Finding Purpose in the Waiting Season What to Do When God Says ‘Not Yet’

Are you in a season of waiting, wondering why God has you here with no clear next step? Waiting can feel like a wilderness—frustrating, confusing, and sometimes even painful. In this episode, we dive into what to do when God says “Not yet.” I share my personal story of how a season of uncertainty tested my faith, led me to make some of the hardest decisions of my life, and ultimately prepared me for something greater than I could have imagined.

We’ll look at biblical truths about waiting, practical tips to navigate this season, and a little humor (because let’s be real—waiting is hard!). If you’re struggling to trust God’s timing, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in now and remember—your waiting is not wasted!

Transcript

Finding Purpose in the Waiting Season: What to Do When God Says ‘Not Yet’

Hey friends, welcome back to the Made for More Ministries podcast! I’m so glad you’re here because today, we’re diving into something that I think everyone has experienced at some point—waiting.

Oh, waiting. That dreaded in-between space where you’ve stepped out in faith, made the hard decisions, and are just sitting there, staring at God like, “Okay… any day now.”

Maybe you’re waiting for clarity on a job decision. Maybe you’re waiting for healing, for breakthrough in your marriage, for that long-prayed-for baby, or just for the next step in something. Whatever it is, waiting can feel frustrating, confusing, and sometimes downright painful.

But here’s what I’ve learned—God doesn’t waste the waiting. The wilderness is often the most refining, transformational place He leads us through. And today, we’re going to dig into why waiting is so hard, what we can do in the middle of it, and how we can trust that God is still working—even when it feels like nothing is happening.

When Waiting Feels Like a Wilderness

There’s a story in the Bible that perfectly captures the pain and purpose of waiting—the story of the Israelites in the wilderness.

In Exodus 14, God miraculously delivers them from Egypt (think: parting the Red Sea, dramatic rescues, undeniable proof of His power). But instead of heading straight to the Promised Land, they wander in the wilderness for 40 years.

Why? Because their hearts needed transformation. They needed to learn dependence on God. They needed to let go of old ways and fully trust Him before stepping into the next season.

Sound familiar? Sometimes, God leads us into a waiting season not to punish us, but to prepare us.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” — Lamentations 3:25

My Story: When My World Got Turned Upside Down

Now, let me share a personal story of how God brought me into a deep season of waiting and what I learned in the process.

This season began when I found out some extremely disturbing news about a mentor I had leaned on for nearly 10 years. This woman was a pillar for me—through tough marital seasons, personal struggles, and my faith journey. She was someone I trusted completely.

And then, one day, I found out the truth about what had really been happening behind the scenes. It rocked my world. I started questioning everything—my judgment, my reality, my faith. If this person I admired so much wasn’t who I thought she was, what else in my life was a lie?

About a month later, our church did a corporate fast. They do this every January, but this time, it was the most spiritually intense experience I had ever gone through. There were moments where I felt so close to God, and other moments where I faced some of the hardest spiritual battles of my life.

But ultimately, that fast led my husband, Josh, and me to make some of the hardest decisions we’ve ever had to make. We had to step away from this mentor couple and the relationships that came with them. And in the midst of all of it, I heard God tell me something that I did not want to hear.

He said: QUIT EVERYTHING.

Now, listen. If you know me, you know my biggest struggle has always been the fear that our finances won’t be enough. So hearing God tell me to quit my part-time jobs with no backup plan? That felt like a straight-up test.

But I did it. I walked away from all of it, believing that God had something better ahead.

And then… I waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

At first, I was frustrated. “God, You led me through this huge storm, told me to quit everything… and now what? You’re just going to leave me here?”

I sought after God harder than ever before. But I didn’t understand why I had to go through all that just to sit and wait.

What I didn’t realize was what was coming next.

• We moved halfway across the country.
• I started this podcast.
• We experienced loss in a way we never expected when we lost a baby.
• COVID happened, flipping our world upside down again.
• Then, we moved halfway around the country again.

I could go on for hours about everything that happened in that year, but the point is this:

The waiting was the wilderness I had to endure to step into what God had next.

What to Do in the Waiting Season

So if you’re in a season of waiting, wondering why God has led you here with no clear next step, let me give you some practical things to focus on.

1. Seek God More Than Answers

Instead of obsessing over when the waiting will end, shift your focus to who is with you in it.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33

God isn’t just after the outcome—you are the outcome. He wants to mold you, refine you, and draw you closer to Him during this time.

Practical Tip: Spend intentional time with God every day. Worship, pray, journal—whatever helps you draw near.

2. Don’t Rush What God is Doing

The Israelites tried to shortcut their journey by doubting God and complaining. It didn’t work out well for them.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” — Psalm 37:7

Waiting isn’t wasted time—it’s preparation time.

Practical Tip: Ask yourself, What is God teaching me in this season? Write it down and reflect on it.

3. Don’t Let Doubt Take Over

When we wait too long, we start doubting if God is even working. But He always is.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” — Psalm 27:14

Practical Tip: When doubt creeps in, speak truth over yourself. Write down Bible verses and say them out loud.

A Little Humor: How Waiting Feels in Real Life

Waiting on God is kind of like waiting for your food at a restaurant.

• You know your order is coming, but after 20 minutes, you start questioning your life choices.
• After 30 minutes, you start watching other tables get served, wondering if the waiter forgot about you.
• By 45 minutes, you’re this close to storming the kitchen and making your own meal.

But the best meals take time to prepare. And just like that, God is preparing something far better than we could cook up on our own.

If you’re in a waiting season right now, know this:

• God is not punishing you.
• God has not forgotten you.
• God is preparing you.

The wilderness always comes before the Promised Land. And when you finally step into what God has for you, you’ll see that the waiting wasn’t wasted—it was necessary.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

So hold on, friend. Keep seeking Him, keep trusting, and remember—you are Made for More.

Until next time, keep waiting well. 🙌