I’ve always been the kind of person who can’t relax until the to-do list is complete. And something that’s been left incomplete for weeks or even months, like overgrown flower beds or an appliance that keeps making that funny noise? Just walking by it sends my heart racing. I feel like it needs my attention now. Not tomorrow, not next week, right now. I don’t want to wait to have the satisfaction of getting it done.

Why Does God Want Me to Wait?

I used to be oblivious to the benefits of waiting. I felt like waiting meant doing nothing, not taking any action. It never seemed like a good thing.

Waiting for ten days for the doctor to call with test results.

Waiting for an editor to call me back with an acceptance or rejection.

Waiting for that wayward loved one to text.

Waiting always brought a whole load of negative thoughts, and if I could avoid it, I would. Until I read Rahab’s waiting story and learned there’s power in times of waiting.

Rahab’s Example of Waiting Well

From the time Rahab hid the Israelite spies from the king’s men in Joshua chapter 2 until the time of her rescue, Rahab had a lot of waiting to do. The spies only gave her two conditions to the deal she made with them: One, she must tie the red rope to her window and leave it there. Two, she and her family had to stay inside the house.

The spies gave her no indication of how long it would take for them to return. All she could do was wait.

It’s hard to stay put and wait! Yet so often that’s exactly what God calls us to do. He has the plan worked out, and our interference can delay its fulfillment. I think about Rahab tying the cord to the window and leaving it there, indicating her trust in God to take care of her and her family. I also wonder if I’d have the same resolve in that situation. Or would I lose my patience and take matters into my own hands?

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” (Psalm 130:5 ESV)

This beautiful verse shows us that there’s power in waiting. Waiting for the Lord isn’t the absence of activity, it’s hoping in the One who never fails us. It’s taking action, even when that action is to be still. Like Rahab, adding action to our faith demonstrates our trust in God to provide.

How to Wait Well

Waiting well shows I’m actively trusting God when I feel like I need to do something. And from Rahab’s demonstration of obedience through waiting, I’ve discovered the benefits of waiting well. Hope, trust, belief. Those things grow in us as we linger a bit and soak in all God wants to teach us in the wait.

After her time of waiting, God made good on His promise to Rahab. Joshua chapter 6 tells of Rahab and her family’s rescue from the rubble after the Jericho walls fell. From her time of waiting, we find inspiration for God’s promises to be fulfilled in our own lives, too. Inspiration to help us wait well when we’re tempted to get impatient and help God in our own strength.

Hope for Times of Waiting

Are you in a time of waiting right now? Then take heart; waiting may be your best next step. I pray you discover peace and power as you actively wait on God to work in your situation. Remember, taking action doesn’t always mean you have to do something. It may mean simply trusting God for the answer in His timing.

If you’d like to learn more about Rahab’s waiting timeline, I take an in-depth look at the details of her story in Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God.

One reader said this in her review of Cinched:

“Kristine writes like she is sitting down with you face-to-face. Her book spoke to my heart. If you desire to grow in trusting God more, then I highly recommend reading this book.” - Patricia

Reviews like Patricia’s touch my heart deeply. They are such a blessing to other readers who are looking for a book to help build their faith. If you’ve read it, would you consider leaving a review, too? And if you haven’t picked it up yet, there’s no time like the present to learn more about a bold woman of faith while moving to a new level of trust in God.

TODAY begins the 5 day countdown to the release of my new book, Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God.

In honor of this 5-day countdown to the book’s release, I’m sharing DAY ONE of my popular email study, the Walking with Rahab: 5-Day Challenge to Better Decision-Making.

How to Become a Better Decision-Maker

Learning to let go of control and becoming a better decision-maker go hand-in-hand. Below you’ll find the first day of this mini study, which looks at the life of Rahab and what we can learn from her story.

(I will only be sharing DAY ONE here on our weekly devotions page. But at the end of today's post, you'll find information on how to access the rest of the 5-day mini study.)

DAY ONE: CALMING THE DECISION-MAKING CHAOS

This morning I took a break in the back yard to enjoy a rare cool breeze on an otherwise humid summer day.

Pretty soon, my 13-year-old dog Teddy trotted toward me with a turtle in his mouth. Teddy loves chasing turtles. It was perfectly safe in that hard shell, but Teddy sure seemed proud of his find. He dropped it at my feet, where I rescued it and released it in a nearby lake.

You know, sometimes Teddy lets go of the turtle immediately, while other times he holds on to it, even with coaxing from me. At those times, I have to find a treat to offer him so he'll give up the prized turtle.

I can be a lot like Teddy when it comes to decisions.

Sometimes I hold onto a decision far too long. I stress and agonize over it, only to end up even more frustrated and no closer to making that decision. Other times, I don't wait on God. My impatience drives me to make a choice too quickly.

Either way, I rarely feel at peace over the decision once it’s made.

When I allow those feelings of worry and uncertainty to end up in frustration, I drift away from God’s will. I put a barrier between me and the Spirit who longs to guide me through those tough choices.

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:12-13 NKJV

Allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit gives us peace in knowing He is with us when we face difficult decisions.

Allow me to introduce you to a bold woman in Scripture who made a life-changing decision God's way. As we follow her story over the next 5 days, we will learn 5 truths to remember that will help us be better decision-makers too.

“And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’ And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. And it was told to the king of Jericho, ‘Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.’” Joshua 2:1-2 ESV

Rahab is described as a prostitute, or harlot (NKJV). However, many theologians believe at this point in Rahab’s life, she had “repented and reformed.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Right after the spies came to Rahab’s home, someone went and told the king about it. Talk about nosy neighbors! I’m certain this didn’t surprise Rahab at all. In fact, whoever shared Rahab’s secret probably thought they were doing the right thing by informing the king. But I want us to notice an important detail here.

Verse 4 says, “But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them.”

Rahab didn’t wait before hiding the men in a safe place. She didn't take time to weigh out her options. She didn’t pause to see what would happen, then hurry around in response to the king’s request. No, the minute they arrived, she planned their escape.

She acted immediately.

So how did she know what to do? Wasn’t she confused? Frantic? It seems like I try and try to be steadfast in the middle of uncertainty, but I just can’t find that boldness like Rahab.

What was it that drove her ability to make decisions with confidence?

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22 NIV

When we release control to God and allow His Spirit to guide us through the decision-making process, we allow God's peace to calm the frustration and confusion.

But when I worry and agonize over a decision, I unknowingly take control away from the Holy Spirit and give it back to myself.

By daily releasing control to God, we are allowing His peace to calm the decision-making chaos in our minds.

And just like Rahab, we can learn to walk in immediate obedience.

Sometimes we will sense the Holy Spirit guiding us to make a decision right away, like Rahab did at that moment. Other times there will be waiting involved. As we go through this 5-day study, we will learn more about how to walk through the process of those decisions with steadfast assurance. But for now, lets begin by holding onto this truth:

Today’s Truth Declaration is this:

By daily releasing control to God, we allow His peace to calm the decision-making chaos.

DAY TWO of the mini study ventures into even more of Rahab's story. Would you like to receive the rest of this free 5-day study?

Visit the challenge page here.

At the end of the 5 days, you will also receive the free Scripture-based prayer for better decision-making. (Did I mention it's all free?)

Have you already read the study? Does the message of Rahab’s steadfast faith in God resonate with you? Then watch for Friday’s release of my new book all about the life of Rahab. I also share how her life inspired my own, sending me on a journey to a deeper trust in God. Read more about the book here.