As we find ourselves in the lowest and darkest places, we tend to ask; “GOD where are YOU?”
When the world starts to clench you with its cold gripping hands, it’s hard to see where GOD has gone. It is as though GOD has stranded us in the desert without any food or water. Leaving us to the vultures to feast on as we get weaker.
We pray and we cry out to GOD to rid us of this pain and suffering. And sometimes it doesn’t lighten up. It feels like a never ending journey of pain and agony. Dragging us down like a ball and chain. We wonder if HE even hears us. Then we begin to fill ourselves with doubt. Questioning our self worth and the love that GOD has for us. We sometimes even begin to lose faith.
- Has GOD forgotten about me?
- Did HE stop caring for me?
- Has HE stopped loving me?
- Am I worth HIS time?
- Have I gone too far and HE has abandoned me?
But GOD hasn’t gone anywhere!
Yes, at times it may seem like GOD has left us, but HE never left. During those times when we pray and we don’t hear from HIM or we feel abandoned, just remember; HE is getting everything ready!
The 3 Responses GOD Gives When Bringing Needs To HIM
Even though we always want a “YES” answer for everything that we pray for, GOD sometimes has a different answer for HIS plans.
1) Sometimes HIS answer is “yes“
Isn’t it awesome to get what we ask for? Of course it is!
GOD answers “yes” to many of our prayers. Some even before they become for-wishing. It’s so awesome to ask for something and it is given to us. When receiving a yes, that’s when everything is good and everyone is happy.
Receiving a yes is a form of confirmation.
Many times, I’ll have a conversation with someone or there is a preaching of the exact same thing I was just praying about. It’s a way of knowing that GOD is in fact there. There are no questions or doubts. Everything is clear skies and rainbows.
It is especially wonderful to receive a yes when we are going through a trialing time. But if GOD says “yes” to something, and only half of it gets taken care of, don’t lose hope. We must stay faithful through it all.
When GOD says “yes,” HE is faithful to heal every single aspect of our need in all details.
Remember: GOD will never answer “yes” to any prayer that goes against HIS Word. James 1:13 tells us: “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.”
2) Sometimes GOD’s answer is “not yet, but my timing is perfect.”
Even though this isn’t a no, it’s still pretty frustrating. We live in a world where everything is at our fingertips and we do not have to wait around for things. Everything is “I want it, and I want it now!”
Why do I have to wait?
First, we need to remember that GOD’S timing is perfect. In our seasons of struggle, it is so hard to wonder why GOD is taking so long to rescue us.
During some of my hardest seasons, I grew impatient. I wondered if GOD forgot what HE promised me. But HE didn’t. In fact, HE was preparing me for the next season of my life. And to be honest, I wouldn’t appreciate half of the things in my life if GOD hadn’t made me wait.
When I turned 19, I had already finished my schooling and I found a career that paid me very well. I had become determined to find a place of my own. (I couldn’t bare living in the place where I had been abused any longer). During my prayer time, I asked GOD to help me find something affordable for me,and HE told me to “wait”. Wait, What? I replied “GOD, I can’t do this anymore. The memories in my home are not the best. I am depressed, and I need a new surrounding.” But still, my answer was “wait”
To be honest, I could not believe my answer was wait. SO I decided to take matters into my own hands and I went apartment searching. I could not find a place to save my life! Frustrated, I asked GOD “why are you doing this to me?” and HE answered; “Why aren’t you trusting me?” Talk about a humbling moment. Right then and there, I gave it all to GOD and trusted HIS timing.
HE’S an “on-time” GOD!
About a month later, I started dating my husband. Two years later, we got married and moved across the country. A year after that, we were blessed with a beautiful house and our family began to grow. The rest is history!
Although I had to wait two years to move out, I was blessed beyond anything I could imagine. All I was asking for was an apartment across town. And GOD blessed me with a husband, a new surrounding across the country, and a beautiful house.
Two years may sound like a long time, but look at the blessings! We have to remember that GOD is working all things out for our good in HIS perfect timing.
3) Sometimes GOD’S answer is “No“
Oh the dreaded no!
Who wants to hear a no, especially when it’s for a need? We want GOD to bless us and take us out of these certain situations. But sometimes, that’s not always the case.
Being 8 years in my field of massage therapy, I had encountered yet another sexual assault. (Wasn’t this chapter over?) I was absolutely dumbfounded this time, and had no idea what to do. I loved my career! Convinced, I for sure thought that if I had opened my own place of business instead of working for someone else, this would never happen again.
After I had taken about a month off, I began my search to open up my own spa. In my prayer time, GOD had told me to just trust HIM. Honestly, I took that answer as; “HE’S getting the right place for you.” I had found a wonderful little place to start my business, but my business license never came. Nothing was falling through. I didn’t understand what was going on.
It’s not always a bad thing.
In the midst of everything, I had started on a road back to depression. As I began thinking of going to work and being in a treatment room with someone by myself, I began to have panic attacks. Every time I prayed, I received the same answer; “Everything will be OK. Just trust ME.” But how could everything be OK when my career was falling to pieces? How would it be OK when I am unable to help provide for my family because I was paranoid to go back to my field? The life I had created was burning right in front of me!
I had remembered what GOD did for me through my struggles. As I looked back, HIS “no” to my plans didn’t seem so bad anymore.
A few months later, my dear friend and I started this ministry. I was also given the opportunity to further my education.
I thought I was going to be in the spa industry for the rest of my life, but GOD had something greater for me. Something I couldn’t have dreamed of in a thousand years.
It’s easy to get caught up in a “no” answer. Wondering what we did to deserve a “no” from GOD. That has nothing to do with it. It’s about; what does GOD have in store for me?
We forget that GOD sees the entire picture, when we can only see a piece of it. Even when GOD says “no,” we must trust in HIM. HE has the best intentions for us, for HE is our Heavenly Father.
We are here!
We would love to hear some awesome things GOD has done in your lives! Was there a time GOD gave you an answer you weren’t expecting?
If you are in a rough season and are in need of some prayer, we would love to pray for you. There isn’t anything too big or too small GOD can’t handle.