I had to write about this topic because I needed to do a mental reset. I’ve been feeling resentful because God hasn’t answered a prayer I’ve been praying for several years. It isn’t even a spiritual kind of prayer. I’ve been asking for material blessings in my business. Not to get rich or even have more. Just to take care of business expenses that have built up. I know. My life isn’t in desperate straits. I’m not sick or alone. It seemed so mundane and simple for God to just bless my business. No big deal for him. Why wouldn’t he? I’ve worked hard, I’ve studied hard, I’ve implemented good business strategies, and upgraded my skills. But still nothing and now I’m at an age that I can’t do all the physical things involved in my business. Then I decided to sell some items I no longer need and use the money for my business. Not one thing sold. So why didn’t God come through? I won’t even mention the decades dear Husband and I have been praying for something much more important and heartbreaking than money. But in that case, I know that each person chooses to believe or not believe. So I’m not tempted to blame God when someone doesn’t believe. But couldn’t he just send me a little business, or make my items sell? It’s such a small thing to him.

Well, apparently he’s giving me something much bigger than I asked for! He’s trying to teach me to stop questioning his concern and care for me. Who am I to demand that the God of the universe give me what I want?!! How could I dare impugn his good care for more than seventy years?! Why would I be so petty over money?! Obviously, I have a hang-up he cares enough to deal with. He is patient and kind and doesn’t leave us mired in our faithlessness. He comes alongside and shows us what he is like. Here are some things I’m learning:

God is not a genie in a jar. He isn’t obligated to answer my prayer the way I want him to. I honor God by praying, “not my will, but yours.” I honor him by trusting that he cares for me and gives me good things. In view of the trials that the heroes in the Scriptures endured with faith, I’m ashamed that I get cynical when my prayers go unanswered. If I truly believe God is good and powerfully brings good to his obedient people, I would be happy to leave my needs in his kind hands knowing that he has purposes in my waiting.

God knows what will make us better people. God improves us by not always answering our requests when and how we think he should. We all know people who were spoiled as children and they are still spoiled brats in adulthood – always thinking of themselves and insisting on their own way. God is a wise parent and in his kindness, he constantly works on improving us often by not giving us everything we want. He knows easy is the enemy of strong. And too much is the enemy of better.  (And just possibly he knows I need to take responsibility for unwise business decisions I’ve made along the way.)

God is kind and brings us good. God doesn’t deprive us of good things. Satan has always suggested to humans that God is stingy, that he is withholding something desirable from us. This is how Satan tempts us to violate God’s commands and get what we want for ourselves. He tells us that we should look out for #1 since apparently, God isn’t. Satan suggests that God is depriving us of things we want and even need. But we forget that God provided our very life and each breath we take. He has brought us to this day by his care. He has given us what we needed and protected our lives. How can we harbor the thought that he is mean?!

God knows best. Only he knows what will make us truly happy in the long run. Since he knows the end from the beginning, he knows what we need now to make a good outcome later. We can’t see past the end of our noses and so we can’t know what we need now to equip us for later. God sees the big picture- the future effects of how he answers. We can’t see into the future. Nothing is hidden from him. Much is hidden from us! We don’t know what we truly need or what will make us truly happy. He does know.

God has perfect timing for giving us what we need.
David endured years of living on the run before he became king.
Joseph remained faithful through years of prison before he became prime minister.
Abraham lived like a nomad in tents without ever gaining the security of an earthly home, but he reveled in the thought of his heavenly home.
Moses left luxury, wealth, and influence in order to become the deliverer. He never lived in luxury or wealth again. But he did influence the course of a nation and the world by walking close to God.
Our Lord Jesus prayed that if possible, God would spare him the agony of dying for us. But God gave Jesus so much more than physical deliverance after his willing sacrifice.
Paul, the church planter, prayed for healing from his ailment. God chose not to heal him and Paul accepted that and learned that his illness made him better. His pain reminded him that he needed Jesus desperately. It prevented arrogance and self-sufficiency.

God has the prerogative to decide each person’s story. Some of his faithful followers in the Bible were entrusted with wealth and influence such as the patriarchs and the good kings of Israel. While other faithful ones experienced poverty and opposition like many of the prophets, Jesus himself, and most of his disciples. Many believers right up to our day appear to be unsuccessful, yet God’s evaluation of them has nothing to do with possessions or accomplishments. Accepting our lot in life without fatalism sets us up for contentment and betterment. Chafing under our circumstances sets us up for bitterness, anger, and being stuck. I want to trust in small things so when bigger things come my way, my faith muscle is strong.

“But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love . . .” 1Thessalonians 5:8

“So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” 1 Timothy 6:8

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16