Waiting and Listening in the White Spaces: In Our Waiting, the Lord Provides Us with Strong Counsel to Remember
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
During times of waiting on God, there is a “white space.” That’s when nothing seems to be happening—at least nothing visible. You could easily tell yourself at the time, “I’m waiting in vain. Nothing’s going to change.”
That’s precisely what the Adversary wants you to think: “Waiting on God is a waste.”
Don’t you believe it!
When the Enemy’s message slips into your mind, you need to kick it out. Reject it. Call it the lie that it is. Take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB).
See how practical that is? Every thought.
During those times when doubt and discouragement creep into our waiting periods, the Lord provides us with strong counsel. I love these words from the pages of Isaiah:
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. . . .
For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:10, 13 NASB 1995)
It’s those kinds of thoughts that can strengthen you while you are waiting, praying, and fasting.
White Spaces
This may be one of those “white spaces” in your own life and ministry. Maybe it’s time for you to pray and fast and to call upon a few close friends to fast and pray with you. (Sometimes the best individuals for this are those outside your church.) Maybe it’s time for you to say,
I can’t find the path to walk in this unpredictable situation. So I’m going to wait . . . I’m not going to rush . . . and in the meantime, I’m going to give it to God. I’m going to listen with a sensitive ear and watch the Lord’s leading with a sensitive eye.
In my more than five decades of pastoral ministry, I have had many, many occasions to wait on God. I still do today. Sometimes it drives me nuts! But honestly, I would have it no other way.
It requires a sensitive eye to watch the movement of God in your life. All He may do is turn your attention in another direction. But that may be all you need. As you wait and watch, also listen to Him with a sensitive ear in the pages of Holy Scripture. Pore over a favorite passage in His Word.
Quietly give attention to His presence, and He will give you direction when it’s time.
Copyright © 2025 by Insight for Living and Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide.
About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.
