Praying for the same thing over and over can feel foolish. If God wanted to answer I think He would go ahead and offer the answer. But I’m learning over and over again that God’s way is not the way I think it should be. It’s complicated for my human mind to comprehend. Sometimes when I’m hoping for a “yes” right away, He says absolutely not. Why this conflict of desires and ideas?

I love God and I do my best to stay in tune with what He wants for my life so this rejection feels harsh as if He doesn’t hear or know the entire story. But the truth is He knows more than what I can see. He sees so much farther down the road. He sees the intricate selfish motives of my heart. He sees the ripple effect that goes farther than my mind can comprehend. He knows every single detail deeper and wider than I could ever imagine. 

So these wait-and-see moments aren’t all bad. In fact, they are the best is yet to come. It’s comforting to take a step back and look at the times God has said,

Um, no.
I don’t think so.
Not right now.
Just wait.
Later.
Another time.
A little longer.
Next year.
In a few years. 

All these waiting answers make me frustrated sometimes because I want the answer now! I know you’ve had your own prayers that have received these waiting answers. It’s hard to hear. 

The comfort is not in the waiting, but in knowing that God’s plan is bigger. So I’m learning to rest in the knowing. It’s a way of changing my longing for answers into loving and trusting. When I change my selfish desires from, “God, please give me this,” to “God, I trust you and love you and I know you are answering in your time and way,” I begin to rest.

It’s not easy.

Much easier to type than live.

But it’s a good thing.

Even great. Waiting is hard, but trusting is good. Waiting is frustrating, but loving is invigorating. It’s an energy shift.

Rather than focusing all my energy on begging and asking God for all that I think I need and want, I’m learning to shift my prayers into leaning and loving. 

It might look something like this:

Rather than, “God, please give us the answer for this need.”

You might say, “God, I believe you are answering in your perfect time and way. I love that you are in complete control. And that gives me peace.”

Then rest in that peace. No begging. No nagging. No worrying. Only trusting and believing God will do what He promises because He always does. 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

Love & Blessings,