Lately it has been bittersweet seeing God working in other people's lives. Don't get me wrong, it is great to see God working and answering people's prayers, but sometimes it feels like I'm forgotten. To be honest sometimes I become jealous seeing how God is working in someone else's life when I can't see Him working in my own. I go to Him and seek Him for guidance but sometimes it feels like my prayers are cast into a void. I know this is so untrue and one prayer does not get overlooked or is unanswered by God, but sometimes that is just how I feel.
Sometimes I wish I could see God working in my life and answering my prayers like I see with other people around me. I have gone to God with so many issues on my heart recently and I feel like He hasn't answered. I can't feel Him with me and I wish I could just see a small glimpse that He's working and in control.
I feel like it is in these times that God truly tests my faith. It shows me what I'm really made of and how I react when I have nothing left, nothing under control and I've got nothing to give but myself and my faith in Him. It is during these times that it shows me that when everything is a mess God is the one true thing that I can always go to for reliance.
Even though it may feel like my prayers are unanswered and God seems far away, I know that God always has an answer to my prayers, but it may just not be the answer I'd like. It could be that it is not the right time yet or it is not for my best. When I don't feel like God hears me or is with me, I know that it is just me doubting and Satan trying to get me to question God's sovereignty. God always promises to be with us and to never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Sometimes we think our prayers aren't being answered and God's not working in our lives, but sometimes it takes digging a little deeper than just looking on the surface. We may be looking for certain answers to our prayers, but often God answers them in different ways that we might imagine. We might be looking for God to answer us in a specific way, but God could be using our prayer to strengthen our relationship with Him or He's working in a way we weren't even looking for. God's answers to our prayers may be different, but they are always for our benefit. God's up to something in your life, you may just not be aware of it!
Sometimes it feels like God is giving you more than you can handle and you can't take what you are dealing with one minute longer. God knows how much you can take and He is using what you are going through to teach you something. Use the struggling you are going through to deepen your faith with God, not dry it up. Keep living a life for God and doing what's right even when everyone else around you may tell you differently. Keep trusting in God even when everything around you tells you to doubt and lose faith. God is working even when you can't see it and some things we will only know their impact when we reach heaven. In due time God will restore your life and you will be able to look back at this time in your life and see that He had never left your side. One day you will see the purpose of what you are going through and see it was all worth it. Never underestimate God's power and discretion, He always knows what is best.
Psalm 71:20
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again, from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
Dueteronomy 31:8
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Thank you for this encouraging post! A great reminder that God does have everything in control (even when it looks like he's doing nothing) and that we simply need to trust him!
ReplyDeleteWhat type of flower is that? It looks pretty!
Thanks for your comment Lydia! It's a corkscrew flower :) Thanks for dropping by!
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