"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart, and wait for the LORD."
— Psalms 27:14 (NIV)
Have you ever wondered why some of life's most meaningful moments occur when nothing seems to be happening at all? Scripture shows that God's most remarkable work often occurs in seasons of waiting.
Life's pauses
We all have them, those uncomfortable gaps in life:
The waiting seasons.
The silent (unanswered) prayers.
The plans that didn't work out.
They feel like interruptions, like life has hit pause when you were ready to press forward.
But what if those pauses aren't empty?
What if they're necessary?
Life is a journey
Life is a journey filled with obstacles and encounters with challenging people. Our journey begins the day we are born, and we set out without knowing our destination or when it will end.
Ultimately, we must reach our destination, our destiny.
Destiny is calling
Do we have a clear vision of this destiny?
Certainly not! We often lack knowledge of the right paths to take to fulfill our potential.
In earthly journeys, there are maps to guide us, but in life's journey, there is no map, and the routes are unclear. We do not know the roadblocks we will face, nor the rivers or bridges we must cross. We are also unaware of the mountains we must climb, the deserts we must endure, or the forests we must traverse.
Life has its seasons, and we must know which ones favor our progress and which call for patience and prayer.
Along the way, some people will try to steal what God has placed within us and hinder our progress.
Destiny has no map
While we know nothing about the destiny that seems to elude us, we must remember that we were born to be great! This is true because we are champions from the moment we enter this world, having already triumphed over millions in our mother's womb.
We may not have a map to our destiny, but the only guide we truly need is within us. Our best course is to discover our potential, which will lead us to our true path.
We must recognize our inner talents and cultivate them, never letting discouragement keep us from shining.
We attend school or participate in other societal activities to discover our true potential.
Our journey is fundamentally about discovering who we are meant to be and living that truth fully. While this sounds straightforward, numerous obstacles can hinder our ability to realize our potential.
We may encounter people who try to impose misguided paths on us, life challenges that seek to divert us, or temptations to take shortcuts that ultimately become traps. Often, we abandon our course to follow others, mistakenly believing their paths are easier.
Everyone encounters obstacles along life's journey
These obstacles mark the pauses in life, and how we respond during these moments greatly influences the next phase of our journey.
When God asked Moses to tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go, Pharaoh reacted angrily because Moses said they did not know what to use for worship until they reached their destination (Exodus 10:26, NIV).
Moses was correct; they did not even know what offering to bring or which land was designated as their promised land.
However, God sent His angel ahead to prepare their way (Exodus 23:20, NIV), clearing obstacles and signaling when to move forward and when to pause (Exodus 13:21-22, NIV).
God moves ahead of His children
What does "God has gone ahead to prepare the way" mean?
It means that pauses in life are natural. There are bridges to cross, periods of waiting, and paths to avoid.
If God takes care of everything, we must still face disappointments as He redirects or protects us.
Delays do not automatically mean denial; life is not a sprint or a straight path but a marathon with twists and turns.
We may have to lose some battles to win the war.
Pilgrims on Earth
Everyone born into this world should set their minds on pilgrimage (Psalms 84:5, NIV), remaining unattached to anything except the ultimate goal.
Those who adopt this mindset will grow from strength to strength; disappointments will not drain them because they see them as redirections.
They will soar to new heights like eagles, seeing the impossible as opportunities.
Even young people can feel exhausted on their journeys, yet those who possess the wisdom to let go of disappointments, the power to move beyond obstacles, and the grace to hope in times of trouble will stand firm when others falter (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV).
So let God redirect your steps during life's pauses (2 Samuel 5:23-24, NIV). Trust Him (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
We have heard so much about 'the Lion of the tribe of Judah'. Christ is often associated with this phrase (Revelation 5:5, NKJV) because God is also portrayed as a Lion.
However, this phrase is often misunderstood.
The phrase doesn't only mean 'strength'; it also means 'wisdom or strategy, patience, and efficiency,' reflecting a lion's personality.
The lion is not considered the 'King of the Jungle' because it is the strongest animal, but because it behaves like royalty.
Why did Jacob compare Judah to a lion?
Judah was the first among his brothers to muster the courage to take life by the horns, but when he returned, he remained within his family as someone who couldn't act. That's why it was said, "Who can arouse him?" (Genesis 49:9, NKJV).
When observing a lion, you might think it's lazy because it sleeps or rests for 16 to 20 hours a day, but when it awakens to hunt, no one can stop it. Its hunting is majestic.
Similarly, God leads us in royal majesty.
But because we are unfamiliar with God's ways, we often say, "This person is lazy, or God has abandoned them."
God guided the Israelites into their promised land like a Lion. Though they seemed lost and weak, they proved formidable. The nations that opposed them were overthrown.
God leads in royal majesty
He guided the ancient prophets like a Lion; He also led Christ in this way.
Recall that there was a time when Christ's brothers questioned why He wasn't revealing Himself publicly, and His way seemed unusual to them (John 7:3-4, NIV). Nonetheless, this is how the Spirit moves (John 7:6, 9, NIV), reflecting the structure of life.
Life is not a straight race; it has bridges and roadblocks, and pauses that are defining moments, contrary to what some people believe.
Finding Peace in the Pauses of Life
There are seasons in life that feel loud.
Dreams move fast. Doors open. Plans make sense.
And then there are the pauses.
The moments where nothing seems to happen.
The prayers that feel unanswered.
The waiting seasons no one prepares you for.
Sometimes life pauses you before promoting you.
What if the silence is not punishment?
What if the delay is not a failure?
What if God is doing His deepest work in the stillness you are trying to flee?
The truth is, many people only celebrate the rising season, few talk about the hidden season, the season when faith is quietly tested.
The pause can feel uncomfortable because it forces you to sit with questions you cannot answer:
"Why is everyone moving ahead while I am not?"
"Why is this taking so long?"
"Did God forget about me?"
But Faith teaches something powerful:
God is still working even when life seems to be still.
A seed underground appears inactive until it breaks through the soil.
In the same way, your growth may be invisible until it becomes undeniable.
Some of the strongest people are not those who never struggled, they are those who learned to trust God in uncertain seasons.
The pause teaches lessons that success often cannot:
- Patience when you want instant answers
- Trust when you cannot see the outcome
- Strength when emotions feel heavy
- Peace that does not depend on circumstances
And that peace changes everything.
Not because life suddenly becomes perfect, but because your heart is no longer ruled by panic (John 14:27, NIV).
Ascend Through Faith
Faith gives you the ability to breathe through storms rather than drown in them.
Sometimes God slows you down so you can heal.
Sometimes, He closes doors so you stop settling for less.
Sometimes, He removes distractions so you can rediscover who you are.
The waiting season is not wasted if God is in it.
You may not understand the timing now, but many people later realize that the pause kept them from rushing into the wrong relationships, opportunities, or versions of themselves.
Peace comes when you stop fighting every delay and start believing that God sees the whole picture.
That does not mean you should give up.
It means you should stop shouldering the weight of the entire future.
You pray.
You grow.
You keep moving.
And you trust that God can open doors no human effort could force open.
The beautiful thing about faith is this:
Even when life pauses, God's purpose does not.
Your story is still unfolding.
The silence is not the end.
Waiting is not a weakness.
And the pause is not proof that you are forgotten.
Sometimes the strongest rise begins in the quietest season.
So if life feels slow right now, do not lose hope.
Rest. Pray. Heal. Grow.
And trust that when the time is right, God knows exactly how to help you rise.
Psalm: Wait On the Lord
When storms arise and shadows fall, And answers seem delayed on calls, When every door still appears closed, And dreams lie silent, unspoken, Wait on the Lord.
When weary feet have lost their pace, And tears have traced your troubled face, When hope feels distant in the night, And faith must walk without clear sight, Wait on the Lord.
For He is working even then, Beyond the view of mortal men. His timing is perfect, wise, and true, Preparing blessings for you. Wait on the Lord.
The seed beneath the earth must remain, Before it blooms in bright array. The dawn arrives, though the night seems long, And sorrow turns into joyful song. Wait on the Lord.
He gives new strength to those who trust, Who place their hearts in Him, not in dust. They rise on wings like eagles, Renewed by grace.
So do not fear, do not despair, Your Father hears every one of your prayers. His promises will undoubtedly prove true, Just wait, and watch His mighty hand. Wait on the Lord. Amen.