What does it look like to trust God in the season of waiting?

When God Says "Wait"

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" — Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

A Message for the Waiting Heart

This is for every single woman, mother, wife, young professional, or sister in faith who has ever whispered, “Lord, how much longer?” Waiting isn’t easy, especially in a world that rewards speed, instant gratification, and quick results. But there’s a beauty in tarrying—staying, seeking, and trusting even when nothing seems to be happening. This post is written straight from the heart, drawn from my personal journey of waiting, stumbling, growing, and trusting again. If you're in a season of waiting, know this: you are not alone.

We minister to singles, young professionals, and young couples here in Cambodia. And one of the most common questions we hear is: “Why is God making me wait?” Or sometimes, “What if I miss out?” In our fast-paced culture—driven by likes, shares, and validation from people—it’s hard to see the value in slowing down, let alone in tarrying. But maybe, just maybe, waiting is exactly what our hearts need.

My Story: When Waiting Wasn't Easy

I still remember the days when I was a single woman, serving in the church and praying for God's will. Deep inside, I longed for companionship. I thought I trusted God, but I often tried to take matters into my own hands. Yes, I prayed. Yes, I fasted. But truthfully, many times I made decisions based on what I felt, not what God had clearly shown me. I tried to convince myself that God would understand if I made compromises. Looking back, those were moments of half-hearted obedience.

There were consequences. Pain. Confusion. Regret. But by God's mercy, there was also repentance. And in the stillness, God's voice broke through: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

I also struggled with peer pressure. What would people think if I didn’t make a move? If I didn’t do what everyone else was doing? I feared being left behind. My emotions deceived me, and I didn’t have the discernment I needed. My decisions were more about what made me happy, and less about what made me holy.

But God didn’t give up on me.

He patiently worked on my heart, shaping my character through the waiting. Eventually, he led me to Cambodia as a missionary. It took years. And yes, I’m still learning. But through it all, I’m learning the importance of waiting well.

Why Waiting Is Hard for This Generation?

Today’s generation values instant results. We want answers now. We want success fast. We’re bombarded with updates, trends, and stories of people “making it.” And so when God calls us to wait, it feels like we’re falling behind.

In Cambodia, culture also adds to the pressure. For women, especially, there’s a silent timeline set by society. If you’re not married by a certain age, questions arise. If you don’t have a stable career yet, you feel left behind.

And so, many singles both men and women, struggle. They feel stuck. They start to question God’s plan. Some even walk away from their faith because waiting feels like a punishment.

But waiting isn’t a punishment. It’s a preparation.

God is not withholding something from you. He is forming something within you.

What Does "Tarrying" Mean?

In the Bible, "tarrying" means staying, remaining, abiding. It’s choosing to stay in God's presence even when there’s no visible result. It’s being still while the world rushes past. It’s trusting that God is doing something even when you can't see it.

Waiting on the Lord requires patience, self-control, and surrender. It doesn’t mean doing nothing, it means doing the right things in the meantime. When I was a single woman, I did my best to reflect on what I should do in the meantime during my tarrying season. I tell you many pruning happened to me, and by God's grace, I am still growing now that I am married:

• Growing in your faith

• Serving others

• Developing your character

• Listening for His voice

It’s hard, yes. But it’s not wasted.

How Singleness Exposes Our Need for Control?

One thing I learned: singleness brings to the surface things we never thought were there. Control issues. Fear. Insecurity. Comparison. We want a clear path. We want answers. We want to be certain.

But God invites us to trust Him, not to control the outcome.

Singleness reveals how often we rely on our own timing, our own plans. But it also becomes the place where we can learn to trust God's heart.

When fear creeps in, we must go back to His promises.

When frustration builds up, we must choose to pray instead of panic.

When control wants to take over, we must surrender again.

Practical Ways to Wait Well

I praise God that even up until today, these practical ways still matter and are relevant to my walk with the Lord in the area of tarrying. I hope to be able to share it with you as well:

1. Start the day with God. Spend at least 15-30 minutes each morning reading the Bible and praying. Ask God for peace and direction. Be intentional and commit to it. Read my previous post here on 👉 Daily Goals here

2. Surround yourself with the right voices. Avoid advice that pulls you away from God's truth. Stay in fellowship. God uses people to send his message and affirm His will through them. Pray for mentors or friends in the faith community that will help lead you to grow in faith. In my case, I'm grateful for sisters in Christ and disciplers during my single days. Now, I have my husband.

3. Write down your prayers. Journaling helps you look back and see how God answered in His perfect time. Just a simple notebook would do. I encourage you to make it a habit. Consistency is the key 👍

4. Serve others. Don’t let waiting paralyze you. Use this time to bless others. I'm thankful for our church who are promoting mission trips. I was able to join tribals mission trips during those times organized by our church and by the mission programs that I joined. These trips helped develop my character to be more compassionate and affirmed my calling as a missionary.

5. Set goals. Develop your skills. Take care of your health. Work on your personal growth. This is the time to invest in new skills.

6. Be honest with God. Share your heart. Cry if you must. But always go back to trusting Him. Seek God's calling for you. Allow Him to work in you and be humble for any pruning.

Tarrying in the Real World

I disciple a Filipina woman who works in a garment factory in Kandal province. We mostly connect online. Every morning, I share my devotional with Sheryl, which also helps me stay faithful in my own quiet time. We pray together when we can. And one of our recurring topics is tarrying.

She’s waiting too—on many things. Her career, her next step, even her future family. It’s not easy. But through our journey together, we are reminded again and again: waiting is not empty when God is in it.

Another woman, Theara—a young Khmer woman who attends our church—is about to move back to Kampot province after losing her job due to economic cuts in the NGO sector. She’s been looking for work, and recently a teaching job opened up. We’ve been praying she finds peace and direction in this new season. I hope to be able to have the chance to disciple her even from afar. 

with my sweet sister Theara

A Simple Prayer

Lord, 

Help me to wait with faith, not fear. Teach me to trust You, even when it’s hard. Shape my heart while I wait. Protect me from rushing ahead. 

Keep me in Your peace. Remind me that You are never late, never early, but always right on time. In Jesus name. Amen.

Encouragement for You

If you're in a waiting season, know that God sees you. He is not far. You are not forgotten. Don’t waste your waiting. Let it deepen your trust, sharpen your focus, and draw you closer to Him.

One day, you’ll look back and thank God not just for what He gave—but for what He taught you while you tarried.

You are not falling behind. You are being prepared. 

Tarrying with you, 

Tess 💕😍🙏