I have desired to move to the Florida gulf for several years. I have prayed and believed. I've put Him first in my life, loved Him and worked to advance His Kingdom. This year, suddenly, He brought everything together for us to move...to a little home in a smaller city in South Carolina. It wasn't Florida, but it was everything we needed most of all. Now, I could have been disappointed, let down, even upset with God and allow it to lessen my faith. But, having reached a place of trust in the Lord, I could clearly see how He had prepared this place for us and it was exactly what we needed for this time. There have been many great trust-building moments in my life, but this is the most recent reminder.
In the non-traditional churches of today we are taught about faith and speaking what we are believing for, without doubting; but we aren't taught how to handle disappointment when we don't receive what we believed for. It is often an uncomfortable conversation between believer and leader.
"Why didn't God answer my prayer?"
"Why weren't they healed?"
"Why didn't I get that job I was perfect for?"
"Why don't they love me? I know we would be perfect together!"
It is in those times, if we pay attention, we will discover how much we actually TRUST God. It is easy to believe He loves us when we are blessed with answered prayers. But can we trust Him when it seems He hasn't given us what we prayed for?
Times of great pain and emotion are not the times to teach about trust. Those lessons should come as a part of being discipled. We have not prepared His people for the times that He says "No".
Trust is not common in our country today, so most of us haven't experienced having complete trust in someone. People have let us down. We've trusted and we've gotten hurt. Trust, once broken, is very difficult to rebuild. We approach God in the same way. We don't freely or naturally trust. We must cultivate trust in God as we have built our faith in God, over time.
We must come to understand that He knows everything and we only see a pinpoint view of what we want. We don't see the big picture. Can you trust that He knows better what you need and what you don't need? He also isn't as concerned with our moment of happiness compared with His purpose and destiny for our lives! That is true unselfish love. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Trust is submitting to God's will for your life, over yours. Even Jesus had to submit and trust His Father's will over His own. "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
It is in those times of disappointment that we grow in our trust, if we will make the effort. In those times, we say, "Lord I trust you. I don't understand, but I trust You. I know You love me and have a plan for my life. I know that whatever You have for me is better than anything I could ever hope or imagine!" Close your eyes and feel it as you say it. Can you feel the "letting go" of what you wanted and grabbing hold of His hand and all that He has for you? Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 When we trust and truly let go of our will, our desires, we will experience His peace that goes beyond anything we could imagine. It is a peace that causes people to look at you in times of sorrow and crisis and wonder how you can be so calm. It is because you trust Your Lord and Savior in every situation. "...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
Don't think you've done something wrong or "prayed wrong" when a prayer isn't answered. Don't blame yourself. Prayers are always answered, God always hears you. It just may not be answered in the way you thought it would. And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:26-28
Now, more than ever, Believers in the Kingdom of God must be prepared, emotionally and mentally strong and always ready for battle. That won't happen by only being fed once a week on what is preached. Your nutritious food is God's Word and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9
Now is the time to build up your spirit. Build your faith and strengthen your trust. Know that no matter how things may look, God has a plan and has orchestrated your best life. You just may not know what that life looks like yet. Trust Him in all things. The world is getting weaker emotionally and mentally every day. Kingdom citizens, it's time to be strong and unmovable and place our complete trust in the Lord! Be a witness to the strength and complete peace that comes from having complete trust in the Lord Jesus.
Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,
Deborah Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
In the non-traditional churches of today we are taught about faith and speaking what we are believing for, without doubting; but we aren't taught how to handle disappointment when we don't receive what we believed for. It is often an uncomfortable conversation between believer and leader.
"Why didn't God answer my prayer?"
"Why weren't they healed?"
"Why didn't I get that job I was perfect for?"
"Why don't they love me? I know we would be perfect together!"
It is in those times, if we pay attention, we will discover how much we actually TRUST God. It is easy to believe He loves us when we are blessed with answered prayers. But can we trust Him when it seems He hasn't given us what we prayed for?
Times of great pain and emotion are not the times to teach about trust. Those lessons should come as a part of being discipled. We have not prepared His people for the times that He says "No".
Trust is not common in our country today, so most of us haven't experienced having complete trust in someone. People have let us down. We've trusted and we've gotten hurt. Trust, once broken, is very difficult to rebuild. We approach God in the same way. We don't freely or naturally trust. We must cultivate trust in God as we have built our faith in God, over time.
We must come to understand that He knows everything and we only see a pinpoint view of what we want. We don't see the big picture. Can you trust that He knows better what you need and what you don't need? He also isn't as concerned with our moment of happiness compared with His purpose and destiny for our lives! That is true unselfish love. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Trust is submitting to God's will for your life, over yours. Even Jesus had to submit and trust His Father's will over His own. "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
It is in those times of disappointment that we grow in our trust, if we will make the effort. In those times, we say, "Lord I trust you. I don't understand, but I trust You. I know You love me and have a plan for my life. I know that whatever You have for me is better than anything I could ever hope or imagine!" Close your eyes and feel it as you say it. Can you feel the "letting go" of what you wanted and grabbing hold of His hand and all that He has for you? Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 When we trust and truly let go of our will, our desires, we will experience His peace that goes beyond anything we could imagine. It is a peace that causes people to look at you in times of sorrow and crisis and wonder how you can be so calm. It is because you trust Your Lord and Savior in every situation. "...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
Don't think you've done something wrong or "prayed wrong" when a prayer isn't answered. Don't blame yourself. Prayers are always answered, God always hears you. It just may not be answered in the way you thought it would. And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:26-28
Now, more than ever, Believers in the Kingdom of God must be prepared, emotionally and mentally strong and always ready for battle. That won't happen by only being fed once a week on what is preached. Your nutritious food is God's Word and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9
Now is the time to build up your spirit. Build your faith and strengthen your trust. Know that no matter how things may look, God has a plan and has orchestrated your best life. You just may not know what that life looks like yet. Trust Him in all things. The world is getting weaker emotionally and mentally every day. Kingdom citizens, it's time to be strong and unmovable and place our complete trust in the Lord! Be a witness to the strength and complete peace that comes from having complete trust in the Lord Jesus.
Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,
Deborah Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
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