From Heartache to Healing: How Faith and Waiting in the Outdoors Taught One Pastor to Truly Seek God

Pastor James Hampton watched his wife face a terrifying cancer battle, he found himself reaching the end of his own strength.

He had spent years pursuing his own plans, but the weight of fear and frustration pushed him into the quiet places of prayer. It was in the middle of that painful trial that God began teaching him a profound lesson about patience, surrender, and perseverance.

Years later, while spending over 100 long, silent hours in a deer stand before harvesting a 150-inch buck, the connection clicked.

In hunting, success requires hours of quiet waiting, deep focus, and steady endurance for a moment that changes everything in seconds. James realized our walk with God works the very same way.

Drawing from James 1:2-3, he saw how God uses seasons of waiting-whether in a hospital room or the quiet woods-to build unwavering endurance inside us.

Sitting in that tree stand with his camo Bible open to Psalm 14:2, James felt God challenge his heart: I want you to seek Me with the same passion, time, and heart that you give to the hunti That pivotal moment inspired him and his twin brother, Chad, to launch Huntin’ the Truth Ministries and author their devotional,

“100 Days of Strength for Hunters,” helping others pursue God with total devotion.

So often, we want immediate answers to our prayers. But God is frequently working most deeply in the waiting, shaping our character and drawing us closer to Him.

When you feel stuck in a season of waiting, remember that God is never idle. He is teaching you to trust His timing and seek Him with all your heart.