Does Waiting on God Have You Feeling Stuck? 3 Ways to Turn Waiting Patiently into Active Waiting
In a world of instant gratification and streaming services (where even commercials feel like an eternity!), we’re losing our ability to wait patiently. And waiting on God can seem to last an eternity. But what if there’s a way – backed by Scripture – to wait actively? That’s the topic of Episode #105 on UnPerfect this week. Listen in…
Episode #104 – Waiting on God: 3 Ways to Turn Waiting Patiently into Active Waiting
The episode’s core message comes from Psalm 27:13-14: “I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.” Your host, Shelly Snead, dives deep into the meaning of “waiting on God,” explaining that it’s far from passive.
In this episode, “Waiting on God,” Shelly discusses the following implications of the Hebrew word for wait and how they impact our understanding and faith during waiting seasons:
- an intertwined faith – bound together (by twisting)
- active expectation
- watchman mentality (Psalm 130:6)
- Learning God’s Voice
3 Practical disciplines to practice while waiting on God:
Be Still Before God in Silence: Inspired by Ruth Haley Barton, practice setting aside time for quiet. Start with three minutes. This isn’t about “doing” but simply being present with God, allowing Him to speak and comfort you. It’s a relational “productivity.”
Do the Next Right Thing: While waiting, ask God for the small, specific action He wants you to take. Like Samuel, who was given a new assignment while waiting for a new king, there’s always a “next right thing” God wants you to do to follow Him.
Practice Active Gratitude: Combat anxiety by intentionally focusing on present blessings. Keep a gratitude journal or verbally thank God daily. This shifts your focus, reinforces trust, and cultivates hope in His goodness, even in the “not yet.”
Grab the book Shelly mentioned in this episode, Ruth Haley Barton’s Invitation to Solitude and Silence. [1]
Other posts or Episodes to encourage you as you wait patiently on God:
