When to Wait, When to Work | The Branch

“The standard of biblical obedience is faithfulness, not the fruit” — Pastor Anthony Lombardi

Every follower of Jesus faces the same question at some point.

Should I step in and do something, or should I step back and trust God to move?

In this episode of The Branch, Pastor Matthew Johnson sits down with Pastors Anthony Lombardi and Chris Reed to talk through that tension. God clearly calls His people to obedience. At times, that obedience looks like bold action. Other times, it looks like waiting in silence and trust.

The challenge is knowing the difference.

If we step in when God is saying wait, we risk control. If we step back when God is saying move, we risk disobedience. Both can feel heavy. Both can leave us second-guessing.

So how do we discern when to work and when to wait?

One of the first insights from the discussion is simple but important. Personality matters.

Some people are wired to take initiative. They see a problem and want to fix it. They move quickly. They decide fast. Their temptation is control. They may act without praying. They may assume their instincts are always right.

Others are naturally passive. They prefer to watch and see how things unfold. They process slowly. They avoid confrontation. Their temptation is apathy. They may delay when God is calling them to step forward.

Neither bent is automatically sinful. But both can become sinful if left unchecked.

God is not only concerned with the outcome of a situation. He is concerned with developing the person in the situation. Sometimes He calls the proactive person to slow down and trust. Other times He calls the passive person to step forward in courage.

The goal is not personality change for its own sake. The goal is growth into Christlikeness.

At the heart of this conversation is one central theme. Trust.

When God tells someone to wait, the question is this. Do you trust Him enough to do nothing?

When God tells someone to act, the question is this. Do you trust Him enough to obey?
In both cases, fear is usually present. If I step forward, what will happen? If I step back, will God really come through?

When trust fades, control rises. We step in because we want to manage the outcome. Or we step back because we want to protect ourselves.

Trust releases control. It says, God, I will respond to You and leave the results in Your hands.

One of the clearest anchors in the episode is the reminder that obedience is measured by faithfulness, not visible outcomes.

As Pastor Anthony explains, “the standard of biblical obedience is faithfulness, not the fruit.”

That idea pushes against the culture we live in. We are used to instant results. We expect a straight line from obedience to visible success.

But Scripture shows a different pattern.

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3, reminds believers that “We plant and we water. But it's God who gives the growth, right?” The responsibility of the believer is planting and watering. The growth belongs to God.

Even in Acts 27 and 28, Paul receives a promise that he will be safe. Yet the storm continues. The ship breaks apart. He is later bitten by a snake. The circumstances do not immediately match the promise.

Obedience does not guarantee smooth outcomes. It guarantees that God is working beyond what we can see.

“I think both of those can be wrong depending on the situation, but God is going to use it to mold us and to shape us.” — Pastor Anthony Lombardi

What about the moments when you are sure you stepped in too soon? Or waited too long?
The pastors are honest about this reality. Everyone has moments when they feel they misheard or mishandled a situation.

The first response is repentance. Confess it plainly before God. Acknowledge what happened without excuse.

If others were involved, humility may require going to them as well. A simple admission, such as, I should not have handled that the way I did, can bring healing and clarity.

Growth comes through honest reflection. Instead of spiraling in shame, ask God what He is shaping in you through the mistake.

God’s purposes are not fragile. He is not boxed in by our imperfect obedience.

A large part of stepping forward involves confronting issues in relationships. This requires wisdom.

The model given is grace and truth. Jesus never avoided the truth. Yet He always delivered it in context and love.

Before initiating a difficult conversation, it is wise to ask honest questions.

Have I prayed about this?
What is my motivation?
Do I genuinely care about this person’s good?
Do I have a relational role here?

Sometimes we assume we need to speak when we are not actually positioned to do so. Other times, we hide behind spiritual language to avoid speaking when we should.

Discernment requires both humility and courage.

One of the most practical questions in the episode is this. What do you do when you have prayed, sought counsel, searched Scripture, and still feel no clear direction?

There are seasons when God does not give a sharp yes or no.

In those moments, the pastors encourage believers to keep doing what they already know is right. Stay faithful in current responsibilities. Continue honoring God in clear areas of obedience.

When facing a decision such as a job change, it is appropriate to use the wisdom God has already given. Consider character. Consider gifting. Consider whether the opportunity aligns with biblical truth.

There may be times when both options are morally good. In those cases, God may allow freedom. The relationship with Him continues no matter which door is chosen.

The fear that one wrong move will permanently derail life does not reflect the heart of God. He is present, active, and able to redirect.

Not every leading from God feels dramatic.

Sometimes the Spirit brings a sudden conviction. Other times, the leading is slow and progressive. Over weeks or months, God shapes the heart until clarity emerges.

This slow work is not a weakness. It is love.

Just as a wise parent prepares a child before delivering a hard truth, God prepares His people. He softens fear. He addresses hidden wounds. He builds trust.

Discernment grows in a relationship, not in isolation.

“We plant, and we water. But it's God who gives the growth, right?” — Pastor Anthony Lombardi

Toward the end of the conversation, the importance of knowing the Word of God becomes clear.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would bring to remembrance what He had taught. That means the Spirit often works by illuminating the truth that has already been planted in the heart.

Without Scripture, it becomes easy to confuse emotions with God’s voice. People can justify almost anything by claiming peace about it.

Scripture provides guardrails. It shapes wisdom. It corrects selfish impulses. It reveals the character of God.

The Spirit will never lead in a way that contradicts the Word.

A life saturated in Scripture creates a foundation for discernment. Over time, believers learn to recognize God’s voice because it sounds like the God revealed in His Word.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches His followers to pray, Your kingdom come, Your will be done. That posture shapes every decision.

Believers are not required to ask God about every minor detail of daily life. Yet there is a daily invitation. Lord, guide me. Correct me. Lead me.

That open-handed posture prepares the heart for both waiting and working.
When God says wait, we trust.

When God says move, we obey.

When we are unsure, we remain faithful in what we already know.

The measure is not an immediate success. The measure is trust expressed through obedience.

If you have ever wrestled with whether to step forward or stand still, you are not alone. The Christian life is not about perfect decision-making. It is about walking closely with the One who leads.