“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:14 (CSB)
Let’s talk about something we all love to hate: waiting.
I don’t mean the “waiting for your pizza delivery” waiting. I’m talking about the deep, soul-level, “What in the world is going on with my life?” waiting.
The kind where:
- You’ve left one chapter behind (military, job, relationship…sanity?)
- But the next one hasn’t shown up yet.
- So you’re sitting there—emotionally in sweatpants—with more questions than clarity.
If you’re nodding your head, welcome. You’ve entered the Pause Zone. No, it’s not as exciting as a combat zone or as fun as a Netflix binge, but trust me—it’s holy ground.
What Even Is This Season?
Some people call it a transition. Others call it a desert. I call it The Awkward In-Between. It’s like standing at baggage claim, waiting for your identity to roll by on the conveyor belt—and it’s taking its sweet time.
You’re no longer in the fight.
But you’re not fully healed.
You’re not who you used to be.
But you don’t know who you’re becoming.
It’s weird. It’s frustrating. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably asked God things like:
- “What’s the plan here?”
- “Am I broken, or is this part of the process?”
- “Are You even listening…or did You accidentally mute me?”
Faith in the Waiting Room
Here’s a biblical fun fact: God does some of His best work in the waiting room.
- Moses waited 40 years in the wilderness before leading a nation.
- David was anointed king and then went back to being a shepherd (and dodging spears).
- Joseph sat in a prison cell for years, unjustly accused, before stepping into his calling.
They weren’t sitting around twiddling their thumbs. God was building something in them: character, clarity, dependence, and purpose.
So if you’re in a “holdover” season, you’re not being punished. You’re being prepared.
The Military Taught Us to Wait…Kinda
Now, I know you’ve already had advanced training in waiting:
- Waiting for orders.
- Waiting for chow.
- Waiting for formation to be called just to stand there and…wait.
- Oh, and the famous “hurry up and wait”—military poetry at its finest.
But this spiritual kind of waiting? Totally different. There’s no exact ETA. No safety brief. No checklist. Just you, God, and a whole lot of “I don’t know what I’m doing.” And yet… something sacred happens in the pause.
God Is Not Wasting Your Pause
I know it feels like nothing’s happening, but beneath the surface, something is.
God isn’t stalling—He’s strengthening.
Maybe He’s helping you detox from years of being “on” all the time.
Maybe He’s unearthing stuff in your heart that’s been buried under duty and survival mode.
Maybe He’s just trying to get you to finally sit still long enough to hear Him whisper.
Whatever the reason, don’t confuse pause with punishment. This isn’t a spiritual timeout. It’s divine recalibration.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
Sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is not move until God says, “Go.”
What Can You Do While You Wait?
Glad you asked. Because sitting still doesn’t mean doing nothing. Here are some practical, soul-friendly things to do when your purpose feels like it’s in limbo:
1. Reconnect with God (Without the Pressure)
You don’t need to journal a theological thesis. Just talk to Him. Even if all you say is, “Hey God… I’m tired.” That counts. That matters.
2. Do the Small, Faithful Things
Go on a walk. Help a neighbor. Volunteer at church. Text someone you haven’t talked to in a while. The small stuff? That’s holy too.
3. Stay Rooted in the Word
Even if it’s just a verse a day, pick one and chew on it like spiritual jerky. Psalm 27:14 is a good one. So is Romans 8:28. Or basically anything Jesus said.
4. Let God Heal What You’ve Been Avoiding
This season might finally give you the margin to face the stuff you didn’t have time to process before. Therapy, prayer, community—do the work. Your future self will thank you.
5. Ask God to Reignite Your Purpose
Be honest. “Lord, I don’t know what I’m called to anymore. Show me.” And then watch how He opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
This Is Sacred Ground
Waiting seasons are not dead ends. They’re not delays in your destiny. They’re not proof that God forgot about you. They’re a setup. For healing. For clarity. For preparation.
If you’re in the pause right now, you are not behind. You are not forgotten. And no, you’re not crazy. You’re just being held by a God who works in the stillness as much as in the storm.
Reflection Questions
- What are you waiting for right now—and how do you honestly feel about it?
- In what ways might God be using this pause to grow or shape you?
- What is one small, faithful thing you can do today to stay connected to God during this season?
A Prayer for the Paused and the Patient (and the Impatient)
God, thank You that You never waste a moment. Even when it feels like life is on hold, You are still working. Help me to trust You in the pause. Teach me to listen, to breathe, to rest, and to believe that this season matters. I may not see the whole picture, but I know the Artist is good. Give me courage to wait well, and eyes to see You in the quiet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thought If no one’s told you this lately: You’re doing better than you think. You may feel stuck, but God is at work. You might feel invisible, but God sees you. And you might feel behind, but you’re right on time in God’s plan. So stay steady, friend. Your next mission will come. For now? Trust the process. Trust the pause. And go ahead and refill your coffee. You’ve got time.