The Way

Waiting in Life Seasons

Draft, under review

For everyone · Tell us where you are

  1. How do I wait for a spouse or family?

    Scripture does not promise that every believer will marry or have children, and this page won't promise that either. It does promise that God is good, that He hears you, and that your life is not on hold while you wait. Hannah poured out her longing honestly (1 Sam 1:15). Paul learned contentment in Christ in every circumstance (Phil 4:11-13), and he calls singleness a real gift and a season of undivided devotion (1 Cor 7:32-35). Delighting in the Lord (Ps 37:4) means He becomes your greatest desire and shapes your other desires too. It is not a formula for getting them. Keep hoping and praying, and hold that hope with open hands. God gives the lonely a home (Ps 68:6), and that includes His family, the church.

    • Ps 37:4–7

      4Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will do it. 6He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun. Keep reading

    • 1 Sam 1:9–20

      9So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears. 11And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.” Keep reading

    • Phil 4:11–13

      11I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. 12I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. 13I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

    • 1 Cor 7:32–35

      32I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord. 33But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, 34and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband. Keep reading

    • Ps 68:6

      6God settles the lonely in families; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

  2. How do I wait on direction or calling?

    • Prov 16:9

      9A man’s heart plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

    • Ps 32:8

      8I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.

    • Jas 1:5

      5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

  3. How do I wait for healing?

    • 2 Cor 4:16–18

      16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

    • Ps 30:1–5

      1A Psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me. 2O Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. 3O Lord, You pulled me up from Sheol; You spared me from descending into the Pit. Keep reading

    • Jas 5:13–16

      13Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Keep reading