⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:4 (ESV)

WAIT ON GOD

Waiting does not come easy nowadays. Amazon Prime one-day shipping doesn’t feel fast enough sometimes. The drive-through takes too long. I-75 South was too slow, so you got a Peach Pass—and now even that isn’t as fast as you’d like. We live in a culture of instant gratification, and when things don’t happen in our timing, it’s easy to get frustrated. Waiting stretches us in unusual ways because it is so countercultural simply to wait.

James tells us in verse 4 that steadfastness must have its full effect. Can I be honest? That doesn’t sound quick. But James is saying that in order for us to grow, it will take time. Waiting is not wasted time. In fact, it may be the very place where God wants to do His best work in you.

None of us like to wait. But God sees something bigger. Think back to Genesis and the story of Abram. God promised him descendants who would outnumber the stars. There was only one problem: he had no children, and he was 75 years old. This was a promise God had made to him, but it did not begin to materialize for another 25 years! (God must not have believed in Amazon Prime.) Abram even became impatient with God and tried to take matters into his own hands through his servant Hagar.

This is the reality of waiting—it reveals who we trust and how dependent we are on God. If every prayer were answered instantly, would we truly depend on the Lord? If God supernaturally provided everything we ever desired, would we even believe that we needed Him?

In a strange way, waiting becomes a gift. It forces us to slow down, unclench our grip on control, and live in a posture of faith. Waiting strips away the illusion of self-sufficiency and reminds us that we are not God. Honestly, I wonder if waiting is one of the Lord’s ways of training our hearts to remember that we are fully dependent on Him.

So how can we wait well?

1. Stay rooted in Scripture — When God feels silent, His Word still speaks. Fill your mind with His promises while you wait.

2. Pray honestly — Waiting isn’t about pretending you’re okay. Pour out your frustration and weariness to God. He can handle it!

3. Be patient with others — Seasons of waiting can make us irritable because we feel unsteady. Let the Spirit use this time to grow your gentleness and grace toward those around you.

4. Look back at His faithfulness — Waiting means you don’t yet know the end of the story. Take heart in how God has written past chapters of your life. Remind yourself of how He has proven Himself faithful before.

Let’s be honest: waiting can hurt. It can bring tears, frustration, and moments of deep despair. Some of you may have been waiting for years—for healing, restoration, or breakthrough. James isn’t minimizing that pain. Instead, he challenges us to lift our eyes to the bigger picture. Waiting is never wasted. God is completing something in you that can only be formed through time.

Today, make the daily choice to trust God in your waiting. Don’t rush the process. Don’t despise the delay. God may be using this very season to shape your heart, strengthen your faith, and prepare you for something greater than you could ever imagine!

Sellers Hickman serves as College & Teaching Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their two daughters. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.