When God Puts You on Hold
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" - Psalm 27:14
Is there anything more frustrating than being put on hold? Whether you’re dealing with a customer service agent or trying to get through to a bank teller, those words—"please hold"—can get under your skin. You’re looking for a solution, and the last thing you need is for someone to pause your plans. Waiting can test your patience and even make you question whether what you’re waiting for is really worth it.
It’s one thing when you’re put on hold in life’s daily tasks, but what about when it feels like God Himself has put you on hold? You’ve been praying, asking, and seeking Him to open doors, provide answers, or deliver a breakthrough. And yet, it feels like you’re just waiting—waiting for the situation to change, waiting for healing, waiting for peace. The longer you wait, the more tempting it becomes to hang up, to give up on the very thing you’ve been praying for.
In his book “When God Puts You on Hold”, Bill Austin poses a powerful question: What do you do when God puts your prayers on hold? He points out that this waiting period can stir up something he calls "interim anxiety," that uncomfortable tension between your current struggle and the future promise of what’s to come. It's that in-between time where you’re stuck waiting for God to move, and it feels like everything is just...paused.
Maybe you’re there right now. You’ve been waiting so long for a change that you’re on the verge of giving up, on a dream, a relationship, or even on God’s ability to come through. But here’s the encouragement for you today: Don’t hang up. Austin’s reminder is powerful. Whatever you’re waiting for, keep holding on. God’s timing may not look like ours, but His delays are never without purpose.
When you’re in that season of waiting, know that God sees you, hears you, and is working behind the scenes. Just because you’re on hold doesn’t mean the line is disconnected. Keep trusting, keep praying, and keep believing that what you’re waiting for is still on its way. Don’t hang up, God is working, even in the waiting.
Is there anything more frustrating than being put on hold? Whether you’re dealing with a customer service agent or trying to get through to a bank teller, those words—"please hold"—can get under your skin. You’re looking for a solution, and the last thing you need is for someone to pause your plans. Waiting can test your patience and even make you question whether what you’re waiting for is really worth it.
It’s one thing when you’re put on hold in life’s daily tasks, but what about when it feels like God Himself has put you on hold? You’ve been praying, asking, and seeking Him to open doors, provide answers, or deliver a breakthrough. And yet, it feels like you’re just waiting—waiting for the situation to change, waiting for healing, waiting for peace. The longer you wait, the more tempting it becomes to hang up, to give up on the very thing you’ve been praying for.
In his book “When God Puts You on Hold”, Bill Austin poses a powerful question: What do you do when God puts your prayers on hold? He points out that this waiting period can stir up something he calls "interim anxiety," that uncomfortable tension between your current struggle and the future promise of what’s to come. It's that in-between time where you’re stuck waiting for God to move, and it feels like everything is just...paused.
Maybe you’re there right now. You’ve been waiting so long for a change that you’re on the verge of giving up, on a dream, a relationship, or even on God’s ability to come through. But here’s the encouragement for you today: Don’t hang up. Austin’s reminder is powerful. Whatever you’re waiting for, keep holding on. God’s timing may not look like ours, but His delays are never without purpose.
When you’re in that season of waiting, know that God sees you, hears you, and is working behind the scenes. Just because you’re on hold doesn’t mean the line is disconnected. Keep trusting, keep praying, and keep believing that what you’re waiting for is still on its way. Don’t hang up, God is working, even in the waiting.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments