Love Is Patient: Embracing God’s Timing in Relationships When Starting as Friendsಮಾದರಿ

Day 2: Trusting in God’s Timing

Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why is this taking so long?” Waiting can be frustrating, especially when it comes to relationships. You might see other people moving forward — dating, getting engaged, or even married — and wonder when it will be your turn. But here’s what Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us: God’s timing isn’t just random; it’s intentional. He has a plan for your life, including your relationships, and it’s one designed to prosper you, not harm you.

Trusting His timing isn’t always easy, though. We often have our own ideas of when and how things should happen. But forcing an outcome when it’s not in God’s timing can lead to unnecessary heartache. Imagine planting a flower seed and digging it up every day just to see if it’s growing. The flower won’t thrive because it wasn’t given the time to take root. The same happens when God’s timeline isn’t honored in our relationships.

This is why starting as friends is such a beautiful way to exercise patience. Building a friendship first allows the foundation of a relationship to grow in God’s time, not yours. Friendship gives you the space to learn about each other — what makes you laugh, what inspires you, what challenges you. It allows you to connect without the intense pressure of defining the relationship too soon. When you’re patient in friendship, you’re making room for God to work in ways that prepare both of your hearts for what’s to come.

Think about Abraham and Sarah’s story that’s told in Genesis. God promised them a child, but when the years stretched on and their patience wore thin, they took matters into their own hands. The result? Confusion, conflict, and a detour they didn’t need to take. It’s a reminder of the peace that comes when we wait on God rather than push ahead of Him.

Maybe you’re in a season of friendship with someone right now. Instead of questioning why things haven’t progressed, try shifting your focus. Ask God to help you trust His plan for both of you. Trust that He knows what you need and when you need it.

Today, spend some time praying and reflecting on Jeremiah 29:11. Surrender your timeline to Him, and lean into the truth that His plans for you are full of hope and purpose. Friendship may seem slow at times, but with God guiding the process, it has the potential to grow into something greater than you could imagine.