Let's be honest. When we pray, what are we REALLY hoping for? Obviously, we are praying in hopes of getting the answer "we" want, and at times, that will come to pass. When it does, what will we do? We will "praise" Jesus and tell everyone how great our God is for answering our prayer! BUT, what happens when that answer is the OPPOSITE of what we had "hoped"? Well, at best we are silent. At worst, we are ANGRY to no end. "How can a GOOD God allow this to happen?" we may say (and maybe even share with others). When God's answer is "no", there's a reason and we should accept it as it's His will. We don't need to know the "why" because He does, and that's all that matters.
How about when the answer is the dreaded "in between", where we get neither a yea or a nay? It's a situation where an answer may be imminent but just not "quite" yet. This can be one of the most frustrating times as we don't know what to think. "Is God even listening to my prayers?" we may think for days, weeks or even months! The longer we sit in God's "waiting room", the more anxious we become, and the more our faith is stretched. The key here is to not "lose" faith. These are particularly important times in our lives. Will we accept God's "timing" for the answer, or are we going to try and rush ahead of Him in search of it? I HIGHLY recommend that you do the prior, and wait patiently. Not only because it shows obedience to God's will, BUT more importantly, it may be that He has something even BETTER planned than what you had "originally" prayed for! By trying to "force" an up or down vote, we may end up with a hung jury and have to start all over again! Where, by allowing deliberations to continue to a verdict, we are putting our full faith and trust in the judge. And believe me, this is one judge who NEVER gets it wrong! So, whether it's a "yes", "no", "not yet" or a "I've got a better idea", will you wait patiently and then TRUST God's answer? Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
1 Comment
Steve
4/9/2018 06:41:53 am
Right on! Easy to understand until you desperately desire an answer. Faith is peace (wholeness) in the midst of the storm. Jesus is with us and God answered His prayer with "No". Jesus had to drink the cup. But then three days later "The Resurrection". God's no & Jesus' faithfulness in the answer He didn't want changed Everything!
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