What to Do When Nothing Is Changing

You’ve sent the applications. You’ve had the conversation at home. You’ve done what you know how to do, and you’re still waiting for something to change.

Meanwhile, you keep showing up for work and caring for the people who depend on you. When someone asks how you’re doing, “fine” is easier than explaining a situation you still don’t understand.

You still have choices about today. Here are 4 places to start.

Try finishing this sentence: “I’m waiting for ___, and the hardest part today is ___.”

Be specific. You might write, “I’m waiting to hear about the job, and the hardest part today is figuring out what to tell my partner.”

Putting the situation into words can help you understand what you need and explain it to someone else. You can start by writing it privately.

Think about one action you could take in the next 24 hours. If you’re waiting to hear about a job, an appropriate follow-up might help. If you’ve already sent one, you may have done everything available on that question today.

Ordinary things still matter. Make dinner. Take a walk. Ask your partner for a few minutes to talk.

Choose something small enough to follow through on: “Today, I will ___ at ___.”

It may have no effect on when you get an answer. It can still help you care for yourself or someone you love.

Think of someone who has listened well before. Send a short message:

“I’m having a hard week with the waiting. Could we talk for 10 minutes tomorrow? I’d appreciate someone listening.”

A clear request gives the other person a way to respond. Ask for a conversation or help with a particular task. Share what feels comfortable, and give them time to answer.

If worry is affecting your daily life, consider talking with a counselor or doctor, too.

Hearing how everything worked out for someone else can be difficult when you still have no answer. You can be glad for them and disappointed about your own situation.

Try saying, “I’m glad things worked out for you. I’m still having a hard time, and I’d like to talk about that.”

Look for someone who can listen without rushing to explain your situation. Ask whether you can check in again next week. You can speak honestly while the outcome is still uncertain.

In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life, his followers are crossing a lake when strong winds batter their boat. Jesus comes toward them, walking on the water. Peter steps out to meet him, becomes afraid, and starts to sink. He calls to Jesus for help.

Jesus immediately reaches out and catches him. Then he questions Peter’s doubt. Peter is already being held when that conversation happens. They return to the boat, and the wind stops. You can read the account in Matthew 14:22–33.

Christians believe Jesus is God’s Son and that his care extends to people who are frightened and unsure. This story gives us reason to ask him for help. It offers no timetable for your situation. You can consider what it suggests about Jesus with your questions still unanswered.

If you’d like to try praying, which means talking to God, you could start here:

“Jesus, I don’t understand what’s happening. I’m unsure what I believe about you. I could use help today.”

Choose one of these steps to try today. Write down what you’ll do and when. Keep it small enough to follow through on, and revisit it later this week.

At Suncrest, we welcome conversations with people who are still figuring out what they believe. You can bring your questions and share at your own pace.