Be Honest: Are You Really Waiting On God or Procrastinating?
As Christian women, we’ve all been there. We have a dream, a desire, and a clear sense of purpose that God has placed on our hearts. But when it comes time to actually step out and make it happen, we find ourselves stuck—paralyzed by fear, doubt, and a million reasons why now is not the right time.
And so we tell ourselves, and anyone who will listen, that we’re “waiting on God.” We claim to be in a posture of patient trust, confidently resting in His perfect timing. But if we’re honest, is that really what’s going on?
The uncomfortable truth is that we often use “waiting on God” as a convenient excuse to avoid the discomfort of change and the risks required to step into the fullness of our calling. Under the guise of spiritual maturity, we are just feeding our addiction to the familiar and our fear of the unknown.
So many Christian women fall into this subtle yet deceptive trap. We want the rewards of the promised land, but we’re unwilling to leave the comfort of the wilderness. We long for the breakthrough, but we’re terrified to take the leap of faith.
And the longer we indulge this pattern, the harder it becomes to distinguish true divine delay from our own procrastination. We begin to confuse our own reluctance with God’s timing, our fear with His plan. Before long, years have passed, and we find ourselves in the same place we started – stuck, stagnant, and questioning whether we ever heard from God at all.
So how do we know if we’re truly waiting on the Lord or simply using that as a cover for our own hesitation and avoidance? Here are a few telltale signs to examine:
Lack of Intentional Preparation
If you find yourself constantly putting off the necessary steps to pursue your goals-whether that’s getting the proper training, saving up the required funds, or networking to make connections – that may be a sign that you’re using “waiting on God” as an excuse not to do the hard work.
Waiting on the Lord doesn’t mean complete inaction; it means positioning yourself to move forward when He opens the door. If you’re not actively taking steps to get ready, you may just be procrastinating.
Overreliance on Signs and Confirmations
It’s good to seek God’s direction and look for His confirmations. But if you constantly ask for miraculous signs before you take any action, you may be procrastinating under the guise of waiting for a green light that may never come in the way you expect.
Sometimes God calls us to step out in faith before we have all the answers. He honors our obedience, even when the path forward is unclear. If you find yourself paralyzed, constantly looking for the perfect set of circumstances before you move, that’s a red flag.
Lack of Forward Movement
If you find yourself in the same place year after year, with little to no progress towards your goals, that may be an indication that you’re stuck in a holding pattern of procrastination rather than truly waiting on God’s timing.
Waiting on the Lord doesn’t mean stagnation; it means trusting Him to open doors and make a way, even when we can’t see it. If your life looks the same today as it did five years ago, it may be time to do some honest self-examination.
Fear of the Unknown
Are you afraid to step out of your comfort zone because the unknown seems too scary? Many of us cling to the familiar, even if it’s not serving us, because the alternative feels too risky. But God doesn’t call us to a life of safety and ease – He calls us to trust Him even when the path forward is unclear.
If fear is the primary driver behind your hesitation, you may need to do some deeper work to uproot the lies you believe and replace them with faith in God’s perfect plan.
The truth is that God honors our faith and actions, not just our willingness to wait. He may be calling you to step out before you have all the answers, to take a risk in pursuit of your purpose. Waiting is important, but so is the courage to move forward when He prompts you.
So ask yourself – are you truly waiting on the Lord, or are you allowing fear and procrastination to keep you from the life He has for you? It’s time to get honest, take inventory of where you’re at, and determine what steps of faith you need to take next. The rewards on the other side of your obedience will be worth it.
Don’t let comfort masquerade as calling. It’s time to stop making excuses and start making moves. The world is waiting for you to step into the fullness of who God has created you to be.
