52. Q&A: Is God holding back on Me?

In this Wednesday Q&A episode, we dive deep into a question many of us ask during difficult seasons: “Is God holding back on me?” You might feel like you’re doing everything right—praying, trusting, and working hard—but you still don’t see the breakthrough or blessings you’re hoping for. If you’ve ever felt frustrated, confused, or even doubtful in times of waiting, this episode is for you.

Key Points Covered:
1. Introduction & My Story
2. The Nature of Waiting
- We explore how waiting is a common theme in the Bible, looking at the stories of Abraham, Joseph, David, and others who endured long seasons before seeing God’s promises fulfilled.
- Biblical insight: Isaiah 40:31 shows us that waiting on God is active trust, not wasted time.
3. What It Feels Like When God is Silent
- Waiting can feel like God is silent or distant, which leads to doubt and frustration. We discuss how even David, a man after God’s own heart, experienced this in Psalm 13:1-2. Yet, like David, we are called to hold on to faith, even when it’s hard.
- Biblical insight: Habakkuk 1:2 reminds us that feeling unheard is a common struggle, but God is always working behind the scenes.
4. The Perspective Shift—Is God Protecting or Preparing You?
- Sometimes God’s “no” or “not yet” is actually protection or preparation for something greater. Examples from Moses, Paul, and Joseph show that God’s timing and plan are always better than ours, even if we can’t see it in the moment.  - Biblical insight: Romans 8:28 assures us that God is always working for our good, even when things don’t go as we expect.
5. What to Do When It Feels Like God is Holding Back
- Practical steps for those in a waiting season: surrender control, look for the lesson, and stay faithful. Even expressing your frustrations to God is an act of faithfulness. - Biblical insight: James 1:3-4 teaches us that perseverance in these seasons leads to spiritual maturity and completeness.
6. The Promise of God’s Goodness
- God is a good Father who doesn’t withhold blessings out of cruelty. His timing is perfect, and His plans for us are good—even when we can’t see it.
- Biblical insight: Psalm 84:11 reminds us that God doesn’t withhold good things from those who walk uprightly.

Final Encouragement:
If you’re in a season where it feels like God is holding back, take heart. Trust His timing, stay faithful, and keep seeking His presence. Remember Galatians 6:9—don’t grow weary in doing good, because in due time, you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up.

Closing Verse: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” — Psalm 27:14

Spiritual Growth Coaching Invitation: 
Feeling stuck or uncertain? Gain clarity and start your spiritual journey today! Schedule your first session with me now: bit.ly/spiritualgrowthcoaching

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Transcript

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Hi, and welcome back to our Wednesday, Q and a here at curious for Christ. I'm so excited to share an extra episode every week to address some questions that we all have. And that I'm hearing from you because I believe that they deserve a deeper dive into scripture. So. Today, let's dive in. I wanted to explore the topic around the question is God holding back on me. Because many of you me included. Can feel like you're doing everything right. Praying, trusting, working hard. And yet we still don't see any results or we haven't received yet. The blessings that we've been hoping for. So let's see what God has to say about this and how also I related to this topic. I shared it a little bit about my life in the summer series that I've planned for. You. About my face? They are episodes 29 through 36. So feel free to, after this episode, even go back to them and hear about my story. But basically. Before I knew God. I spent years struggling with fear, uncertainty, loneliness. And after moving to the United States, I found God pretty quickly. And suddenly. Many of the questions that I'd been carrying began to make sense. And I found a deep sense of peace. Knowing God and going to the scriptures. I also believe that God had given me dreams to pursue that had actually, prompted me to come to the United States in the first place. And by choosing to trust him first, I really felt confident that I was on the right path, but those dreams haven't come to pass yet. Many of them at least. And I always wanted to get married. So eventually during that waiting time, I did. But then I also had a situation with the immigration process that caused many delays? And many of my dreams also as a consequence. So then I found myself asking what now, what's next for me some days I would even be wondering, is this all there? AEs? I. Just lived all of this life and now I'm here and all is well, but yet I feel there's something more within, should I be just more grateful? What is missing? What am I not understanding? Or what am I supposed to do now that I'm here and I'm married. Am I just supposed to sit and wait and look at my husband in the eye? Is there a plan for my life. Because the truth is the waiting and all the detours can feel so overwhelming. And the left me pretty unsure of what was really going to happen. And what was happening at the time or you know, a lack of clarity of what God was actually doing. And sometimes I even struggle to believe even that God had a plan for me and I don't have as much, now that same struggle to believe it. But it is still something that I need to train my mind. Constantly to go back to the basics to know that God deeply loves me. And to go back to my heart, not just know it in my head, that he cares that he has plans, but really believe it in my heart so that I have the peace, not just knowing. And then I don't have peace because then that's not truly believing. It's just understanding. Intellectually, but it's not, I believe. And I also longed for someone to help me find clarity. When everything felt uncertain and maybe you feel like God, hasn't given you the breakthrough, or the blessing, your expect. And I I'm with you that can cause doubt and frustration and really, takes away do a piece. If you let it. So this is absolutely common to feel this way, especially in seasons of waiting. Or when we face said back. So I wanted to just lean in a little bit. And explore this topic. Let's do it. Welcome to curious for Christ. Do you ever find yourself lying awake at night? Wondering about God's plan for your life. Maybe you wake up with big dreams, but feel unsure where to start or what your next step should be. If you're curious about exploring your faith and finding purpose, then you've come to the right place. Hi, I'm Monica, Sandra. I too felt lost unsure of the direction my life was taking. I yearned to understand my purpose and have someone guide me. But I kept telling myself I was too busy, the timing wasn't right. And my lack of clarity prevented me from being consistent until I found Christ. He brought peace into my life and we field the way to find purpose by anchoring myself. In him. In this podcast, we'll journey together, exploring the Bible to gain a deeper understanding of him. and cultivate your own personal relationship with Christ. So open up your Bible, put in those ear buds and listen up because God is speaking to you. He is making everything new and you don't want to miss it. Let's get started. Segment one. The nature of waiting. Let's talk a little bit about what waiting means to us and how it feels because it's a common theme throughout the Bible, but it's often misunderstood. Sometimes we tend to see weighting as wasted time or evidence that God isn't listening, nor is he working or perhaps even caring. But there are many examples in the Bible figures who endured long periods of waiting before receiving God's promises. Abraham for instance, waited 25 years for the birth of his son, Isaac. After God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars. And he was not a young man then. Joseph spent years in slavery and prison over a decade. Before his God given dream of leadership came true when he became second in command in Egypt. David also was anointed as king in his youth, but waited many years enjoying hardships and persecutions before he finally became king of Israel. And each of these figures weighted. Sometimes in confusion or hardships. David was about to be killed. He really felt like king Saul eventually would kill him. He was all alone in this. And. Ultimately, they actually also, God fulfill his promises. Isaiah 40 verse 31 says, but those who wait on the Lord, shall we knew their strength. They shall Mount up with wings like Eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. Here we see that. Waiting on God is actually not passive. It is an active trust that God's timing in ways are better than ours. Waiting can be a time of growth of preparation and deeper face. Segment two. Let's talk about what it feels like when God is silent. This is real. It's not just stories in the Bible. It's what we truly go through and experience. In a lifetime, many times over. We all experience a sense of delay. And feelings like God is holding back. And that can be emotionally very challenging. It can lead to feelings of frustration and confusion and doubt. Especially when prayers seem unanswered or opportunities appear closed or progress even feel stagnant or the end is near, you know, doomsday. I can totally relate to all of these but. You're not alone. Many biblical figures faced that as well. People who were known for their face. When through these periods of waiting and struggle as well. I love Psalm 13. Verse one and two, because it addresses this feeling so well. It says how long, oh Lord, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day. How long should my enemy be exalted over me? In this passage, we see the David expresses deep anguish in a sense of abandonment. Truly. Deeply questioning God about the duration of his suffering. I can feel it just as I'm speaking. But his words capture the raw emotions of waiting and the frustration that comes when it feels like God is silent or distant. So we've all faced it. And it can feel as if God is withholding blessings or answers, but yet. David's cry also leads to a powerful resolution in the same song. Because it reminds us that. Even in our despair, we can choose to trust god's steadfast love and salvation. Let's read. Psalm 13 the very same Psalm verses five and six. It says, but. I trust in your own failing. Love my heart. We Joyce's in yourself. And I will sing the Lord's praise for he has been good to me. This is after, he says how long God, and then a few verses later he's able to get there. I think it's a process. I think it's so real, but it's a process. To me, this passage shows that it's not only okay to express our feelings and frustrations to God. But. To be honest with God is crucial. It's part of the process because it leads us to draw closer to God in face. It's a choice to believe, but if we are not honest with our feelings, we're not gonna be drawn to God. We're going to be stuck in those feelings of there is no God or whatever it is, our doubt. We're going to believe our doubts instead of. Leaning into God and growing closer to him. And in Habbakuk one verse two, it says, how long Lord must I call for help? But you do not listen or cry out to you violence, but you do not save. In the Bible we see over and over faithful people. Who struggled with feeling like God was holding back or not responding. Nothing is wrong with your faith. It's part of life. And God. Was always working in all of these examples in the Bible, behind the scenes for a greater purpose. We have to believe that as we saw in all these examples it's all over. In the Bible. Let's hold onto this segment. Three. How about we shift our perspective and instead of saying, is God holding back on me? We say. Is God protecting me or preparing me. So what feels that God holding back may actually be God protecting or preparing you for something better. And actually they are several biblical examples where God's no or not yet served. As a. Form of divine protests. Protection. Or preparation. Puration for greater blessings. Things for instance, Moses. And a promised land. And Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, but God told him he would not enter the promised land in Deuteronomy. 34 verse four. But this no protected Moses from potentially losing his focus on God's holiness and also serve to prepare Joshua and the next generation to enter the land. Under new leadership. Another example, paul's thorns in second Corinthians 12 verse seven through 10. Paul describes a thorn in the flesh that he pleaded with God to remove. And God responds. Was. My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. So it cuts pretty much of a note. Or, uh, not yet. And that taught him humility and reliance on God's strength. Ultimately leading to greater effectiveness in his ministry. Joseph's journey. As well, Joseph was sold into slavery, as we mentioned, and he was in prison before he eventually rose to power in Egypt. And as we can read in Genesis chapters, 37 through 50, and during this time of waiting. God was preparing him to handle the responsibilities of leadership. And to save his family during a famine. So not only it saved him from the dangers of pride and unpreparedness. Hannah also waited for her son, Samuel and she waited years for a child before she finally gave birth to Samuel in first Samuel one. And during her time of waiting, she grew in face and dedication to God. And God's timing ensure that when Samuel was born, He would play a significant role in Israel's history. As a prophet and a judge, and that would be fulfilling a divine. Purpose that required Hannah's readiness and commitment. It was not just a child that she would get. It would be a major prophet and judge. So, These examples as we see, they really illustrate that sometimes God's no or not yet serve a greater purpose. They protect us from harm and ensure that we are fully prepared for the blessings. He has in store. So just revisiting my story, you can ask yourself, what is God protecting me from? What is he preparing me for? And when I look back into my story, I see that when I moved to the United States, I quickly encountered God, which transformed my life. And shortly after I met my husband. So the most two important relationships were right there. In my life. And then there was a time of waiting right with my immigration, which allowed me to settle down a little bit I needed a safe space. And time to explore every experience that I've had in my past and my story, to change the way that I think to be healed, to grow closer to God, to see how he thinks what he did and why to understand his purpose and his will for my life. And to have more compassion. So it equipped me with valuable insight about love and sacrifice and resilience, romans eight verse 28 says, 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. God has a plan in mind. Segment four. So a little bit of more practical steps here, what to do when it feels like God is holding back, what are some steps that we can take? What can we do? Something that I needed answers to. So number one. Surrender control. It's. Very important to surrender the need for control and to trust that God knows best his thoughts are higher than my thoughts. I need to trust in God's greater wisdom. And I really encourage you to not bypass that. To really fight hard to surrender what you think you need for your life and to release your expectation and the timelines that you think you have. There will not be any peace. Otherwise you will just go on with your own wisdom. And that is another. Set of scriptures and another, a whole episode to talk about going with your own understanding and your own wisdom be wise in your own eyes is never a great thing in the Bible. It's putting also unnecessary pressure on yourselves. And God's got this. So let's settle back a little bit and rely on God, surrender what you think you need and want for your life. Because if God gives you those dreams, he's got this, he's got a plan on how this is all going to unfold. And no one said. Once God's timing is here. Oh, I knew better than God. No. When God shows up, we always say, wow. I did not see that coming, but it is. So incredible. His wisdom is incredible. Number two, look for the lesson. So the same question, instead of asking is God holding back, that's not going to help us move forward or grow closer to God, but what is God teaching me here? Why does he want me to learn in during this time of waiting? Whether it's patience or phase humility, trust, perseverance. I really encourage you to ask God specifically. What are you trying to show me? In this season right now. All right. Number three, stay faithful. Even when it feels like God is distant. It's crucial that you stay faithful in prayer. And service devotion because all of these can deepen your relationship with God in ways you have no ideas. So don't waste your waiting time. We made faithful and keep on doing. What, you know, you need to do or. Join a Facebook community. Listen to her podcast. Sometimes. There'll be ward is not even in the outcome, but in the growing closer to God through the process. And I even believe that just expressing your feelings to God like David did, as I mentioned in his song is an act of faithfulness because. Why would you express your feelings if you didn't even believe that somehow? It mattered. Somehow. God's listening. It's that hope that never leaves us. Stay faithful. James one verse three and four says. Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete. Not lacking anything. God's delays, not denials are often seasons of growth that prepare us for what's next. And we have to be fully equipped. So enjoy the process. Lean back into the process. And finally segment five. The promise of God's goodness. I love that because it's so crucial to be reassured of God's goodness. When we have a good news, it really does something to our heart when we know that God is good and we really take time to dwell in that. There is more peace. And the truth is God is not holding back blessings. That is a pure lie. He's not holding back blessings. Out of punishment or does interest? No, his timing is perfect and his plans for us are good. He is a good father and he loves to give good gifts to his children. And why? Because he says so in Matthew seven verse 11, And even when we can see the full picture, we can trust his heart and you can too. Some. 84 verse 11. Says for the Lord. God is a sun and shield the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing. Does he withhold from those who walk? Uprightly. God does not withhold good things, but in his love, he gives them at the right. Time. So this isn't my friend as a conclusion. I want to highlight those key points. God is not holding back out of cruelty or indifference. He's often working in ways. We can't see. He's protecting or preparing us for something greater. And so if you are in a season where it feels like God is holding back trust in his timing, stay faithful and keep seeking his presence. The breakthrough may not look like what you expect, but it will come. I have two scriptures for you to close Galatians six verse nine. Let us not become weary in doing good for the proper time. We will reap a harvest. If we do not give up. Persevere in doing good and serving others. There's a reward for those who remain steadfast in their efforts. And the last scripture for you, my friend is Psalm 27 verse 14. Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage. Wait for the Lord. And while you wait, if you're feeling uncertain about what God is doing in your life, or if you're longing to grow in your relationship with him, whether you're just starting. Or looking to deepen your faith. This is the perfect time to take action. And that's why I invite you to join me for spiritual growth coaching. It's a customized step-by-step coaching plan designed to help you know who God is, how to pray. How to read and understand the Bible and many more actionable steps together. We'll take the steps that will bring clarity to what it means to be a Christian. And to live a full and purposeful life for God. So don't waste any more time, feeling stuck. You can have clarity right away and move forward with purpose. With the right guidance, you can navigate this season of your life with confidence and a lot more ease. Often we're so caught up in our own lives that we can't see clearly what God is doing. Sometimes we just need a fresh perspective to help us recognize his plan. So if you're ready for that kind of clarity and you feel called to grow closer to God. Do not. Wait. Visit right now, bit.at Y. Why four slash spiritual growth coaching and you can book your first one-on-one. Session with me. The link will also be in the show notes. So remember, we all need help and support on this journey. Let's walk it together. Go now to bit. Data while I Ford slash spiritual growth coaching. I can't wait and bye for now. Hi, I hope you enjoy today's episode. If so, would you like to take 30 seconds and share it with a friend who may also struggle with knowing God and his purpose for their life? Also leave. A review on apple podcasts and let me know what topics you'd like to hear about in the future. Your voice matters. I'll meet you back next Friday for another episode.