New York Times bestselling author Charles Stanley has written more than 55 books with sales exceeding 10 million copies. He has been the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta since 1971, and his radio outreach ministry, “In Touch,” reaches more than 2,800 radio/television outlets. His newest book, WAITING ON GOD, is a biblical primer on all things related to enduring silence from God. He has divided this dynamic text into seven sections; in each one, readers will be given opportunities to read, reflect and actively participate in their season of “waiting” by making good use of his recommendations.

Stanley guides readers to better understand God’s common purposes of waiting and how to do so in a manner that is good for them and brings God glory. Truly, he knows how to get his readers excited about the challenges associated with long and sometimes silent waits in this life. He admits that waiting is never easy, especially when a person is waiting for a job that puts food on the table or enduring a lengthy silence from God when an individual needs swift guidance. However, as readers will discover from Stanley’s personal life stories that he shares so generously throughout the book, God’s Word must become the always-firm foundation for trusting our Heavenly Father to meet every need that arises.

"Once again, Stanley, with his loving, homespun wisdom, tackles a difficult topic and wrestles it into submission to the benefit of all who read his work."

Specifically, readers will find solid biblical instruction and inspirational challenges on these topics: enduring well the long, long wait for something that matters a great deal; living each day fully assured that God is good and has a purpose for the wait; surrendering the idols in life that may impede a rich walk of faith; discerning God’s will while simultaneously finding purpose in the midst of uncertainty; claiming God’s promises by actively expressing faith in the delays; staying on track when everything looks dark by surviving the wait with courage; and discovering the joy of waiting by reaping the rewards God wants to give.

Each chapter is chock full of real-life stories and biblical accounts that mesh together to create a strong foundation for why waiting is part of every person’s life and that waiting always has a purpose. Sometimes, though, as Stanley notes, folks have difficulty removing their personal idols from the throne of their hearts, and these strongholds cause them nothing but heartache when God tries to dismantle them one by one. Just a few of man’s heart idols include wanting to live life by our own understanding; having a permanent sense of security apart from God; goals and dreams that mean more than God’s plan for our life; relationships that individuals place above God; painful memories and experiences from the past; and hobbies that compete with more important responsibilities in life.

Stanley unpacks everything conceivably associated with waiting in a style that will enable Christians to make the most of the wait and will change them from the inside out in the process. When folks who love God are placed in waiting mode, there’s nothing negative about it. Once again, Stanley, with his loving, homespun wisdom, tackles a difficult topic and wrestles it into submission to the benefit of all who read his work.