Waiting is one of the hardest parts of walking with God. Whether you’re waiting for healing, clarity, a relationship, a job, or a breakthrough—you’ve likely asked yourself: “What am I supposed to do in the meantime?” In Learning to Wait Well: How to Handle the In-Between Seasons with Faith, we delve into the intricacies of what it means to wait well, how to handle transition seasons with spiritual maturity, and what the Bible says about trusting God in the unknown.
The “in-between” seasons often feel like the most uncertain, uncomfortable, and even unseen chapters of our faith journey. But what if the waiting isn’t wasted? What if God does some of His best work in us while we’re in the hallway, not the room?
What Does It Mean to Wait on God?
Waiting on God isn’t passive. It’s not twiddling our thumbs until He moves. In the Bible, “waiting” often translates to a posture of hopeful expectation, like a watchman on the wall.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:14
Biblical waiting is active trust—choosing to stay faithful, prayerful, and surrendered when nothing seems to be changing. It’s like a “plaiting together” with God while remaining close to Him.
Why the In-Between Season Feels So Hard
Waiting seasons can be especially painful because:
- You don’t have control over the timeline.
- It feels like everyone else is moving forward but you.
- Your faith is tested, especially when God feels silent.
- There’s no clear “arrival point” to aim for.
But it’s precisely in the waiting that your roots grow deeper, your character is refined, and your faith is stretched.
How to Endure God’s Silence While You Wait
One of the most disorienting parts of waiting is when God feels silent. You’re praying, journaling, seeking, showing up, working….. but there’s no clear answer, no new sign, no emotional reassurance. It’s in these moments that our faith can feel most fragile. It’s where our hope is most put the test.
But silence does not mean absence.
Here’s how to endure the quiet seasons with courage and confidence:
1. Remember What He Already Said
Silence is often a test of whether we’ll trust the last word He gave us. Go back to the promises, verses, or whisper He already spoke. Faith doesn’t always need a new word—it often needs deeper rooting in the old one.
Psalm 119:11 – “I have hidden your word in my heart…”
2. Trust God’s Character Over His Confirmation
When God isn’t giving new instructions, lean on His nature. He is faithful, present, and good, even when He’s quiet. His silence is never indifference—it’s often an invitation to deeper intimacy. He remains the same. That’s what He said in His Word: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” –Hebrew 13:8
Isaiah 30:18 – “The Lord longs to be gracious to you… Blessed are all who wait for Him!”
3. Keep Showing Up
Silence can be a pruning season. Don’t let it lead you to spiritual apathy. Keep praying. Keep worshipping. Keep obeying. Keep fasting. Keep reading His Word. Waiting well means being faithful even when you don’t feel favored.
Hebrews 10:36 – “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
4. Allow Silence to Build Spiritual Muscles
God’s silence often stretches your discernment, patience, and trust. Think of it as spiritual resistance training. The weight feels heavy, but it’s building something strong in you that comfort never could.
James 1:3 – “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
5. Be Honest—but Stay Anchored
God can handle your frustration. Talk to Him about how it feels. David did this constantly in the Psalms. But don’t let honesty pull you out of hope. Be real—and still believe. Cast ALL of your cares on Him. He promises to give you rest when you do.
Psalm 13:1 – “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?”
Psalm 13:5 – “But I trust in your unfailing love…”
Silence Isn’t a Dead End—It’s a Deepening
When God is silent, He’s still moving. He may be maturing you, protecting you from rushing ahead, or drawing you to seek Him more purely.
Don’t confuse God’s silence with His absence. His quiet may just mean He’s preparing your soul to carry the very thing you’ve been praying for.
5 Ways to Wait Well with Faith
1. Shift Your Focus from “When” to “Who”
Instead of obsessing over when God will come through, focus on who He is. He’s faithful. He sees you. He’s working behind the scenes. He’s a GOOD Father.
Lamentations 3:25 – “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.”
2. Don’t Despise Small Beginnings
Often, God develops your character before He delivers your calling. The in-between season is preparation, not punishment. Let Him equip you so that you are able to steward all that He’s planning to give you well.
Zechariah 4:10 – “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
3. Stay Planted and Prayerful
It’s tempting to jump ahead of God, but premature movement can delay destiny. Keep showing up in prayer, worship, and obedience—even when there’s no visible result.
Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
4. Let God Refine You, Not Just Reward You
The waiting season reveals what you believe about God—and about yourself. Let Him prune pride, doubt, fear, and control while you wait.
James 1:4 – “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
5. Speak Life While You Wait
Your words matter. Don’t let waiting produce negativity, comparison, or anxiety. Choose to speak truth over your season regardless of how opposite it looks.
Declare: “God is not finished with me. He is preparing something worth waiting for. I trust Him.”
Waiting Is Not Wasted
We often think of waiting as delay—but biblically, waiting is often a divine setup.
- Joseph waited 13 years.
- Moses waited 40 years.
- Jesus waited 30 years before starting His ministry.
God isn’t in a rush like we are. If He has you in a waiting season, it’s because there’s still something to grow in you before He brings you to it. Plus, He’s busy orchestrating everyone AND everything to work together for His opportune time for you to be “revealed”. Trust His sovereignty.
Final Reflection: Trusting God in the Unseen
The in-between seasons are hard, but they’re holy. They require you to hold on to God’s promises even when you can’t see His hand. The good news? He’s just as present in the hallway as He is in the harvest. Lean on the Holy Spirit’s presence as a comforter, guidance, director, etc.
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” – Luke 1:45
You may not be where you want to be yet, but God is preparing you for where He’s taking you. Embrace the beauty in being hidden by God until He says “Go”.
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