Trusting God’s Work in Others

Inside: It’s easy to get discouraged when growth in others seems slow. But trusting God’s timing means remembering He’s still at work—even when we can’t see it. His timing is perfect, His work is sure.

Have you ever felt discouraged when you don’t see growth in someone’s life the way you think it should be? I know I have. It’s not that I doubt God is working—I know He is. But sometimes, I wish the progress looked different or happened faster. It can be hard when a loved one seems stuck, and you’re longing to see change in their walk with the Lord.

Trusting God’s timing in the lives of others isn’t always easy. But it’s a reminder that He’s always working—even when we can’t see it and even when growth doesn’t look like we expected. When we hold onto this truth, it changes how we love and walk with those around us—with more grace and patience and a deeper trust in God’s perfect plan.

Related: EP 169: Thinking the Best of Others: A Biblical Approach to Love and Grace

When Growth Feels Slow

Waiting is hard, at least for me it is. Especially when you’re praying for someone you love—a family member who doesn’t know the Lord or a friend who seems stuck in the same struggle. The days turn into years, and our hearts ache for change.

Philippians 1:6 brings such comfort:

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

What a freeing truth. God began the work, and only He can complete it. The burden to change hearts and lives doesn’t rest on us. His timing is always perfect, even when it feels slow to us. Sometimes, we don’t see visible progress, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Real growth often takes place deep in the heart, away from what we can see.

If you’re waiting, wondering when you’ll see progress in a loved one’s life, hold onto this promise: God isn’t finished yet. He will complete what He started—in His time, not ours.

So, when the speed of God seems slow to us, or when his timing doesn’t make sense, we must “not overlook this one fact”: God-time is different from man-time. God-time is relative to his purposes, which is his frame of reference. And God, according to his wise purposes, makes everything beautiful in its time — the time he purposefully chooses for it.

Jon Bloom

Remembering Our Own Slow Growth

Before we spend too much time wondering why others aren’t growing as we think they should, it’s humbling—and necessary—to pause and reflect on our own walk with the Lord. My growth has been anything but quick. There have been seasons where I felt stuck, learning the same lessons over and over.

One area where the Lord continues to work in me is my tendency to grumble and complain. I wish I could say it was a quick fix, but it’s been a slow process. Yet, God has been patient. Through prayer, time in His Word, and resources that keep my heart focused on thankfulness, I see progress. It’s been slow—but it’s there. And that’s only because of the Spirit’s faithful work in my heart.

That’s what sanctification is: the process of becoming more like Christ. It happens as God shapes us, one step at a time.

Philippians 1:6 isn’t just a promise for others—it’s a promise for you and me. The work God starts, He finishes—not on our timeline, but His.

If I need that kind of patience and grace from the Lord (and I do), how much more should I extend it to others? The process may be slow, but it’s steady. We haven’t arrived. We’re all a work in progress. And remembering that keeps us humble and patient toward others.

Trusting God’s Timing for Those Who Don’t Know Him

This may be the hardest place to trust. When those we love don’t know Jesus, our hearts ache. We long for them to experience the peace and joy only Christ can give. The waiting feels long, especially when there are few signs of change.

Sometimes, I find myself pleading, “Lord, why not now?” But salvation belongs to the Lord. Only He can open hearts.

2 Peter 3:9 reminds us:

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

God’s heart for our loved ones is greater than ours. He sees what we don’t. His timing is perfect. While we wait, we keep praying, knowing only He can soften hearts. We love consistently—showing Christ in our kindness and grace. And when the door opens, we share the hope of the gospel, trusting that He alone saves.

Extending Grace to Fellow Believers

It’s hard when we see fellow believers struggling in areas where we hoped they’d grow. We wonder why change seems slow. But Romans 8:28-29 gives us hope:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”

God is at work, conforming His children to the image of Christ. Sanctification doesn’t follow our timelines. The pace and path of growth are in God’s hands. Sometimes, what looks like slow progress on the outside is deep, transformative work on the inside.

Our role? Trust His process, extend grace, and keep praying. Instead of questioning why someone isn’t further along, we can encourage them:

“I see God working in you.”

Encouragement is often a better motivator for growth than criticism. I’m so grateful for those who chose to encourage me instead of criticizing me. Their grace-filled words strengthened my faith and reminded me of the Lord’s own patience in my life.

Trusting and Loving Well in the Waiting

Waiting gives us space to lean into the Lord. Prayer shifts our perspective and reminds us that change is His work, not ours.

If you’re waiting, keep trusting. Perhaps God is working in places you can’t see. His timing is always perfect. And as you wait, look for the small things—a softened response, a kind word. Those small moments are evidence of God’s quiet work. When you see them, pause and give Him thanks.

Sometimes, loving well means speaking the truth. But truth spoken in love builds up; it doesn’t tear down. These conversations approached prayerfully, point one another back to Christ.

And when hurt happens—because relationships are messy—there’s room for forgiveness. Forgiveness is always part of the process, but reconciliation sometimes takes wisdom and time.

When Growth Feels Too Slow

Spiritual growth takes time. The most meaningful changes often happen quietly, in places only God can see.

Romans 15:13 reminds us:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

We abound in hope because God is faithful. His timing is perfect. His work is sure. Even when progress feels slow, we can trust that He’s always at work.

Trusting God’s Work—Even When We Can’t See It

Ultimately, trusting God’s work in others means trusting Him. We don’t trust because people always get it right—we trust because God is faithful.

Imagine how our relationships would change if we truly believed that God is always working—even when we don’t see it. Imagine how much grace would fill our homes and churches if we trusted His timing instead of demanding our own.

Ephesians 4:1-2 encourages us:

“Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

So today, choose grace. Trust God’s timing. Hold onto hope.

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Related Podcast Episode:

If this post encouraged you, I’d love for you to listen to Episode 169: Thinking the Best of Others: A Biblical Approach to Love and Grace on the podcast. It beautifully complements today’s topic by diving deeper into what it looks like to love others well, give the benefit of the doubt, and extend grace in our everyday relationships.

Sometimes hearing the conversation brings it all together, and I’d love for you to tune in. Grab a cup of coffee, press play, and let’s walk through this together. 💛