What does it mean to wait on the Lord?

 

Waiting on God is one of the hardest parts of faith. We know we’re supposed to trust Him, but waiting can feel like spiritual quicksand—lots of time, very little movement, and no clear way out. You pray, you plan, you check the clock, and nothing seems to change.

But in Isaiah 40:31, “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength,” the word wait doesn’t mean “sit around.” The Hebrew qāwâ comes from a root that means to twist or stretch—like strands of a rope wound together. It’s not passive delay; it’s active dependence. To wait on the Lord means to stay connected to Him while you’re stretched by uncertainty.

Waiting on God isn’t doing nothing—it’s holding on.

When life pulls tight—when you’re between jobs, between answers, between what you prayed for and what’s actually happening—waiting looks like staying tied to His character. You keep talking to Him, keep obeying in small ways, keep remembering who He’s been before. That’s how you keep the cord from snapping.

Jesus modeled this kind of waiting. He didn’t rush His Father’s timing in the wilderness, at the wedding in Cana, or on the road to the cross. He trusted that delay didn’t mean denial. And because of His patience, resurrection came right on time.

The truth is, waiting on the Lord is less about what you’re waiting for and more about who you’re waiting with. The goal isn’t to get answers faster; it’s to stay attached long enough for your heart to change in the process.

Even your body feels the difference. Studies in neurotheology show that hopeful waiting—expectant, prayerful patience—actually lowers stress responses in the brain. When you stay connected to God instead of spiraling into control or panic, your nervous system learns peace. The waiting literally reshapes your resilience.

So no, waiting on the Lord doesn’t mean pretending you’re fine. It means being honest—“God, this hurts, but I’m not letting go.” It’s choosing presence over panic. It’s walking through uncertainty with open hands instead of clenched fists.

Sis, faith in the waiting isn’t measured by how calm you feel, but by how close you stay.

Takeaway: To wait on the Lord means to stay connected and responsive to God in the middle of delay—trusting Him enough to keep showing up, keep talking, and keep believing even when nothing’s moving yet.