In heated moments, when we’re tempted to make rash decisions, David’s words in Psalm 27:14 encourage us to be courageous and still as we wait for the Lord. It may seem a little counter-intuitive to think about needing the strength to do nothing. But in the act of waiting, we need not fear being out of control.

When God says, “Wait,” we can trust Him to take the lead. Then, the steps in moving forward are directed by His plan and not our own. The best outcome is not always the one we had hoped for. And that’s the reason we need courage. It can be frightening to trust our futures to someone other than ourselves, even if that someone is God. So, at its core, waiting is not so much about the timing of the thing we’re waiting for as it is about our willingness to yield to the Lord.

Waiting for the Lord is a good old-fashioned test of faith. Choosing to trust when there’s no evidence that anything is happening takes great inner strength. So, when we’ve been put on pause, we must forget our personal timetables and pray for the strength and courage needed to trust the Lord…and wait.