When God’s Promises Feel “Almost There”: Navigating Faith in the In Between
How do you stay faithful when you’re living in the space between God’s promise and its fulfillment?
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a season of waiting—praying for breakthrough while wrestling with doubt, seeking clarity while walking through confusion—you’re not alone. In fact, you’re living in what I call the “in between,” and it’s one of the most challenging yet transformative spaces of the Christian journey.
The Sacred Space of “Almost There”
During a recent episode of Coffee with Phil, I found myself reflecting on those seasons when God’s promises feel so close you can almost taste them, yet remain frustratingly out of reach. Like Moses standing on Mount Nebo, gazing into the Promised Land he would never enter, we often find ourselves in the “almost there” moments of faith.
These aren’t seasons of abandonment—they’re sacred spaces where our faith gets refined, our character gets strengthened, and our dependence on God gets deepened. But that doesn’t make them any less difficult to navigate.
The Four Faces of In Between Living
Through years of pastoral ministry and personal experience, I’ve observed four common vulnerabilities that surface when we’re living in the in between:
Confusion clouds our vision when God’s ways don’t align with our expectations. Impatience gnaws at our peace when His timing doesn’t match our timeline. Doubt whispers questions about His faithfulness when circumstances seem to contradict His promises. And insecurity shakes our confidence when we can’t see the next step clearly.
Sound familiar? You’re in good company—even the greatest biblical heroes wrestled with these same struggles.
Making Faith Real in the Waiting
The beautiful truth is that God hasn’t left us to figure out the in between on our own. For every vulnerability we face, He offers a corresponding grace. When confusion comes, He provides revelation through His Word and Spirit. When impatience threatens our peace, He calls us to deeper trust. When doubt creeps in, He strengthens our faith through community and testimony. When insecurity unsettles us, He anchors us in His unchanging character.
But how do we practically live this out? How do we make faith real when everything feels uncertain?
An Invitation to Go Deeper
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a series of five articles designed specifically for those of you navigating your own “in between” seasons. We’ll explore five essential thoughts that can transform your waiting from mere endurance into purposeful growth:
- Post 1: “The In-Between: When God’s Promise Feels Delayed”
- Post 2: “Moses: The Leader Who Lived In The In-Between”
- Post 3: “The Four Emotional Vulnerabilities of the In-Between”
- Post 4: “The Spiritual Battle of the In-Between”
- Post 5: “5 Anchors For Thriving In The In-Between”
Each article will combine biblical truth with practical application, offering you tools not just to survive the in between, but to thrive in it.
Your Faith Story Matters
Whether you’re waiting for healing, praying for breakthrough in relationships, seeking direction for your calling, or wrestling with unanswered questions, your story matters. The in between isn’t a detour from God’s plan—it’s often the very place where His deepest work happens in our hearts.
I’d love to hear about your own in between experiences as we journey through this series together. What vulnerabilities have you faced? What has helped you stay faithful in the waiting? Your insights could be exactly what another reader needs to hear.
Ready to make faith real in the in between? Follow me to receive each article in this series directly to your inbox, and join our community of believers committed to living faithfully in every season.
Phil Strong is a pastor, speaker, and host of the “Coffee with Phil” podcast. He’s passionate about helping Christians navigate the real challenges of faith with biblical wisdom and practical hope. Connect with Phil and access more resources at https://philstrong.com.