Waiting is hard, isn’t it? Whether for God’s timing, a breakthrough, or a dream yet to come, I’ve put together 10 Scriptures for Hope in the Waiting, plus a free printable to encourage your heart.

One night recently, as dinner was simmering, I stepped onto our back patio to water my plants. The tomato leaves had wilted in the Reno heat, a telltale sign that I forgot to water them well the day before. I’m sorry, girls! They got a good drink, along with the other containers with zinnias and basil (my poor lavender died weeks ago).

Then, lo and behold! A new yellow-green seedling smiled up at me! I haven’t planted any seeds since June, and I thought most of those had started to root, but died, never breaking through the surface.

Similarly, humble garden feels like the hopes I’d had about publishing my newest book: early spring promised dreams of flourishing plants, fruit, and beauty. But instead, I have a couple of spindly tomatoes, two zinnia blooms, and a few meager seedlings.

Likewise, for my work, I had hopes of hugging my beautiful book and sharing the hope! Speaking messages of the Lord coming through! I imagined meeting beautiful women at book signings and sharing testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Instead, my manuscript remains untouched in Google Docs. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

Maybe you’re also waiting on the Lord to come through. Maybe you’ve thought it’s time to go all in, to suddenly feel held back, unable to progress. Doubts and discouragement creep in from the enemy. But maybe we’re here, waiting for the fruit of our hopes, on purpose.

I’m here with you. And let’s not give in to the lies that steal our hope and take our eyes off the Lord and his character of love, faithfulness, and constant presence.

When God Plants Seeds

I received a letter, dated a day before I shared about my book delays and discouragement. My sweet friend, Kaylah, gave me a word I needed to soak in, and I think this is for you, too, in your season of waiting:

“Seeds the Lord has allowed to be planted in our lives may at times go dormant for a resting season. But do not be discouraged, those seeds are only resting until their season; they have not died. They have been buried so that they in time may grow and bring forth an abundance of fruit.”

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25

Can we wait patiently because our Lord is faithful to work his good purposes? Yes. Can we trust him to shape our desires to align with his heart? Yes. Yes, Lord. May we release our plans to him and pray, “Not my will but yours, Father.”

I yield my seeds of writing and books, and ministry to the Lord. He is the Good Gardener and has plans beyond what I can fathom. It’s just not time to sprout. But it will come, and we hope for that, trust him for that.

10 Verses for Hope in the Waiting

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. — Psalm 40:1

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. — Lamentations 3:25

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:31

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. — Psalm 27:14

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. — Psalm 130:5

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. — Micah 7:7

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. — Romans 8:25

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. — Psalm 33:20

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! — Isaiah 30:18

Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. — Psalm 37:34

All Scripture taken from The Holy Bible: New International Version, Zondervan, 2011.

Carry This Hope With You

I’ve put together a free printable of 10 Scriptures for Hope in the Waiting — ones that remind me that God is faithful, his timing is perfect, and hope is alive even in the waiting. Especially in the waiting.