Walking in Faith--Not by Sight

None of us enjoy waiting and not knowing where we're going. Whether we're waiting for a promotion, healing, the fulfillment of a promise, or even an answer to a prayer, waiting can test our patience and our faith. Or our life is taking a different direction, but we're not sure what that is. When the future is uncertain, and nothing seems to change when we need or expect it, it's easy to feel frustrated, anxious, or even abandoned by God.

Yet, the Bible tells us that faith is "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). This assurance makes waiting a powerful part of our faith journey because true faith is built not on what we see but on trusting in the unseen hand of God, even when He seems silent and absent.

    {{PD-US}} – US work that is in the public domain in the US 

               for an unspecified reason, but presumably because it was published

                                                         in the US before 1929.

The Faith of Those Who Waited

Throughout Scripture, we find stories of great men and women of faith who endured seasons of waiting. Their examples offer us guidance and encouragement in our times of uncertainty.

• Abraham waited 25 years for God's promise of a son to be fulfilled. Despite his old age and his wife Sarah's barrenness, Abraham believed that what God had promised, He would accomplish (Romans 4:18-21). "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it was said to him…" Romans 4:18 NKJV

• Joseph waited for the dreams God had given him when he was young to come true. While waiting, Joseph spent years in prison and slavery after being sold by his brothers. Despite injustice and delay, Joseph remained faithful, and in the end, God elevated him to a position of great authority in Egypt (Genesis 41:39-41). Then Pharaoh told Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders…" Genesis 41:39

• David, anointed king of Israel as a young shepherd, spent years running from King Saul before he actually took the throne. During those years, he wrote many of the Psalms, expressing both his anguish and his trust in God's timing (Psalm 27:14). He wrote these words in Psalm 27:14 NKJV, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Each of these individuals faced long periods where it seemed like nothing was happening. At various times, they felt discouraged; Abraham's wife even doubted that God's promises would come true! In Genesis 18:12 NKJV, we read, "So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, 'After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?'" Abraham did believe, however, and we learn this in Genesis 15:6 NKJV, where it says, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited to him as righteousness."

These Bible heroes couldn't see how God was working behind the scenes, yet their faith was anchored in the belief that God was faithful to His word.

Faith Grows in the Waiting

Why does God ask us to wait? In the waiting, faith matures. Just as muscles grow stronger with resistance training, our faith is strengthened through the tension of waiting for something unseen. Waiting refines us, teaching us to rely fully on God, not on our own efforts or understanding.

In times of waiting, we are reminded of 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV: "For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV says, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

These verses point out that our journey with God often requires us to move forward even when we don't know the outcome, trusting that He is in control. For instance, if we've lost a job, we may not know where the money will come from to feed our family and pay the bills. That's pretty scary. But we are told to have faith and know that God is working in the background to help us.

At times of doubt, fear, and discouragement, we also hold onto Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This means acknowledging that God's plans and timing are higher and better than ours, even when we don't understand what He's doing behind the scenes.

Walking by faith, we let go of the need to see immediate results. We shift our trust from the visible to the invisible, believing that God is at work even when the evidence isn't obvious. As Romans 8:25 NKJV reminds us, "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

In the example used before, we may have lost a job and the paycheck that went with it. We're trying to find work but haven't found anything yet. Bills are due, and we have to feed the family. Situations like this may feel like walking utterly blind in the dark. You sense that God, at times, is guiding you. However, there may be other times you feel He's absent. Times like this can be discouraging and scary and cause you to doubt. But have faith! God is with you, and He's working on your behalf.

What to Do While You Wait

Faith in waiting doesn't mean sitting by and idling away the time. There are things we can do to strengthen our faith and maintain faith during seasons of waiting:

• Pray and surrender: keep communicating with God, even if you can't sense His presence. Waiting is often a time when our prayers become more honest and raw. As we surrender our desires to God's timing, we grow closer to Him and more aligned with His will (Philippians 4:6-7).

• Stay in the Word: God's Word is full of promises that give us hope in the waiting. When doubt creeps in, remind yourself of God's faithfulness through the Scriptures. Romans 10:17 NKJV tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Another powerful verse is Psalm 119:105 NKJV: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," reminding us that God's Word guides us step by step, even when the full path is unclear, and we feel we're walking blind in the dark.

• Practice Gratitude: while waiting, it's easy to focus on what we don't have. Practicing gratitude for God's current blessings helps us maintain a perspective of trust and contentment. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

• Act in Faith: even as you wait, continue to live out your faith. This may mean taking steps of obedience, trusting that God will guide you as you go, or serving others while you wait for your own breakthrough.

Trusting in God's Timing

One of the greatest challenges of waiting is the temptation to doubt God's timing. We often expect God to move quickly, but the Bible reminds us that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our own.

In Isaiah 40:31 NKJV, we read: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Waiting on the Lord isn't a passive act—it's a time of renewal and acting in faith. While we wait, God strengthens our faith, prepares our hearts, and refines our character for what's ahead.

As Psalm 37:7 NKJV reminds us, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass." This verse is a reminder to keep our focus on God, not on the circumstances or the successes of others.

The Blessing Beyond the Waiting

Although waiting can feel like a burden, it often leads to unexpected blessings. Sometimes, the waiting period is exactly what prepares us to receive God's promise. 

If Abraham had not waited, he wouldn't have been the father of nations. If Joseph had not waited, he wouldn't have been positioned to save his family and the country of Egypt in a time of famine. And if David had not waited, he wouldn't have been the man after God's own heart that we know today.

Faith that grows through waiting is deeper, stronger, and more enduring than faith that sees immediate results. It's a faith that truly walks "not by sight" but by trusting fully in God's unseen hand (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Do I Know What I'm Talking About?

I'm not being arrogant, but yes, I know what I'm talking about. Like each of us, I've experienced some hard things in my life. Each challenging circumstance seemed insurmountable at the time. However, looking back, I see how God brought me through. But there are times when it seems as if I've lost my way and have no guidance from the Lord. 

Right now, I'm experiencing a drought of writing clients. Things began going downhill about the time AI was released. Many businesses determined having an AI writer was cheaper than hiring a human writer. I also had a lot to deal with the past year and could not write as much. The result is that I'm now faced with a lack of income and wondering how to proceed.

One thing—I'm working on my own projects right now. That's a blessing. I have more time to write on my own blogs and create digital designs and products to sell. I have several things in process but no steady income yet.

I'm also taking time to read some great books on Christianity, doing Bible studies, and more. I'm staying active!

Have I shed a few tears during this time of waiting? Yes, I have; however, those were cleansing tears. Through all of this I've gained some insights, though I'm still in waiting. 

What I've come to understand is that I'm in a time of transition. Where will it lead? I have no idea; however, I'm working on those projects I've been led to do. God has been faithful so far, and I need to keep trusting Him so that He will fulfill His promises in the future, too.

Have I perfected this faith walk? No--even after years, there's still much to learn. Do I know what I'm talking about? Yes, I've been walking this faith journey for many years and have gained some experience. And God's not given up on me yet! But there's still a way to go and much to learn.

Conclusion: Waiting with Confidence

If you're in a season of waiting, like me, be encouraged. You are not alone, and God is not absent. He is working, even when you can't see it. Remember the words of Lamentations 3:25 NKJV: "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."

Keep trusting, keep hoping, and keep believing. The waiting may be long, but God is faithful, and His promises will come to pass in His perfect time.

God bless, 

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