Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent

by Ben Patterson

Waiting . . . In a dead-end career for a breakthrough . . . In an unhappy marriage for relief or escape . . . In a chronic illness for a ray of hope . . . In solitude for the loneliness to subside . . . In turmoil for peace to come . . . Sometimes we find our lives placed on hold. Deep questions begin to surface. How long must I wait? Is there any meaning to all this waiting? Can I trust God? We can't help but wonder what is happening--and why? In Waiting , Ben Patterson uncovers two cardinal virtues required for successful waiting-- humility and hope . You will learn how humility teaches us we exist for God's sake, not for our own; and you will learn how hope assures us that there is something worth waiting for.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Christian Living, Christian

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Ben Patterson is campus pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. He has served churches in New Jersey and California and was dean of the chapel at Hope College in Michigan before going to Westmont College. He is the author of Deepening Your Conversation with God and is a back-page columnist for Leadership Journal and a contributor to Christianity Today.

Reviews

[Lexi Huang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book back in college and the first time I read it, I vaguely remember feeling like EHHH yeah okay whatever. But this time reading through it, the reminders and truths within it were a great comfort and encouragement. I’m really glad I reread it and think it might should be one I reread often. My favorite quotes are:

“God doesn’t help those who help themselves: he helps those who trust in him.”

“He [God] has the right to do whatever he wants to do, whenever he wants to do it, but he also has the love to desire what is best for all his creatures and the wisdom to know what is best. He is superior to us in every conceivable way — in power and love and wisdom. To know this is to be patient.”

[Riccardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in my dad's closet last month and decided to read it on a whim. That must have been providential because this book was what I needed. Patterson looks at themes of hope, humility, and waiting in the lives of Job and Abraham. Focusing on what scripture has to say about these topics made the message more powerful. Definitely worth the read!

[Steve Lee Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started out as four stars, but ended strong!

When I had finished the first few chapters I thought to myself, "This book is readable, and sound, but not exactly life changing." So I was planning on giving it four stars. However, by the time I reached the middle, it was evident that I had misjudged it. It WAS life changing! No matter where you are in your walk with God, I believe this book will encourage you and strengthen your faith. And YES, I believe it will change your life!

[Bill Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Ben Patterson's teaching in person at a week long pastor conference before I ever knew he writes books.

I read parts of Waiting several years ago, but when it beckoned me from one of my shelves recently I decided to read cover to cover.

I was delighted to find Ben's illustrations and disciplines of study still move me and ask for more from my life.

There is a lot of waiting in retirement. How many days 'til I see my grandchild(ren) again? Am I anticipating writing some things myself? Am I waiting on a new sense of call? I will not return to a full time pastor's life. But this book has a lot of Abram/Abraham, who did much of his waiting at my age to see the fulfillment of God's promises to him and Sarai/Sarah (name changes had much more meaning in the Hebrew world than they do today, especially if God does the re-naming.

I'd rather not cite examples in this review. If you have issues with waiting, or anticipate having to wait on something not yet clear to you, or have impatience for God to act, this is a book you want to read. It may even be a book you must read.

I thank God for my friend who wrote it. I have seen him little in this life. But I still warm up to his company, his sense of humor, and his wisdom quickly. I hope this review enhances your own curiosity. If you live in Tucson, I'd be glad to loan it to you as well. Or perhaps even if we need to involve the U.S. Postal service.

[Rocky Henriques · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this shortly after it came out in 1989, and decided it was worth another visit. Ben Patterson writes as if he were sitting across from you sharing from his heart. I highlighted several passages more than thirty years ago, and this time I read it with a red marker in my hand, and discovered that I was marking in the margins some of the same sentences and paragraphs I had before. I say that to say that the principles Patterson outlines in this book have stood the test of time. It may be difficult to find these days, but I assure you it is well worth the effort.

[Bella Ponce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed the wait I think about waiting. Definitely worth the read as the author pulls from Scripture the joy, refinement, & peace we can find in active waiting!

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent. Focuses primarily on Abraham and Job. My biggest complaint is the amount of exclamation points. If you are looking to read something on this subject, it's a good, fast read. It abounds with anecdotes and illustrations (ahem, phil).

[Leslie Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful book that I thought I didn't need to read. The title is misleading, and I wasn't in a place that God was silent. However we live most of our lives in a waiting place and I was encouraged and challenged right where I was.

[JoLisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most encouraging book I've read, reread and given to others as gifts. I highly recommend it.

[valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. Ben talks about how waiting is about hope and humility and uses Abraham's story to explain how we each wait on our faith journeys.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated: A-