3 Lies Christians Believe About God’s Timing

by Pat Webber, Freelance Writer

“He’s late. He forgot me. It’s never going to happen.” Sound familiar?

It’s a feeling we all know too well—the clock ticks on, but God doesn’t seem to be moving at the pace we expect. The struggle with God's timing is real, especially when we find ourselves waiting, hoping, and wondering why things aren’t unfolding according to our plan. But what if some of the thoughts we have about His timing aren’t true at all? Let’s expose three common lies that we believe—and the freeing truth that brings peace to the wait.

Lie #1: “God is too slow.”

We’ve all heard the story of Sarah and Abraham. Sarah waited for years, growing older and older, with no sign of the promised child. She probably wondered, “Is God really going to come through? Is He too slow?” And in her impatience, she tried to take matters into her own hands, even offering her maidservant Hagar to Abraham. But God’s timing was perfect. Isaac was born just as God promised—when Sarah was well past the age of childbearing. It wasn’t slow—it was perfect timing. God didn’t need Sarah’s help, He just needed her to trust Him.

Like Sarah, we sometimes try to rush things, pushing God’s hand in the hopes that He’ll act faster. But His delays aren’t denials. They’re opportunities for us to learn trust and patience, as He prepares us for what’s ahead. God sees the bigger picture, while we often only see the next step.

Lie #2: “God forgot about me.”

Consider the story of Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and spent years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. It must have felt like God had completely forgotten about him. How many nights did Joseph lay awake, questioning God’s faithfulness? But God never forgot Joseph. In the darkest moments, God was preparing him for a position of influence in Egypt. Through the waiting, Joseph grew in wisdom and character, and in the end, he was able to save nations from famine.

In our own lives, when we feel forgotten, we might be in a season of preparation. God’s silence doesn’t mean His absence. Just as Joseph’s dreams were realized after years of waiting, so too will our own dreams unfold in the right time.

Lie #3: “It’s never going to happen.”

Let’s take a look at the story of the Israelites wandering in the desert. After being freed from Egypt, they were promised the land of Canaan—a land flowing with milk and honey. But they spent 40 years in the wilderness, facing hardships, doubts, and disappointments. Some likely thought, “This is never going to happen. We’ll never see the promise.” Yet, God remained faithful to His word. He eventually brought them into the land He had promised, even though it took far longer than they anticipated. It was a season of testing, of building trust and reliance on God.

Sometimes we feel that what we’ve prayed for will never come to pass. But when God promises something, He delivers—even if it takes longer than we expect. The waiting is not a sign of God’s failure, but rather a preparation for something far greater than we can imagine.

The Truth: God’s Timing is Always Best

Waiting on God isn’t easy, but the truth is, His timing is always better than ours. Think of the farmer who plants seeds in the spring, patiently waiting for the harvest. He doesn’t rush the process, knowing the right conditions must be met for a bountiful crop. Similarly, God is working behind the scenes in ways we can’t see, orchestrating everything for our good. We may feel stuck, but trust that God is at work, aligning everything perfectly for what’s to come. When it’s time, He will make it happen.

As we wait, we can trust that God is never late—His delays are not denials, His silence is not abandonment, and His promises are always fulfilled, even when it seems impossible.

Reflection Questions:

What are some areas in my life where I’ve struggled with God’s timing?
How can I reframe my perspective and trust in God's perfect plan for my life?
What is one truth about God's faithfulness I can hold onto during a season of waiting?

Suggested Scriptures:

Genesis 21:1-3 – God’s perfect timing for Isaac’s birth
Genesis 50:20 – Joseph’s journey from betrayal to blessing
Exodus 3:8 – God’s promise to deliver His people from Egypt
Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the Lord, and He will strengthen you
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – There is a time for everything under heaven