5 Ways to Trust in God’s Timing This Coming Year

1. Rest in God’s Sovereignty

One of the foundational steps to trusting God’s timing is to remember that God is sovereign over everything and everyone. When you face delays, unanswered prayers, or unexpected detours, it’s easy to become anxious. Yet, Proverbs 16:9 points out: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Trusting in God’s sovereignty means believing that God is guiding your life, even when you can’t see the whole picture. God’s sovereignty reminds you that nothing in your life is a surprise to him. God knows your joys, your struggles, and the desires of your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11 assures you: “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.” God’s plans for you are good, no matter what circumstances you’re facing right now. Resting in God’s sovereignty involves letting go of trying to control the situations in your life. This doesn’t mean neglecting your responsibilities, but instead, recognizing that the ultimate outcome is in God’s hands. It might involve surrendering a particular dream or timeline to God, trusting that God will work all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Take time this year to meditate on God’s power and control over all circumstances. When you face uncertainty, reflect on how God has been faithful in your past, and let those memories inspire you to trust God with your future.

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2. Lean on God’s Promises

God’s Word is filled with promises that assure you of his faithfulness. Isaiah 40:31 tells you: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” When waiting feels unbearable, lean on God’s promises to sustain you. The Bible is not only a record of God’s faithfulness in the past but also a source of strength for the present. As you read stories of God fulfilling his promises – such as his covenant with Abraham, his deliverance of Israel from Egypt, or his provision through Jesus Christ – let them remind you of God’s unchanging character. Hebrews 13:8 declares: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This truth assures you that the God who was faithful then will be faithful now. Integrating Bible verses about God’s promises into your daily life can help you trust those promises more.

Memorize verses that speak to areas where you struggle to trust. For example, if you struggle with anxiety about the future, hold onto Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” If you feel discouraged while you’re waiting, remind yourself of Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” It can also help to journal about specific promises that resonate with you and how God has been faithfully working in your life. When doubts come up, read your journal to see how God has been at work in your life so far. Leaning on God’s promises isn’t passive; it’s an active choice to build your faith by focusing on God’s truth rather than on your anxiety. This year, make it a habit to memorize and reflect on verses about God’s perfect timing and God’s care for you. Create a list of these promises and turn to them whenever doubt creeps into your mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of God’s promises in every situation where you need to keep trusting God’s timing. 

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3. Develop More Patience Through Prayer

Patience is both a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and an important part of trusting God’s timing. It’s important to develop more patience to keep growing closer to God. Prayer is a powerful tool for developing patience. When you pour out your thoughts and feelings honestly to God, God will respond by giving you a greater perspective while you wait. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages you: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Through prayer, God replaces your impatience with his peace. When Jesus’ followers asked him how to pray, he taught them to trust God for their daily needs: “Give us today our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). This simple request shows dependence on God for the present moment rather than worrying about the future. You can build prayer and meditation habits that will help you talk to God and listen to God patiently. Set aside time each morning or evening to talk to God about the areas where you’re struggling to wait. Be honest with God about your fears and frustrations. Ask God to help you trust his timing. Over time, you’ll find that prayer not only helps you endure waiting seasons but also changes your perspective so you can see that there is a good purpose for the delays.

You can also pray God’s Word back to him to apply Bible verses to your life. For instance, when you’re feeling tired, you can pray Isaiah 40:31: “Lord, help me to hope in you so that I renew my strength. Let me soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, and walk without fainting.” This practice reinforces God’s promises in your heart and mind. Also, give thanks to God on a regular basis. Gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what God has already provided. As you thank God for past blessings and answered prayers, you build confidence in God’s faithfulness and strengthen your patience for future answers. Colossians 4:2 encourages you to: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” This year, let prayer help you wait when you need to wait to experience God’s best for you.

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4. Pursue Awe-Inspiring Experiences

Sometimes, the best way to trust God’s timing is to gain a fresh perspective on time itself. Awe-inspiring experiences help you live fully in the present moment and discover the wonder of God’s work around you every day. That can help you trust God’s timing more deeply. Psalm 90:2 declares, “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” The beauty and vastness of creation point to a Creator God who exists outside of time, orchestrating all things according to his eternal plan. As Job 12:7-10 points out, nature teaches you about God: “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”

Visiting a majestic mountain range, standing by the ocean, or gazing up at a star-filled sky can help you appreciate God's eternal wisdom and perfect timing. This year, make it a goal to intentionally seek out moments that inspire you with awe and wonder – such as exploring the outdoors, attending worship services that help you connect with God, or and pursuing lifelong learning opportunities. Each of these experiences can shift your focus from your temporary worries to God’s eternal plan. When you feel impatient, let awe-inspiring moments remind you of God’s greatness and his ability to work out everything for the best. Experiencing God’s wonder can restore your faith in God’s wisdom and renew your trust in his timing. Consider keeping a journal to document your awe-inspiring experiences. Write about what you saw, how it made you feel, and what it taught you about God. Let it all help you develop an eternal perspective that makes it easier to trust God’s timing.

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5. Expect the Best

God always does what’s best for you, so expect the best (not the worst) to happen when God’s timing is right. When you need to wait for something that’s important to you, you can wait with hope. Lamentations 3:25 assures you: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” In seasons of waiting, it’s easy to feel like nothing is happening, but God is always active. Behind the scenes, God is orchestrating events, helping you grow in holiness, and preparing you for the blessings he has in store for you. God’s timing often requires patience because he sees the bigger picture that you can’t see. So, trust that God knows what’s really best for you, and that God’s delays are for the purpose of preparing you for what’s best.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds you: “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.” Remember that God’s best often comes after a period of waiting. The process is as much a blessing as the outcome because it teaches you to depend on God fully. When the waiting is over, and God’s plans unfold, you’ll find yourself not only grateful for the blessing but also strengthened by the journey. So, instead of focusing on what hasn’t happened yet, use this time to draw closer to God. Waiting isn’t wasted when you use it to grow spiritually. Hold on to God’s promises, stay focused on God’s work in your life, and let the waiting draw you closer to God and help you fulfill God’s purposes for your life. 

In conclusion, trusting in God’s timing is a journey of faith that can help you enjoy a closer relationship with God. As you rest in God’s sovereignty, lean on God’s promises, develop more patience through prayer, pursue awe-inspiring experiences, and expect the best, you’ll find peace and confidence because you’ll connect with God in deeper ways. God’s timing is always worth trusting!

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