Boundless Daily: Day 34 - Trusting the Process

We live in a world that hates to wait.

We have high-speed internet, instant deliveries, and microwave meals. If a webpage takes more than three seconds to load, we start to feel that itch of impatience. We want what we want, and we want it right now.

But faith doesn’t usually work on a high-speed fiber-optic connection.

If you’ve been following along with us at Boundless Online Church, you know that our journey of faith is rarely a straight line. It’s a process. And today, on Day 34 of our Boundless Daily series, we are leaning into one of the hardest lessons any believer has to learn: Trusting the process when God’s timing doesn’t match ours.

The Tension of the "Not Yet"

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a divine waiting room?

Maybe you’re praying for a job. Maybe you’re waiting for a relationship to mend. Or perhaps you’re a caregiver working the late shift, wondering when your own season of rest will finally arrive.

We often view waiting as "wasted time." We think that if nothing is happening on the surface, then nothing is happening at all. But in the Kingdom of God, the waiting room is actually a workroom.

God is never early, and He is never late. He is always exactly on time. The problem is that His calendar and our calendars rarely use the same time zone.

A cinematic view of a wide river flowing steadily through a deep, green valley, illustrating the steady and unhurried pace of God’s providence.

The River and the Valley

Think about a river flowing through a valley.

The river doesn't panic because it hasn't reached the ocean yet. It doesn't try to leap over the mountains or skip the bends in the path. It simply flows. It trusts the gravity that pulls it and the banks that guide it.

The river knows that the process of flowing is what carves the valley. Without the steady, patient movement of the water over thousands of years, the canyon wouldn't exist. The beauty is created by the process, not just at the end of it.

In the same way, God uses the "middle" of our stories to shape our character. In the Assemblies of God tradition, we believe in the Sanctifying Power of the Holy Spirit. This isn't an overnight transformation. It’s a process where we are gradually made more like Jesus.

If God gave us everything we asked for the moment we asked for it, we would never grow. We would be spiritual toddlers, never learning the endurance, patience, and deep-rooted trust that only comes through the "not yet" seasons of life.

Why Does God Make Us Wait?

It’s a question we all ask. If God is all-powerful and all-loving, why doesn't He just fix it now?

1. He is preparing the blessing. Sometimes the thing we are asking for isn't ready for us yet. Or perhaps the circumstances around the situation need to be moved into place.

2. He is preparing us for the blessing. This is often the harder truth to swallow. If God gave you the "big thing" today, would you have the character to sustain it? Waiting builds the "spiritual muscles" required to carry the weight of what’s coming next.

3. He is protecting us. We only see a small part of the map. God sees the whole thing. Sometimes a "delay" is actually a redirection away from a pitfall we didn't even know was there.

If you're feeling stuck, take a moment to breathe. Reflect on the truth that God’s silence is not His absence. He is working behind the scenes, even when the stage seems dark.

A Scriptural Foundation for the Process

One of our core beliefs at Boundless is the authority of God’s Word. When we look at Scripture, we see that almost every major hero of the faith had to "trust the process."

• Abraham waited 25 years for the promise of a son.

• Joseph spent years in a dungeon for a crime he didn't commit before becoming second in command of Egypt.

• David was anointed king as a teenager but spent years running for his life in the wilderness before he ever sat on the throne.

Isaiah 40:31 tells us: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Notice the progression there. It doesn't say those who "get what they want" get strength. It says those who wait. There is a specific kind of strength that is only available to the waiter.

A close-up of a small green seedling pushing through dark, rich soil, symbolizing growth that happens beneath the surface.

The Global Perspective: Faith in the Shift

At Boundless Online Church, we serve a global community. We know that many of you are reading this in places where life feels anything but "stable."

You might be a nurse finishing a 12-hour shift, a student in a country where it's hard to be a Christian, or someone dealing with a chronic illness that makes every day feel like a marathon.

Trusting the process looks different for everyone. For some, it’s the courage to keep praying when you feel exhausted. For others, it’s the discipline to stay in the Word even when you don't feel "inspired."

If you’re looking for a way to stay grounded during these seasons, I highly recommend checking out our Connected Faith Podcast. We talk a lot about how to keep your eyes on Jesus when the world feels chaotic. It's a great companion for those quiet moments of waiting.

AG Doctrine: The Blessed Hope

In our 16 Fundamental Truths, we talk about "The Blessed Hope." This refers to the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord.

This is the ultimate exercise in trusting the process. We are waiting for the return of Christ. We don't know the day or the hour. To the world, it looks like a delay. But to the believer, it is a period of grace: an opportunity for more people to meet Jesus.

If we can trust God with the timing of the end of the world, surely we can trust Him with the timing of our next steps.

A person sitting quietly on a park bench during a soft sunrise, looking peaceful and reflective.

Practical Steps While You Wait

So, what do you do while you’re waiting? How do you actually "trust the process" on a Tuesday afternoon when you’re stressed?

1. Audit Your Heart: Are you frustrated with God, or just frustrated with the timeline? It's okay to tell God how you feel. He can handle your honesty.

2. Look for Small Wins: What is God teaching you today? Don't miss the daily manna because you're too focused on the promised land.

3. Stay Connected: Isolation is the enemy of trust. When we are alone, our doubts get louder. Join us for Sunday Live Worship or engage with our community online.

4. Practice Gratitude: It’s hard to be anxious and grateful at the same time. Write down three things you are thankful for today, even if they are small.

Let’s Grow Together

If you are new to this journey, or if you've been "waiting" for so long that you're starting to lose heart, we want you to know that you aren't alone. You don't have to figure it all out today.

At Boundless, we are here to help you navigate these questions. If you’re just starting to explore what faith looks like, visit our I’m New page. We’d love to help you find your footing.

Remember, the process isn't a hurdle to get over so you can get to the "real" life. The process is your life. And God is in every single second of it.

He is the master craftsman. He knows exactly what He is building in you. Trust the hand that holds the chisel. Trust the heart that loves you beyond measure. Trust the process.

An hourglass with sand flowing through it, but the light is shining through the glass, making the sand look like gold.

Do you have questions about how to find peace in the waiting? Are you struggling to see God's hand in your current situation? We would love to hear from you. Reach out through our website or join the conversation in our community groups.

We are a global family, and we grow better when we grow together.

Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.

Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.