Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
Waiting is one of the places where our hearts are most easily exposed. We can be patient when everything is going according to our plans. But when an answer is delayed, a person disappoints us, a prayer seems unanswered, or circumstances remain uncertain, we may become restless and feel the need to do something immediately. But sometimes holiness looks like waiting without taking control. Being still before God does not mean doing nothing. It means refusing to let anxiety, frustration, or impatience make our decisions for us. Waiting gives God room to work in us while we wait for Him to work around us.
Think about how often we react in a difficult moment: we send the message, make the phone call, speak the angry words, make the decision, or assume the worst. Later, when our emotions settle, we sometimes wish we had waited. Perhaps we can develop a simple PAUSE practice:
STOP — Don't react immediately. Give yourself a few seconds before speaking or deciding.
BREATHE — Take a deep breath and remind yourself, “God is here.”
PRAY — Quietly say, “Lord, give me peace and wisdom. Help me respond according to Your will.”
That small pause can become a holy moment. Instead of allowing our emotions to control our response, we invite God into the situation. Waiting also means learning to release our expectations of people. When someone disappoints us or something takes longer than we expected, we don't have to force the outcome. God is not late simply because He is not working according to our timetable**.** And waiting is not wasted time. God can use the waiting season to develop patience, deepen trust, expose our need for control, and teach us to depend on Him rather than circumstances.
Application:
Begin each morning with this simple prayer: “Lord, today when something frustrates, delays, or disappoints me, help me not to react hastily. Teach me to pause, pray, and wait for You.” When a stressful moment comes, pause before you respond. That pause may be the very place where God is teaching you holiness.
Reflection:
What am I impatiently trying to control that I need to place back into God's hands?