Growing Through Waiting

In episode 20 of WordFed Life, Verlene Cromwell explores the concept of growing through waiting by understanding it as a season of development rather than delay. Anchored in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint," this episode reveals a powerful truth about waiting: it is not wasted time, but a time of renewal and growth. Waiting is inevitable in life. Waiting for answers, direction, opportunities, or breakthroughs is something we all experience. But what if waiting is actually a growing season? Our key scripture highlights that while we wait, strength is renewed. Faith is developed. Trust deepens. Roots grow. Consider a seed planted in the ground. Though unseen, life is developing beneath the soil. The invisible work precedes the visible evidence. Often, this is what God is doing within us. We might perceive nothing happening, but God sees growth. We see delay, but God sees development. We see waiting, but God sees preparation. Never judge God's activity solely by what is visible. He develops us in the waiting. Sometimes, while we wait for God to change our circumstances, He is changing us. The Bible is filled with examples: - Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the promise of Isaac. - Moses spent 40 years in Midian before leading Israel. - The Israelites wandered for 40 years, teaching us that waiting and wandering are not the same. - David was anointed king long before he took the throne. - Hannah's waiting birthed a prophet. - Job's story ended with restoration. - Jesus honored the Father's timing, waiting 30 years before his ministry. These stories show that waiting reveals where our trust lies. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, not leaning on our understanding. Waiting doesn't mean inactivity. While we wait, we can: - Pray - Prepare - Serve - Learn - Grow Don't let waiting steal today’s purpose. Comparison can whisper doubts, but remember, someone else's harvest does not negate your seed. Isaiah 40:31 assures us that waiting renews our strength. Like eagles, we can use resistance to rise. You may find that waiting taught patience, dependence, and strength. What seemed like silence taught listening. Ultimately, waiting becomes growth. As we conclude, remember the progression: God plants us, pressure strengthens us, waiting develops us, and in due season, fruit appears. So, if you are in a waiting season today, don't be discouraged. God hasn't forgotten you. Instead of saying only, "I am waiting on God," begin declaring, "I am growing while I wait." "While I wait, I will trust. While I wait, I will grow. While I wait, I will worship. While I wait, I will remain faithful because the God who planted the seed in me already knows what the finished bloom looks like." Waiting is not wasted time when God is growing you through it. Welcome to WordFed Life — where words come alive.