broke my knee cap in half and had to have surgery, I lost my rescued dogs to cancer, a cat to cancer and now another cat to an unknown disease who was very young. I went to a job my other job transferred me to but they did not honor my benefits and are not paying me enough so I got a second job now which is good. My mother relies on me for everything since my dad died and I help her with house and bills but I am really tired. Does God really hear me? Not sure anymore. Not sure if I have the strength anymore…what is the point of all this suffering? Any suffering?I call out to God, I pray but do not hear anything. Maybe I am just not good enough for God to hear me anymore…
You have been through a lot, especially over the past year. I am so sorry that you have been dealing with all of this. I know this to be true – God loves you so much and He is surrounding you even if you don’t feel like that is true. Pray for His comfort and peace. Draw close to God during this time by reading the Bible and praying.
Pray and seek guidance: Take time to pray and ask God for guidance, wisdom, and strength. Listen for his voice and seek counsel from others who may be able to offer spiritual guidance.
Thank you for this reminder.