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.

“When I saw this opportunity, I thought it would be perfect for you!”

Over coffee, a friend mentioned a local ministry looking for volunteers. She’d been involved with this worthy cause for several years, and a position they needed filled seemed to be just the right fit for me.

My excitement grew like you wouldn’t believe.

I’d been watching this ministry in our community and had every intention of getting involved. Now it seemed like my prayers were being answered. Was God opening a door for me? I decided to pray about it (with every notion that God would say yes.)

So imagine my surprise when I didn’t feel like I got the go-ahead from God.

When things stalled out, my stubbornness kicked into high gear. I thought surely God would be pleased with my willingness! I even had a few hours per week to spare. I wanted to let God lead me, but I just couldn’t understand how He could say no to such a worthwhile thing. That made it hard to let go and follow His plan instead of my own.

The Root of Our Struggle to Let Go of Control

In our last devotion, I shared about our struggle to let go of control. We learned to remember that God is over all things. By focusing on that truth, we can practice daily giving control back to Him. But looking a little deeper brings up a question worth exploring. What lies at the root of our struggle to let go of control?

To find the answer, let’s look at the story in Exodus of a ruthless Pharaoh pursuing the fleeing Israelites.

When God Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart

God sent Moses to lead His people out of the bondage they’d experienced under Egyptian rule for so long. Each time Pharaoh relented and agreed to release the Israelites, God hardened his heart, and Pharaoh changed his mind.

Even after finally heeding Moses’ warning and letting the people go, God once again hardened his heart, and the Egyptian army went after them.

“The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.” (Exodus 14:8 NIV)

Pharaoh had no intention of letting his laborers go. Scripture tells us the Lord “hardened his heart” which means God allowed Pharaoh to be ruled by his own stubborn nature. He let Pharaoh do what he wanted to do—to be in control.

Why Do We Allow Our Hearts to Be Hardened?

I know all-too-well the desire to forge my own path. Just like wanting to serve in a certain ministry with my friend, I can get caught up in what I want and forget to allow God to guide me. The word heart in the verse above originates from the Hebrew word leb, referring to the foundation of our thoughts and emotions. Pharaoh had control of the Israelites, and he did not want to let that go. A hardened heart can have the same effect on us.

We too can harden our hearts when we aren’t getting our way or things aren’t turning out the way we planned.

I love how this quote from an article on Christianity.com explains it, “When God gives us over to our own charge, our own control, we always become hard of heart toward the will of God. It is the natural result of fallen humans refusing to allow God to control our lives.”

Ouch:) A difficult truth, but one we need to hear, in order to keep taking steps forward in our spiritual walk. That’s why it’s so crucial that we make time to rest at the feet of Jesus often and seek His will above our own.

Romans 2:5 tells us, “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.”

We see the word heart again in this New Testament verse. Similar to the one used in Exodus 14:8, the Greek word kardia here refers to “the inner person, self, the seat of thought and emotion: conscience, courage, mind, and understanding.”

Simply put, we can be stubborn. But we know in our hearts, God’s way is the best way, so it’s time to dig deep and pull out any of the hard roots that remain.

How Do We Know If We’re Letting God Lead Us?

When I get used to taking the lead, I can convince myself that something is God’s will, even when I haven’t heard clear direction from Him. I rationalize it, thinking that if it makes me happy, then of course it’s what He wants. But just because it’s a good thing, doesn’t mean it’s God’s thing for me right now.

To know for sure, we need to pray and ask Him to soften our hearts.

The Benefits of Letting God Lead You

So much good will come from yielding to God’s guiding hand. It’s painful at first, but when we submit to His will, we will find freedom in following. Softening our hearts will prepare us to:

Receive what God has for us.
See others with the compassion of Jesus.

Serve and give with kindness.

Find freedom from our own plans and decisions.

Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Let’s pray together for softer hearts toward the Lord and His plans.

Philippians 2:13 tells us, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” As we pray, may we find a renewed attitude toward following where He leads.

Choosing to step back from pursuing that new ministry opportunity was tough for this go-getter who wants to do all the things. But I’m finding renewed peace in trusting God’s sovereignty. He may have another time for me to step into this role, and He may not. Either way, I can walk in freedom, anticipating the good plans He has for me.

When we allow our hearts to soften toward the ways of God, we yield to His plans, become merciful toward His people, and trade callousness for gentleness.

A Prayer for God to Soften Our Hearts

Dear Heavenly Father,

My heart has become hardened as I’ve continued fighting for control. I’ve prayed and wanted to let go, but then I make decisions based on what I want instead of waiting for your answer. Forgive me, Lord. Soften my heart toward your ways, your will, and your people.

Your Word says that it’s you who works in me to act, in order to fulfill your good purpose. You know best, and you have a plan beyond what I can see in front of me. Help me to trust that. Help me yield to your will. Where you lead me, I will follow. I confess my stubbornness, and I know good things await as I let you have complete control. Thank you for being my guiding hand. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.