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LOVE DISPLAYED

Hey friends, how are you today? How am I, you ask? Thank you for asking… I am fine, in fact, I feel great today.  I just heard the most beautiful sounds of a cardinal.  It reminded me that spring is right around the corner.  It reminded me that the God who cares for him, (because the pretty birds are male, and God has a sense of humor) also cares for me and His care is all that I need.  That reminder brought hope that in spite of how this day may have begun, my God is bigger.  How are you today? 

MY GOD IS BIGGER

Do you believe there is a God? Do you believe He is all powerful? Do you believe He cares for you? Do you believe He loves you, unconditionally, unwaveringly, and unfailingly? Do you trust Him? Do you believe that? Really… do you undoubtedly, unquestionably, surely believe that? What’s your instinctive reaction when troubles and trials come your way? Do you immediately, with open hands, surrender them and the outcome to the Lord? 

MY GOD LOVES COMPLETELY

I think if we are honest with ourselves, the answer would probably be ‘no’. It’s not that I don’t want to, but trusting the Lord takes time.  Yes, I believe unequivocally that my God does exist.  I believe that He is all powerful, but sometimes, although I don’t always realize this at the time, I don’t always believe He cares for me, nor do I believe He loves me, and He wants the best for me.  I love this verse in Psalms 73:2

GOD’S TIMING IS BEST. 

Did you know that Sarah, Abraham’s wife, and let’s not forget Moses, and who could forget Thomas, also had difficulty in totally trusting the Lord? Sometimes it’s refreshing to know that my struggle isn’t a new thing.  I grapple with the fact that my time isn’t always God’s time.  I struggle when I pray for something and years later, I am still praying for that very request.

MY GOD IS FAITHFUL

Yes, I’ve seen the faithfulness of my great God throughout the years, but sometimes when a new trial comes my way and time passes and seemingly the end isn’t in sight, my instinctive reaction is to doubt His care.  Instinctively I find myself securing my heart to keep me from the pain of unanswered prayer.  I question His love and care.  “If He cares”, I wonder, “why hasn’t He answered this prayer?”  

UNANSWERED PRAYER IS ANSWERED PRAYER.

We know there are three responses to prayer, “yes, wait, no”. But as people, we struggle with “wait and no”. I think it’s innate.  We want what we want.  I am thankful now my parents didn’t give me everything I wanted. I am thankful that as a parent, I used the words, no and wait to our kids.  Yet I want the God who holds the world in His hand to say “yes” to me all the time.  Can it be, I know better than He does? 

MY GOD IS A CHEERFUL GIVER 

It’s not hard to forget that the God of the Universe is not man.  Because we are mere man and are surrounded by mere man, sometimes without our intent, we allow our circumstances to dictate our beliefs and we begin to place our God among the humans.  He hears before we speak, He acts before time began, He knows before even our thoughts.  He understands we are finite; we are bound by space and time and though He has no bounds, He knows our limits.  After all, He placed those limits on us. 

LET’S BE CAREFUL…

Unanswered prayers can lead to frustrations and even anger at times.  It can also lead to depression and anxiety.  Does God not care? Does He not realize how desperately we want this? How important it is to us? Have you ever asked these questions? Perhaps for this wayward child? Or is it for the salvation of a spouse or dear friend? What should our response be when God is silent? 

MY GOD SPEAKS LOUDEST IN THE SILENCE. 

There is nothing more detrimental to a Christian when he gives up on God.  Yet there are so many who wonder into this forlorn space.  Can I share a secret with you? This happens when what I desire is greater than my desire for God Himself.  When this ‘thing’ supersedes God and moves to the first place in my heart, then unanswered prayer becomes the ultimate crushing blow.  

TRUST HIS WORD, LISTEN TO HIS HEART.

There is also another response to unanswered prayer, apathy.  To protect ourselves from the pain, we detach, we determine to feel nothing, to be indifferent.  Prayer becomes, “well You are going to do what You want anyway…”.  Prayer is surface and unintentional.  I know, I’ve been there too.  I must admit, I am not the perfect Christian. I suppose that’s why I can tell you today of my Heavenly Father’s faithfulness.  

MY GOD IS TRUSTWORTHY. 

If you are there, don’t stay there, friend.  Surrender that desire to the Lord, give it to Him.  Let Him keep that request safe.  Don’t place a time limit, trust Him, and believe Him for the best outcome. Believe that whatever His plans are for you, they are great and wonderful.  Trust Him with that child, spouse, job, finance, health.  But Trust Him more…

How do you respond to ‘un‘answered prayer? 

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28 responses to “LOVE DISPLAYED”

  1. Thank you Brenda. I’ve asked so many of the questions you mentioned when things were not going my way. I’m learning that waiting and trusting God grows our faith. I’m thankful God always knows what is best for us. And He works things out for our good. Blessings!

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  3. I view unanswered prayer a bit differently. The prayer is never unanswered but is answered differently than I pictured it to be or is in the wait period while God is working the answer into reality. Or is the no answer and using that for our good. So, we give thanks always – although I do falter at this at times.

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  5. Your words are so very true: “Because we are mere man and are surrounded by mere man, sometimes without our intent, we allow our circumstances to dictate our beliefs and we begin to place our God among the humans.”

    I know I’m guilty of this!! We must diligently keep Him in our thoughts and over our heart each and every moment!!

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  6. Thanks for a deep and thoughtful post about how we all fall down in our faith. I especially like your line “Don’t place a time limit, trust Him, and believe Him for the best outcome.” I often put a time limit on God’s promises to me, and forget how long Joseph had to wait in prison for his vision to be fulfilled. God bless you and your ministry!

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  7. Brenda, this is beautiful! God’s timing is best! I trust our faithful and loving God. Admittedly, like you’ve so beautifully detailed, it’s hard on the “not yet” or “no” answers of prayer. You’ve reminded us through HIS word, your wisdom, and wonderful words, just how BIG our God is–he is ever so near us, hovering over us (just like the beautiful bird sounds you heard–and let’s talk about that amazing picture!! 🙂 wanting us to experience his joy in HIS timing. HE KNOWS! When I began blogging it was after falling “flat on my faith” over and over. Questioning his will won’t change it. I’ve embraced it and had many growing pains (and still do at times). I best get out of HIS way to stay in HIS will! You are a light and inspiration in spreading the Good News of our Savior! Praise God! 💕

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    • Love that “questioning His will, will not change it”. I just need to remember that. When my will aligns with His, it is easier but when my desires do not align with His will, then the battle begins. Thankfully He is our Strength and He gives us what we need to be faithful to Him

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      • Amen, Brenda. I ended up alone, long story,…and living in my RV for 4 years, feeling a sense of “abandonment”, loss of career due to health, both sons joined Air Force, then…this cancer. It got to a point where God knew I would just giggle and say, “Ok! What’s next!” All those things I planned at 22 are not what I expect at almost 54. YET–My life is RICHER and more ABUNDANT. Hourly I surrender now. Lord, I’m yours. I give him the glory for his strength. And because I’m here, I can’t help but praise him and thank him. I know you love him like that too. It’s such a joy to be walking home with you!!!❤️❤️❤️

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  9. I always a think Thomas is given a bad and undeserved rap when people talk about “doubting Thomas.” NONE of the disciples could believe Jesus was risen before they saw Him themselves.
    Father, in His infinite wisdom, specifically had Jesus show up once when Thomas was absent. I give Thomas extra credit for being available to take all the bad talk his reputation has endured so that Jesus could say to him, and him alone, “Because you have seen Me, have you now believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
    He could have said it to the other 10, but gave Tommy a special place of recognition.😉

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  10. Oh, that’s a tough one. “what I desire is greater than my desire for God Himself.”

    We think we’re so smart, and have things all figured out, and present our genius plan to God; and it falls flat. It never happens, our plans go all askew, and we look at God and wonder why He didn’t listen to us in the first place. “Things would have gone so much better if…” It’s a great path to bitterness and hopelessness.

    I love this post of yours. What great reminders that God is greater, more wise, more loving… perfect, actually. And that we must always give our ideas, our plans, our desires to God Almighty Who knows all things better than we do. And what peace He brings as we abide in Him!

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