Waiting is one of the hardest spiritual disciplines most of us will ever face.
It’s the season where you’re praying, but heaven feels quiet.
You’re showing up, but nothing seems to change.
You’re believing God, yet the timeline keeps stretching.
Waiting tests your faith, your identity, and your trust in God’s goodness. It’s easy to worship when prayers are answered and doors are opening—but it’s far harder to worship when all you hear is silence.
Scripture gives us a powerful example of how to wait well through the story of Hannah. Her life teaches us that waiting does not mean God is absent.
In fact, waiting is often the very place where God is doing His deepest work.
Understand That Waiting Is Often Painful—and That’s Biblical
Hannah’s waiting was not quiet or pretty. It was public, humiliating, and deeply painful.
“And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.” (1 Samuel 1:6–7)
Scripture emphasizes year by year. This was not a short delay—it was a prolonged season.
Throughout the Bible, we see this same pattern:
- Sarah waited 25 years for Isaac.
- Elizabeth waited until old age.
- Joseph waited in prison.
- David waited years after being anointed king.
Delayed answers do not mean divine punishment. Often, waiting is where God is forming something new.
2. Show Up to God Even When It Hurts
Hannah kept going to the house of the Lord—even though it reminded her of what she lacked.
Waiting well means refusing to withdraw from God when His presence feels painful. Sometimes church, prayer, or Scripture feels like a mirror reflecting unmet longing. But Hannah teaches us that breakthrough often comes in the very place of pain.
Just as the woman with the issue of blood showed up in public despite her shame, Hannah showed up in God’s presence despite her grief.
If you keep running from God, He cannot help you, but if you keep showing up, even with tears, you are positioning yourself for healing.
3. Pour Out Your Heart Honestly in Prayer
Hannah did not pray polished prayers. She prayed poured-out prayers.
“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, ‘O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me…’” (1 Samuel 1:10–11).
Later, Scripture tells us her lips moved but her voice was not heard.
There comes a point in waiting when words run out, but God still hears your heart.
God is not moved by perfect prayers. He is moved by honest ones.
Fight Against Bitterness
Hannah had every reason to become bitter, but she did not allow bitterness to settle.
“She was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:10).
Notice the difference: she brought her bitterness to God instead of letting it poison her spirit.
Bitterness will blind you to God’s presence. But surrender invites healing.
Anything you hold inside cannot heal, but anything you hand to God can.
Stay Faithful to God
Hannah was misunderstood at her lowest moment—even by the priest.
“So it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth… Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.” (1 Samuel 1:12–13)
She was falsely accused—but she remained humble, explained herself, and stayed anchored to God.
“Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” (1 Samuel 1:16)
Waiting well means refusing to let flawed people drive you away from a perfect God.
Receive the Promise Before You See the Answer
After Eli blessed Hannah, nothing changed externally—but everything changed internally.
“Then Eli answered and said, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.’ And she said, ‘Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.’ So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (1 Samuel 1:17–18).
Faith shifted her posture before her circumstances shifted.
Waiting well means learning to live as though God has already heard you, because He has.
Obey God When the Answer Finally Comes
Hannah made a vow in her pain—and she kept it in her blessing.
“Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her… and brought the child to Eli. And she said, ‘For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.’” (1 Samuel 1:24–27)
She released the very miracle she waited years to receive.
This is the mark of true surrender.
What you surrender to God never disappears—it multiplies into legacy.
Thank God With Songs of Praise
The woman who once prayed silently eventually sang boldly.
“And Hannah prayed and said: ‘My heart rejoices in the LORD… There is none holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You.’” (1 Samuel 2:1–2)
Waiting transformed her.
The woman who wept now worshiped.
The woman who waited now testified.
God does not waste silent seasons—He turns them into stories of praise.
Final Encouragement
Waiting is worship—and the God who heard Hannah hears you.
So, this week:
- Wait with open hands, not clenched fists
- Show up even when it hurts
- Pour out your heart honestly
- Live like you trust God before anything changes
- Wait with expectation, not resignation
- Wait with community, not isolation
- Wait with a sacrifice ready
“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).
Want to Go Deeper?
This message comes from Episode 2 of The Bible Made Real With Kathy Podcast: “How to Wait Well: Faith and Prayer in Silent Seasons.”
You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to Kathy’s email list for free Bible study tools and weekly devotionals.
