How to Trust God When Life Is Stuck on Pause
The Christian life is not without trials and tribulations. Sometimes, we go into seasons of waiting where it seems like life's plans are placed on hold. Other times, we question whether God is with us when life gets complicated and things get worse.
In recent news, two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are expected to return to Earth after a nine-month stay at the International Space Station. Despite initial plans to return last year one week after launch, their trip was delayed due to issues with the Boeing Starliner and later by a need for a new SpaceX capsule to deliver their replacements.
At the present time, the astronauts are waiting to arrive at the ISS next week prior to checking out later this month. As part of their SpaceX ride home, Wilmore and Williams will be joined by two astronauts who previously launched in September.
During an interview with reporters, Williams shared that she looks forward to be reunited with her Labrador retrievers. She added that the hardest part about the delay was the wait by their families back home.
"It's been a roller coaster for them, probably a little bit more so than for us," she said. "We're here. We have a mission. We're just doing what we do every day, and every day is interesting because we're up in space, and it's a lot of fun."
As someone who has never traveled to outer space, I cannot fathom what it is like being up there, much less waiting a prolonged period of time to return to Earth. As noted by Williams, the hardest part about the matter is that there are families waiting for her and Wilmore back home. Generally speaking, however, I do understand what it means to wait and deal with seasons in which you feel like nothing is changing in your favor or is getting worse. I also recognize what it entails when it comes to waiting on God, realizing that life is not about you, nor does it turn out the way you want it to be.
It is easy to become frustrated amid the waiting, wondering when God will respond to our prayers and move in our lives. It is also easy to compare yourself to others during this time because they seem to be doing well in life while you're still stuck in the status quo you've been meaning to get out of for a long time.
As stated in Scripture in the book of James 1:2-4, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
In looking at this text, we recognize the inevitability of trials by which Christians recognize that "testing of your faith produces steadfastness." Therefore, nothing is in vain in the trials as they are an opportunity for spiritual growth, that is, steadfastness. In the context of the story, the astronauts are facing the trial of awaiting their return, which has been prolonged in the past year. Although the matter sounds difficult, there is an end goal-– their return trip home. Therefore, steadfastness can be cultivated in the midst of the waiting.
How much of a greater reality for the Christian, for we know that our Lord Jesus Christ always lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). As the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus Christ made a way for us so that we would run the race set before us with endurance (verse 1).
Therefore, we can wait upon the Lord even if our plans are placed on hold because He is sufficient. As He told the apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). It Doesn't matter what kind of trials we face; it does not neglect or diminish the perfect sufficiency.
Throughout our Christian walk, believers recognize that nothing in their plan in life is truly set in stone, as God is ultimately the one who guides and directs our lives. We see this multiple times in Scripture, stressing how the Lord's plans ultimately prevail over our own.
"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).
"I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).
The Book of James states it is best to consider saying "the Lord wills" regarding our plans.
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:13-15).
Now, that is something all believers should take into consideration because they recognize that their lives are in God's hands, who, in His providence, "works all things together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Although the seasons of waiting may be long, it is worth it because the Lord continues to be at work in our lives for His glory. Ultimately, waiting is more than outcomes; it is a transformation in God that we would draw closer to Him and reflect Him in our lives.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/grakozy
Originally published March 14, 2025.
