When Faith Feels Silent: Trusting God in the In-Between

There’s a unique kind of heartache that comes when you believe you’re doing everything right, praying, waiting, stepping out in faith and yet the doors you know would bless your life just won’t seem to open.

Recently, I walked through one of those painful seasons. I found a job opportunity that seemed like a perfect fit. It was faith-based, family-friendly, no Sunday work, holidays off, less stress than retail management (that’s a bonus!), it would have given me a financial breather with my kids' school tuition. In every way, it felt like the answer to so many prayers.

 I applied. Then I applied again. And again. Over five times.

Out of all those applications, I only got two interviews. Each time, I felt a surge of hope... only to be overlooked, again.

I wrestled with God during this time.“Lord, this isn’t just for me, this would help my family. It would help my faith. It would help my finances. Why wouldn’t You open this door?”

I felt confused, hurt, and honestly, a little betrayed. Wasn't I following His lead? Wasn't I seeking a place where I could grow spiritually and honor Him better with my time and energy? Why the silence?

But in those heavy, quiet spaces the “in-between” moments where answers don’t come and nothing makes sense, I learned something deeper about trust.

Faith isn’t real faith if it only exists when the doors swing wide open.

Real trust says:

"Even if the door stays closed, you are still good."

"Even if I don't understand, you still have a plan."

"Even when I can't hear You, you're still working behind the scenes."

It’s easy to talk about trust when life feels aligned and smooth. It's another thing entirely when the prayers you prayed in tears seem to return in silence.

But God does some of His best work in the silence.

The truth is, I don't know why those doors didn't open. Maybe He was protecting me from something I couldn’t see. Maybe He’s preparing a better opportunity, one that truly matches the desires He placed in my heart. Maybe He’s simply teaching me that my worth isn’t tied to any title, paycheck, or position.

I’m still in the "in-between" right now. Still waiting, still trusting (even on the days when it’s hard). But one thing I do know:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."— Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

God’s silence isn’t His absence. His "no" or "not yet" isn't cruelty, it’s grace. It’s His careful hand shaping a story bigger than I can see from my small view.

If you’re walking through a silent season too, let me encourage you: Don't give up. Don't stop praying. Don't stop believing that God has good things planned for you, even if right now, you feel stuck in the hallway waiting for the right door to open.

You are not forgotten. You are not overlooked. You are seen, loved, and carried, even here, in the in-between.

And when the right door finally opens, it won’t be because you pushed hard enough. It will be because God in His perfect, beautiful timing, swung it wide open for you.

I'm holding onto that hope with both hands. I pray you will too.

Love and Grace,

Raquel