If you look at this season with trust, and at yourself with love, what would you tell yourself? You can even prayerfully journal what you sense God telling you… 

Let me give you an example of someone who has just moved to a new place and is waiting for new friends despite all her efforts. She could tell herself:

“Sweetie, it’s okay. You have taken such a bold step in moving here, seriously. Remember how scary it felt to admit to yourself and then tell those you care about that you were moving away? You sought God’s Will and followed it, despite the uncertainty. That’s amazing! And God has provided you with a job and a home. Now, do you believe He will also provide you with sweet and caring friends? Yes? So while you wait, how can you deepen your friendship with the Him? And how can you be a kind friend to yourself, even today? Perhaps a  lunch walk, a coffee  date with a good book, or a cozy bath after work?”

How does your own self-talk sound? Is it similar?

Are your prayers drenched in faith or frustration? Do you focus on God’s love or your unfulfilled longing? Do you wait with anticipation or anxiety? 

By the way, this is also me writing a note to self as I often catch my own self-talk spiraling, and as it says in the Bible, I definitely need to regularly: 

“Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” –2 Corinthians 10:5

A Perspective Shift on Patience

Patience might be the last thing you want to hear about in a waiting season. You’ve been waiting for so long already that you just want it to be over so you can move on!! (Ahem… that’s my impatience saying “hi”.)

But honestly, the word ‘patience’ has a bit of a bad rap. Maybe we can give the term a bit of a glow-up by clearing up some common misrepresentations:

Patience ≠ False Positivity
Patience is not smiling through gritted teeth and telling yourself and others that you’re toootally fine… while on the inside you feel the opposite. Instead, you can allow all your emotions to be there. It’s okay to feel sad, hopeless, worried, and yes, impatient, at times. God knows your heart and loves it when you share it with Him. 

“(…) Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” – Psalm 62:8

Patience ≠ Passivity 

Patience is not simply leaning back and waiting for God to provide, it’s also not staying busy with everything else. A waiting season can be a preparation season. What action can you take to feel more ready for your next phase? It’s not necessarily about a long to-do list—it can also be about spending longer periods in God’s presence, as Matthew 6:33 reminds us:

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33
 

Patience ≠ Worry 

Patience is not becoming discouraged. When time ticks by and you haven’t seen signs of movement, it’s natural to feel restless. You may wonder if perhaps you misheard, perhaps it’s not meant for you, or perhaps you’re doing something wrong. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. This is where faith comes in!

 Self-talk is key. Don’t let fear tear you down, build yourself up with God’s Word, prayer and by letting those close to you encourage you. Because yes, it takes courage to stay in faith and not let fear win:

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14

So Then What Is Patience… Really?

If you turn these three misconceptions around, patience becomes about: 

• Allowing all your emotions and bringing them to God 
• Actively seeking God and preparing yourself for what you’re praying for
• Anticipating  and encouraging yourself—the courage to keep the faith 

When you embrace patience this way, you can’t help but change.
Something shifts. 

Instead of equating a waiting season with stuckness, standing still, and feeling sad or frustrated about what hasn’t happened yet, you start feeling grateful…

Looking back: You see how God has already provided, which gives you trust that He will do it again, and what He has prevented and that way protected you, because even the right thing at the wrong time ends up being the wrong thing.

Looking at the present: You see who you are becoming and how God is shaping you in this season. He uses the hard times of things not happening to grow you stronger, more resilient, with deeper faith and compassion. 

Looking forward: You become filled with hope, trusting that if it’s God’s will, nothing can stop it. If something hasn’t happened yet, He may be protecting you or using it for your good, since:

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

What Are Your Thoughts On Patience?

Being a life coach, I can’t help but end with a final reflection question (okay, two)—and I’d truly love to hear your thoughts in the comments: 

What can help you wait courageously, even when it’s hard? And what is a positive part of your waiting season you can actually enjoy today?

Because often we only realize in hindsight how certain seasons have shaped us, so why not start today? Celebrating all the good things this current season allows you to do, as you wait for God to move and remember His promises, such as: 

→ “At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.” –Isaiah 60:22 

→ “(…) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” –Isaiah 40:31

→ “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11

And here are two songs to bring encouragement  when the waiting feels hard:
“Take Courage” by Bethel Music and “Trust in God” by Elevation Worship.