Finding Purpose and Discipline in Seasons of Waiting
When your hard work feels like it's going nowhere, God is still working.
Two months ago, I was caught completely off guard when my company downsized and I was laid off. Despite my strong work ethic, I found myself suddenly without a job and facing a season I hadn't planned for.
This has been one of the most challenging periods in my faith journey. I've done well in interviews, prepared thoroughly, and put my best foot forward – yet each time, I've faced silence or rejection. It's been a painful lesson that sometimes our best efforts don't yield the results we expect, no matter how hard we try.
Each passing day brings the weight of not providing for my family and watching our savings slowly diminish. As men, we're called to be providers and leaders, and these circumstances can make us question our purpose and role.
What I've discovered through this process is both humbling and profound: no matter how well I perform, if God doesn't want something for me, it won't happen. This has forced me to confront my own illusion of control and recognize that everything truly is in God's hands to a degree I never fully understood before.
The entire book of Ecclesiastes has been speaking to me during this time. Solomon's wisdom cuts through our cultural obsession with achievement and reminds us that our purpose isn't found in our productivity or position, but in our relationship with God and faithfulness to His calling.
What You Can Do During Seasons of Waiting
If you're in a season where your hard work doesn't seem to be yielding results, here are three disciplines that can help you maintain purpose and direction:
1. Root yourself in Scripture daily.
I've found that on days when I neglect time in God's Word, anxiety creeps in and overwhelms me. But when I prioritize Scripture, I gain perspective that carries me through uncertainty. Make a commitment to start your day in the Word, even if it's just 15 minutes before the household wakes up.
2. Redefine success biblically.
Our culture defines success by outcomes and achievements. But God's measure is faithfulness and obedience. Ask yourself: "Am I being faithful with what God has given me today?" Success isn't getting the job or closing the deal – it's stewarding your current situation for God's glory.
3. Establish rhythms of discipline.
When external structures fall away (like a job), internal disciplines become even more crucial. Create a daily schedule that includes prayer, physical exercise, job searching, skill development, and family time. Discipline doesn't restrict freedom – it creates the framework for purposeful living.
Remember that God often does His deepest work in us during seasons of waiting. Joseph spent years in prison before his purpose was revealed. David was anointed king but spent years running for his life before taking the throne. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before leading Israel to freedom.
In all these biblical examples, the waiting wasn't wasted time – it was preparation time. The disciplines they established during seasons of obscurity equipped them for their seasons of influence.
True biblical masculinity isn't defined by constant achievement, but by faithful obedience even when results are invisible. It's about leading yourself well before you can lead others effectively.
As I navigate this uncertain time, I'm learning that my identity isn't found in what I do, but in whose I are. Even in seasons of waiting, we're still called to lead with strength and purpose.