In today’s fast-paced business environment, leaders face constant pressure to make quick decisions, deliver immediate results, and stay ahead of the competition. This urgency often pushes Christian business leaders to act hastily, sometimes at the expense of wisdom and strategic thinking. However, there’s a biblical concept that provides a powerful counterbalance to this rush: waiting on God.

Waiting on God is frequently misunderstood as passive inaction or mere patience. But as Harold Milby emphasizes in his podcast, this spiritual discipline is actually an active, faith-filled posture that aligns your decisions, timing, and purpose with God’s divine will. It’s about intentionally seeking God’s guidance before moving forward, ensuring your business decisions reflect His wisdom rather than merely responding to external pressures.

The biblical foundation for this principle is robust. Throughout Scripture, we see waiting on God as a recurring theme modeled by many leaders and affirmed by God’s promises. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” God operates outside human time constraints, and His plans unfold according to His perfect wisdom, not our sense of urgency. Isaiah 40:31 promises that “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” This suggests that waiting on God actually replenishes our emotional, spiritual, and physical reserves, equipping us to lead with greater endurance.

For Christian business leaders, waiting on God offers numerous practical benefits. First, it provides better clarity in decision-making. When leaders resist the pressure to act quickly—whether launching products, hiring staff, or resolving conflicts—they can seek God’s wisdom and ensure their decisions align with His will and their long-term vision rather than short-term pressures. Abraham’s impatience with God’s promise led to complications that could have been avoided through waiting (Genesis 16).

Waiting on God also helps leaders avoid expensive mistakes. Rushing into opportunities without discernment can lead to financial losses, strained relationships, and ethical compromises. As Proverbs 19:2 warns, “Desire without knowledge is not good, how much more will hasty feet miss the way.” Taking time to evaluate risks and seek counsel serves as a safeguard against costly errors.

Additionally, this practice builds resilience and patience—essential qualities in today’s unpredictable business climate. Market shifts, employee turnover, and economic downturns test a leader’s resolve. Waiting on God cultivates patience and trust during these challenging seasons, preventing reactive decision-making and panic-driven choices.

Perhaps one of the most significant benefits is how waiting on God helps align your business with His eternal purposes. As a Christian leader, your ultimate goal should extend beyond profit to glorifying God and advancing His kingdom. Waiting ensures your business decisions reflect His values rather than merely worldly success metrics. It fosters ethical integrity by prioritizing what’s right over what’s expedient, even when patience is required.

So how can leaders effectively wait on God? First, prayer is essential—not just talking to God but also listening for His voice and recording any insights received. Second, studying Scripture, particularly passages about waiting like Psalm 37:7 and Habakkuk 2:3, helps shape your perspective. Third, seeking wise counsel from godly advisors provides encouragement and strengthens your resolve. Fourth, practicing patience in small decisions builds discipline for larger ones. Fifth, trusting God even during His silence, recognizing that His timing is perfect. Finally, acting in faith once His direction becomes clear.

Of course, waiting on God presents challenges, especially for results-oriented leaders. Impatience, pressure from stakeholders, fear of missing opportunities, and doubt can all tempt us to move ahead of God’s timing. However, the fruit of waiting—peace, wisdom, and divine provision—far outweighs these temporary struggles. As one example demonstrates, a Christian CEO who delayed a merger despite investor pressure later discovered hidden debts in the other company that would have spelled disaster.

Waiting on God isn’t a hindrance to success but the pathway to it. By trusting His timing and aligning decisions with His will, Christian business leaders can navigate complex challenges with integrity, wisdom, and peace. As Psalm 37:7 encourages, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” In this stillness, you’ll find the strength, clarity, and direction needed to lead effectively and honor God in all you do.