In Waiting Seasons: Gratitude in the In-Between

The Practice of Gratitude Day 4

Waiting is rarely easy. Whether it’s waiting for a job, healing, clarity, or a long-hoped-for answer, the in-between can feel like a desert stretching on with no end in sight. But God often does His best work in us during these waiting seasons, using them to shape us and build our trust in His timing.

In Psalm 27:14, David writes, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” David’s life was marked by waiting—waiting to be king, waiting for deliverance, and waiting on God’s promises. His story reminds us that while we may be eager for the “what,” God is working on the “who” He wants us to become.

Waiting can feel frustrating because it challenges our sense of control. But God uses these seasons to show us that He’s the One in control, not us. Think of Abraham, who waited decades for the promise of a child; or Moses, who waited forty years in the wilderness. Their waiting was not wasted. In those years, God was not only preparing the promises but preparing them to receive the promises. Our culture’s motto is “don’t just stand there, do something!” but sometimes, God calls us to “don’t just do something, stand there,” all while resting in His timing.

During seasons of waiting, gratitude is like an anchor. When we thank God for what He’s doing behind the scenes, we begin to see waiting as part of His good plan, not a pointless delay. Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” Even when the wait feels long, we can trust that He’s working every detail for our ultimate good.

Here’s a challenge: rather than rushing to the end of your waiting season, practice gratitude for what it’s teaching you. Maybe you’re learning patience, or discovering new depths of God’s faithfulness. Write down one thing you’re grateful for in this time, even if it’s as simple as, “God, thank You for the strength to wait.”

Waiting is not passive; it’s an active trust in God’s character. When we embrace gratitude in the in-between, we align ourselves with His timing and let go of our own. And, as we look back later, we’ll see that every waiting season was filled with purpose.

Today, let’s choose to be grateful—not just for what’s coming, but for what God is doing right now. Each moment of waiting brings us closer to Him, teaching us that our greatest satisfaction is not in the answered prayer, but in the One who holds every answer.