Do Patience and Trust Go Hand in Hand? (Lessons from Saul’s Big Mistake in 1 Samuel 13)

Chris Corradino
Aug 7
4 min read

Spoiler: Yes—they absolutely do.

Short Answer:

Yes. Patience and trust are deeply connected. You can’t truly wait on God unless you trust Him—and when trust breaks down, so does patience. Just ask King Saul.

The Real Question:

“What am I supposed to do when I’m waiting on God, but it feels like He’s not showing up?”

We’ve all been there.

You pray. You wait. You check your spiritual clock a few times. And then, when nothing seems to be happening, you start wondering:

“Maybe I need to help God out.”
“Maybe I’m waiting for something that’s not coming.”
“Maybe I should just take things into my own hands.”

That’s exactly what happened to Saul in 1 Samuel 13. His story is a cautionary tale, but also an invitation to understand what it really means to wait on God with both patience and trust.

Let’s Set the Scene: What Happened in 1 Samuel 13?

Here’s a quick recap:

Saul has just become king of Israel.
The Philistines (Israel’s enemies) are gathering to fight.
Saul’s troops are scared and starting to scatter.
The prophet Samuel had told Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal before offering a sacrifice.
On the seventh day, Samuel still hasn’t arrived. The pressure is intense.
So Saul says, “Bring me the burnt offering,” and offers it himself—something only a priest was allowed to do.

Almost immediately after he finishes, Samuel shows up. And he is not happy.

“You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God… but now your kingdom shall not continue.”— 1 Samuel 13:13–14, ESV

Ouch.

Why Was This Such a Big Deal?

From the outside, it seems like Saul was just trying to do something spiritual in a crisis. But here’s what actually happened:

Saul didn’t just lose his patience—he lost his trust.

He was told to wait.He almost made it.But at the last moment, he gave in to fear.And instead of trusting that God would come through, he took control.

That moment cost him his legacy. God removed the kingdom from Saul and eventually gave it to someone “after His own heart” (that would be David).

So… Do Patience and Trust Go Hand in Hand?

Absolutely.

Think of it this way:

Patience is the ability to wait.
Trust is the confidence in who you’re waiting for.

You can’t truly have one without the other.

You might be able to fake patience for a while, but the moment trust fades, so does your willingness to wait. That’s what happened to Saul. He waited… until he didn’t believe God would show up. And that’s when the damage was done.

In other words:

Patience without trust is just procrastination. Trust without patience is just anxiety in disguise.

But together? They form the kind of faith God is looking for.

How Does This Apply to Us Today?

We all face “Gilgal moments”—times when:

The pressure is on.
The deadline feels like it’s passed.
People are expecting you to act.
God feels late.

And in those moments, we’re tempted to move ahead of God instead of waiting with Him.

But here’s the thing:

God isn’t just testing your patience—He’s inviting you to trust Him.

It’s not about how long you can wait… it’s about whether you believe He’s worth waiting for.

So, What Should I Do When I’m Struggling to Wait?

Here are a few things that might help:

1. Name the Pressure

What’s making you feel like you need to act now? Fear? Insecurity? Expectations from others? Often, just naming the pressure helps loosen its grip.

2. Return to God’s Word

Saul had a clear instruction: “Wait.”What has God spoken over your life? Go back to it. Remind yourself of His promises. His Word doesn’t expire just because it feels delayed.

3. Pray Honestly

Tell God how hard it is to wait. Don’t pretend. Pour out your fear, your doubt, your frustration—and then ask Him to renew your trust.

4. Stay in Your Lane

Saul got in trouble by stepping into a role that wasn’t his. Sometimes, waiting means not doing something, even when it feels unnatural. Trust God to move when the time is right.

What If I’ve Already Messed Up?

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I already blew it—I rushed ahead and now I’m dealing with the consequences”—take heart.

God is still full of grace.

Saul’s story is a warning, yes. But it’s also a backdrop to the story of Jesus, the true King who waited perfectly:

He waited 30 years before starting His ministry.
He waited in the wilderness.
He waited in Gethsemane.
He waited in the tomb.

And because of His perfect obedience, there is forgiveness for our impatience and hope for a fresh start.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re in a waiting season right now, don’t just grit your teeth and try to “be patient.”

Instead, ask the deeper question:“Do I trust the One I’m waiting on?”

Patience that flows from trust is powerful. It’s peaceful. And it’s the kind of posture that invites God’s best into your life.

So hang in there.Don’t leave Gilgal too early.Your Samuel might be just around the corner.

In Summary:

Yes, patience and trust go hand in hand.
Saul lost both—and it cost him his kingdom.
Waiting isn’t just about endurance; it’s about relationship.
Trust the God who sees what you can’t see, knows what you don’t know, and loves you more than you realize.

Still in a waiting season?

We’d love to pray with you or hear your story. Drop a comment or send a message. You’re not alone in the waiting.