#20 Trusting God's Timing In A Fast Paced World

Have you ever felt like everyone else's life is moving forward while you’re stuck in the same place, just… waiting?
Waiting to meet the right person.
Waiting for a child to come.
Waiting for that job or promotion.
Waiting for the promise of God to be fulfilled.

If you're a Christian parent, couple, or grandparent, you likely know this season of life all too well. You pray. You're fast. You believe. But nothing seems to be changing. It’s like you're holding your breath while life keeps moving for everyone else.

Honestly speaking, waiting is hard. But here’s the truth we often forget: waiting is not denial.
God’s delay is not God’s rejection. His timing is not just different; it is also better.

When We Try to Rush God

Remember Sarah? The wife of Abraham, the mother of nations? She knew what it felt like to wait on a promise for years, decades even. God had promised Abraham that he would become a father of many nations. But time passed, and no baby came.
So Sarah did what many of us are tempted to do: she tried to help God fulfill His own promise. She offered her maid, Hagar, to Abraham. Maybe that was how God planned to do it? Maybe this was how the promise would be fulfilled?

We now know how that story ended. The once peaceful household was turned into a place of conflict, jealousy, and pain. Sarah’s relationship with Hagar changed. Her marriage was shaken. And what she thought would bring joy brought her sorrow.
This is what happens when we strive instead of trust. God's timing requires our trust, not timetables and clocks.
As couples and parents, we must be careful not to let cultural pressure or personal frustration drive our decisions. Society glorifies hustle, speed, and getting instant results. But God operates in seasons. He works through the process. His calendar and timing do not match ours. The Scripture reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” 
That includes your marriage, your children, your finances, your ministry, and your dreams; all of it will be beautiful when it is time. But in the meantime, our role is to trust and obey, not manipulate outcomes. Jesus said to His disciples in Acts 1:7, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority.” They wanted to know when. God wanted them to live ready.

The Pressure to “Do Something Now”
We live in a world that whispers (or shouts), “Do something, anything now!” And when we see others moving forward, that whisper becomes a roar. But you are not everyone else.
You are God’s child. You are part of His divine plan. And your journey is handcrafted by Him, not mass-produced by the world’s standards.   Sarah looked around and thought, “Everyone else is doing it. This is how people get these things done.” But we are called to live differently. We are called to walk by faith, not by sight or comparison. Romans 8:14 says, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Being led by the Spirit means letting go of the need to know the outcome and resting in the One who holds the outcome.

When You Try to Play God
The moment we take matters into our own hands, we risk hurting ourselves through stress, regret, and missed peace. Our relationships, just like Sarah and Abraham’s household was ruffled, so ours can be if we move outside God’s will.

But you are not everyone else.
You are God’s child.

You are part of His divine plan.

And your journey is handcrafted by Him,

not mass-produced by the world’s standards.

Our legacy: Ishmael’s story didn’t end with his birth. The tension between him and Isaac went on for generations. One hasty decision can affect your children and their future.
Sarah may have once had a good relationship with Hagar. You don’t just choose anyone for that kind of trust. But after her decision, the relationship was permanently damaged. Even later, when Isaac was finally born, the Scripture says Ishmael mocked him. Why? Because children reflect what they hear and see. Ishmael must have picked up on the tension, the resentment, the division; and it showed in his behavior towards Isaac (Gen. 21:9)
We must remember: it’s not just about now. Our decisions ripple into tomorrow.

God's Mercy in Our Mess
But let’s also remember: God is merciful. Sarah made a mistake, but God still fulfilled His promise. Yes, it came with challenges. Yes, there were consequences. But when the time came, God opened her womb, and she gave birth to Isaac, laughter. She even said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6).

You may feel tired, worn out, and tempted to force the outcome. But don’t move until God moves. Don’t act just because others are acting. Trust God, wait, and rest. There is peace in the waiting if you know who you're waiting on.

What Should You Do While You Wait?
Stay close to God through prayer, worship, and the Word.   These  will anchor you in the waiting season.   

• Guard your heart. Bitterness and comparison will creep in if you’re not intentional.
• Keep serving. Don’t stop living just because the promise hasn’t come.
• Speak life. Declare God’s promises over your life and your family.

• Trust His track record of being faithful. He has never failed anyone who waited on Him.

  
  Final Encouragement
  As a Christian parent or grandparent, your example matters. The way you wait speaks volumes to your spouse, children, and grandchildren. Let them see a faith that isn’t frantic but firm. Let them see you trusting God even when it’s hard. Teach them that success isn’t always about speed but about obedience and surrender. Show them that waiting on God is not passive but powerful. And when they face their own delays in life, they will remember how you waited and how God came through.

Yes, waiting is hard for our humanness. But God is worth the wait. And when the time comes, just like Sarah, you will laugh. Let’s walk together in patience and trust because our God makes all things beautiful in His time.
Next time on the blog: “And Then She Laughed: How God Turns Waiting into Joy.” Stay tuned for a powerful look at what happened when Sarah finally received the promise.

Highlights from the Blog Post:

• Waiting is not denial; it's divine preparation.
• Striving leads to sorrow, but trusting leads to peace.

• Your faith in waiting becomes a legacy.
   

  Pause and Reflect:
  Am I trusting God's timing in this season, or am I trying to force things to happen my way? What kind of example am I setting for my spouse, children, or grandchildren in how I handle seasons of waiting?

   

  Related Resources

• Want to hear more about Purpose? Listen to Podcast #3 – What To Do When God Says 'Yes,' And The Fog Says 'No'

  Listen to Podcast   #1 – How To Overcome Limiting Beliefs