How to Wait on the Lord

What do you do when you pray to God and you have to wait for God to answer? Suppose the Lord appears to be taking too long to respond to your prayer request: what do you do while you wait on the Lord?
To wait is to stay in one place and anticipate or expect something. Waiting requires adequate knowledge and trust of the person you’re waiting on, meaning there has to be a relationship.
Waiting upon the Lord requires patience. It requires that we trust God and trust that He is faithful to respond and do whatever is in our best interest.
It’s not easy waiting on God because whilst you wait, you may face trials, doubts, and you may hear many voices giving you other options.

Below are 9 things we should remember and consider as we wait on the Lord

1. God has to be the focal point as we wait on God
Matthew 6:33 NLT says: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
There are always going to be other options as we wait on God but God has to remain the number one option in our life.

2. Do not to lean on our own understanding
Trust in the lord with all your heart do not depend on your own understanding – Proverbs 3:5 NLT
As you wait on the Lord, life can seem stagnant. You don’t feel like you’re moving forward in certain areas of your life.
Impatience can tempt us into doing many things. We can be tempted to think of ideas and plans that do not align with God’s word. We can be tempted to look for answers or solutions which contradict the word of God. We can be tempted to rely on our own understanding and intelligence than in God’s wisdom.
Thinking without God can lead us to dig holes for ourselves. So as we wait on God let us not depend on ourselves.

3. Continue in prayer and reading the Word of God
Luke 18:1 says: One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
Our walk with our Heavenly Father is full of troubles and challenges that can lead to one giving up. In Luke 18:1 Christ was encouraging every Christian believer to never stop praying despite our challenges and troubles. So as we wait we must also pray.
We must also read God’s word. We must rightly divide God’s word and trust in the promises of God that are specifically meant for us as Christians.
Reading the Word of God gives us answers as we wait on Him. The Bible also helps us understand how faithful God is and that He keeps His promises. This reassures us as we wait that we are not waiting in vain.

4. Don’t compare yourself with others
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct – Galatians 6:4-5 NLT.
We should never compare ourselves to others. We all have a different journey. God has a different and specific plan for every human being. Even people who are born twins do not live an identical life.
So as we wait on God we should avoid comparing our current situation or circumstance with other people. Instead we should focus on God and what He is doing in our own life.
Making comparisons will lead to covetousness, jealousy or envy and even hatred of others.

5. Don’t complain and argue
Do everything without complaining and arguing – Philippians 2:14 NLT.
Complaining and arguing is a sign of discontentment and usually this has the effect of driving one away from God rather than drawing close to Him. Waiting on God requires one to be content with what God has currently done for you. Being content also means even though we may desire more we are still satisfied and thankful with what God has done for us in our current circumstance.

6. Don’t get tired of doing good
Galatians 6:9 NLT says: So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
As we wait on God to come through for us, it is easy to be self-consumed and self-centered. We can be tempted to focus on our own needs and think that the world revolves around us alone.
Galatians 6:9 encourages us to never stop doing good deeds. We should continue to do deeds not only for ourselves but for others too. Our life and our actions should continue to glorify God and benefit others. So as we do good we continue to shine for the Lord and in due time there is a harvest that comes from God.
Colossians 3:23 NLT says: Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

7. Be thankful in all circumstances
Philippians 4:6 NLT says: Don’t worry about anything instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Being grateful is a great virtue and it takes us through any challenge or trial because one’s mind will be focused on the amazing things God is doing. So as we wait on God let us always be thankful for what He has done and what He is doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

8. Put other people’s interest first
Philippians 2:4 NLT says: Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too.
Putting others first is not easy. It can be a difficult thing to put others before yourself. However it takes practice and trusting the Holy Spirit to have a selfless character. Putting others first is a method of serving. It reflects that we are not only self-centred or consumed by our own needs and desires.
Taking an interest in others can take the form of encouraging others; spending time with others; being a good listener or even meeting someone’s particular needs. Serving others and witnessing their joy will give a sense of purpose.
Serving and taking an interest in others helps us to understand that waiting on God is no reason to be stagnant.

9. Think on things that edify
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things – Philippians 4:8
How we think and what we think about is very important as we wait on the Lord.
So as we wait on God our thoughts should be godly and well-guarded.
Philippians 4:8 avoids us from being distracted in all circumstances – including as we wait on God. When our thoughts are focused on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and so forth – it is difficult for the devil to distract us or plant ungodly, doubtful or impatient thoughts.
Philippians 4:8 is a guideline in godly thinking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, waiting on God should not hinder our growth with God. Instead it should be something we enjoy as we continue to learn to trust and depend on Him alone.
Let’s pray and watch, and as we wait on God let us walk by faith, putting into practice what our Saviour has taught us.
We are more than conquerors and He will not give us more than we can bear.
Isaiah 40:31 – But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.