Learning to Trust God in the Waiting
(Caregiving, Motherhood, Homesteading, and the Sacred Work of Becoming)
The Prayer We’re Afraid to Pray
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “Lord, give me patience”—and immediately wanted to take it back?
I once had a friend gently warn me, “Never ask God for more patience. He’ll show you just how much you already have.” At the time, I laughed. Later, as life unfolded, I understood exactly what she meant.
Because patience isn’t usually delivered neatly wrapped with a bow.
It comes disguised as:
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Another sleepless night with an aging parent
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A child testing every boundary you set
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A sick animal when chores are already overwhelming
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A season where progress feels painfully slow
If you are a caregiver, mom, pet mom, homesteader, or woman carrying unseen responsibility, patience isn’t optional—it’s required. And yet, it’s one of the hardest virtues to live out day after day.
In this post, we’re going to talk honestly about patience:
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What it really is (and what it isn’t)
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Why God develops it through seasons we wouldn’t choose
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How patience becomes holy ground when we surrender control
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And how to remain rooted when waiting feels endless
This isn’t a lecture. It’s an invitation—to breathe, to reframe, and to trust God in the middle of the slow work.
Patience Is Not Passive—It’s Active Faith
We often mistake patience for weakness, silence, or inaction. Biblically, patience is none of those things.
Patience is active trust.
Scripture repeatedly connects patience to endurance, character, and hope—not resignation.
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
— James 1:4
The Biblical Meaning of Patience
In Scripture, patience is often translated from words meaning:
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Long-suffering
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Steadfastness
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Endurance under pressure
Patience is choosing faith again when nothing has changed yet.
For caregivers and homesteaders especially, patience shows up in:
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Repeating the same tasks with no applause
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Loving people who may not thank you
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Investing in growth you won’t see immediately
This is not wasted time. It is formative time.
Why God Develops Patience Through Pressure
God rarely teaches patience through comfort.
He teaches it through responsibility, repetition, and restraint.
Pressure Reveals What We Rely On
When life is easy, we rely on ourselves.
When life is slow or hard, God reveals our dependence.
Caregiving strips away illusions of control.
Homesteading humbles timelines.
Motherhood stretches emotional capacity.
Each role gently (and sometimes painfully) asks:
Do you trust Me here, too?
The Waiting Is Where the Work Happens
We often pray for the outcome:
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Healing
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Change
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Breakthrough
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Relief
But God focuses on the formation.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… He is patient with you.”
— 2 Peter 3:9
Sometimes patience isn’t about waiting for something to end—it’s about allowing God to grow something within us.
Patience in Caregiving: Loving Without a Finish Line
Caregiving is one of the purest classrooms for patience.
There is no clear timeline.
No guarantee of improvement.
Often no recognition.
The Grief of Ongoing Responsibility
Caregiving carries a quiet grief:
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Grieving who your loved one used to be
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Grieving the life you thought you’d have
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Grieving your own exhaustion
Patience here doesn’t mean pretending it’s easy.
It means staying present even when it’s painful.
“Love is patient, love is kind…”
— 1 Corinthians 13:4
This kind of love is costly—and deeply sacred.
God Sees What No One Else Sees
Even when no one applauds:
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God sees the meals prepared
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The medications managed
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The compassion extended
Nothing done in love is unseen by Him.
Homesteading, Motherhood, and God’s Slow Kingdom
The rhythms of home and land teach patience whether we want them to or not.
Seeds do not rush.
Children grow on God’s timeline.
Animals require consistency, not convenience.
Slow Does Not Mean Stagnant
God often works slowly—but never wastefully.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
— Zechariah 4:10
Daily faithfulness compounds over time.
You are building more than meals, routines, and systems—you are building legacy.
Patience Is How We Partner With God
When we rush, we resist. When we wait, we cooperate.
Patience aligns us with God’s pace instead of our panic.
When You’re Tempted to Pray for Patience Again
If you’re afraid to pray for patience, you’re not alone.
But here’s the truth: God already knows how much you have—and how much more He wants to grow.
A Better Prayer
Instead of:
“Lord, give me patience…”
Try:
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“Lord, help me trust You in this moment.”
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“Lord, help me stay present.”
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“Lord, strengthen me for today.”
Grace is given daily, not all at once.
Final Word of Encouragement
Patience is not proof that you are weak—it is evidence that God is at work.
If your life feels slow, heavy, or repetitive, you are not behind. You are being formed.
The waiting is not punishment. The pressure is not pointless. And the work you’re doing matters deeply to God.
If this post encouraged you, share it with a fellow caregiver or mom, leave a comment with the season you’re walking through, and/or bookmark it for the days patience feels thin.
You are not alone—and you are doing holy work.
Lord,
Teach us to trust You in the waiting.
Strengthen us when patience feels thin.
Help us see our daily faithfulness as sacred.
Give us grace for today, and hope for tomorrow.
Amen.
Dig Deeper, Save & Share
If this message stirred something in your heart—if you found yourself nodding, exhaling, or whispering “Lord, that’s me”—this is your invitation to slow down and go deeper.
Patience isn’t just something we practice in our daily lives; it’s something God forms within us through His Word. The seasons that stretch us the most are often the ones where Scripture becomes not just something we read, but something we cling to.
You don’t need more patience—you need more grace for today. And God is faithful to meet you right where you are.
When you’re ready, take a deep breath, open your Bible, and join me as we dig deeper together.
Bible Study & Devotional: Patience—Trusting God in the Slow Work
