How to Trust God’s Timing in Your Goals as a Christian Mom

Sharing is caring!

Trusting in God’s timing is simple, but it’s not easy. It’s simple because there’s honestly not much you need to actually do. Nothing to add to your to do list. Which if we’re being honest, that should bring us a sigh of relief as busy moms. 

God’s timing is perfect, but our patience and understanding is not. Today I want to walk through some truths to store in your heart as you work to trust God’s timing with your goals. I’ll share some real examples from my own life in hopes that it will encourage you to trust Him all the more. 

Perseverance comes with a promise. 

Galatians 6:9 tells us that if we are doing good, we will reap a harvest. Note that this verse says “at the proper time.” Sometimes we think the “proper time” is now or even yesterday. However God’s timing is perfect. Rest assured that if you are doing good as you work towards your goals, then you WILL reap a harvest when the time is right. 

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

There are many examples in my life where I can point to how God’s timing was exponentially greater than mine. The example I want to share is story of me leaving my 6-figure corporate career and becoming a stay-at-home mom.

My story:

Before having children, I never imagined being a SAHM. I worked very hard for nearly a decade and truly enjoyed working in Project Management. I was charged with leading teams working towards impactful business goals. But my heart changed right after I had my first son. I couldn’t imagine dropping him off at daycare with a stranger. 

Long story short, we financially couldn’t afford for me to stay home after our first. I had given up on the dream to stay home. I felt bitter that God would change my “goal getter” heart only to not open doors for me to stay home. When my second came along, the desire to stay home returned. Yet again, all doors remained closed and my bitterness grew. 

However, as time passed and my second was approaching his first birthday, circumstances started shifting. We now had a way I could stay home, but we were at least 6 months out. This timing led us to try for our third baby, fully trusting in the Lord that I would be able to stay home this time.  

We immediately became pregnant with our third. I felt so much assurance and peace from the Lord. Throughout those 9 months, the Lord so clearly showed us that His timing was perfect. My company was suffering and going through many rounds of layoffs. Our daycare even closed the week after my daughter was born! We would have been without childcare had I not already decided I’d be staying home. What a stressor that would have been! I was able to quit my career without doubt that it was the right move. What a gracious God we serve!

God’s timing was perfect, because if I had been able to stay home when I wanted to I would have missed achieving my career goal of being promoted, managing other Project Managers, and hitting $100k+ by 30 years old. Everything I THOUGHT I wanted. He was so gracious to let me accomplish all of this, which only proved that it wasn’t what I truly wanted. However, we are blessed by that time of waiting because it put us in a better spot financially once I could stay home. The best gift is that I have my second and third children. Who knows if they’d be here had I stayed home right after my first. 

While I was so angry during the waiting, I now see how silly that was to question His timing. Which brings me to point #2…

It’s not your job to figure out what God’s teaching you in the meantime. 

I recently listened to a podcast episode from Durenda Wilson called “When God Seems Silent.” It spoke to my heart on this topic. I know some assume that when God seems silent, He doesn’t care. Or maybe you’re like me and you know that He does care, but you’re like “OK, I have to wait to find out if this is a no or a later, but why? What am I supposed to be learning right now? Am I learning the lesson? Is what I’m doing pleasing You, so that we can speed up the process?”  So many thoughts. So much anxiousness that accompanies them.

It’s exhausting. We aren’t meant to have to figure it out in the moment. People say hindsight is 20/20 for a reason. Most of us think we know best, but later look back and see how God’s timing was so much better than ours. And sometimes, there’s not anything you need to do or learn. Maybe He’s simply working all things out in the waiting like He was for me when I was impatiently waiting to become a stay-at-home mom. 

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Comparison breaks your trust in God’s timing.

Your relationship with the Lord is unique and special. The plans He has for you, while the outcome may be similar to someone else’s, God’s timing for your goals is not going to be the same. If you look at someone else who is working towards the same exact thing as you and they are ahead of you, the best thing you can do for yourself is to encourage them and keep doing good work yourself.

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

Asking yourself, “Why do they get ‘XYZ’? I think I’m trying just as hard or harder. Why are they reaching success so quickly?“. These negative thoughts plant a seed of doubt that can lead to distrust of God. Frankly, it’s none of your business why this person has achieved a certain milestone and yet you have not. Focusing your precious time and effort feeding an envious spirit isn’t helping you or anyone else. Focus on doing good works that serve the Lord and those around you. 

Remember, we each have special talents and circumstances and the Lord works all of that together for His glory, but in His timing.

Pin this encouragement for later! ↓

Posture Your Heart With Gratitude 

If you live every day with a grateful heart, it’s almost impossible not to trust the Lord. Anytime I feel doubts creep up as I’m working diligently towards my goals and yet feel that God’s timing is behind, I remind myself of everything He has done for me in the past and what he’s doing for me now. 

Scripture commands us to have gratitude. It is God’s will for you that you give thanks to Him. And take note that it says “in all circumstances.” It does not say “when He blesses you” or “when you reach your goals.” The truth of the matter is that if you cannot find gratitude in all circumstances, there will always be something more or different that you want.

I want you to think about it. What happens after we meet our goals? We celebrate, but soon, a new goal becomes the object of our desire. If you cannot find gratitude where you are right now, accept the reality that you will never truly be happy or trust God’s timing. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s the honest truth. Speaking out of love and from experience!

Challenge: Every morning for the next week, write down 3 things for which you are grateful. It can be on a notepad, in your planner, in your phone. Whatever works best for you!

Here are some of my favorite scriptures related to gratitude:

• give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
• I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;  I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2 (NIV)
• And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Remember: Do it ALL for the glory of God.

I want to leave you with these final thoughts. 

If you are doing everything “all for the glory of God” as we are told in 1 Corinthians 10:31, you need not worry about God’s timing for your goals. He sees you. Your efforts are not going unnoticed. He will bless your obedience, but in His timing and in His ways.

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

P.S. If you are struggling with time management in the waiting, I’d encourage you to join the waitlist for my Biblical Time Management Devotional and read this post that takes you through 4 questions about biblical time management!