Wednesday, September 09, 2009

HE Doesn't Need Options

Have you ever talked with children about prayer? When we do lessons about prayer in Sunday school, we tell the children that when we pray God will always answer us. Always.
Sometimes He says, Yes.
Sometimes He says, No.
And sometimes He says, Wait.
It's a straight-forward lesson, and the kids seem to get it. The answer will be yes, or no, or wait.

Well, I have recently been praying about something and had become quite frustrated because I didn't think God was answering me. And I didn't get it! I was loving toward Him. I was sincere. I didn't think I was being selfish. All I asked of Him is that He would either confirm or deny the concern in my heart.
But He did neither.
And one evening I expressed my frustration about the situation to Brian. I said, "I just want an answer!!!" Brian looked at me lovingly and said, "Maybe He's saying, Wait."
I sat with that thought for a few seconds and replied, "But I didn't give Him that option. I asked for a confirmation or a denial!"
That's when it hit me. HE doesn't need options. God does not need me to suggest which answer is the best one to give me. HE, alone, knows what is best.
Oh, sometimes I challenge God regarding what He knows is best. Sometimes I forget who I am, and I think I know better than Him. But He is so patient. He waits for me to willingly wait. And in His perfect time (which might not take as long if I would just "get it" a little sooner!) He gives me the Yes, or the No.

How are you doing today? Are you waiting, too? Or fighting the wait? Are you wanting to give God options regarding how He can answer your prayers?
May He cover you with peace, as you trust that His answer is perfect.

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7 comments:

Leah Adams said...

Karen,

I have a friend who says that sometimes she puts on her "Mrs. God" button and tries to do His job for HIm. I think we are all guilty of that. We want what we want when we want it and He needs to jump to it. Been there many times and you know, He never seems to do it my way. When am I going to learn??

Praise Him for HIs forgiveness and mercy over us!!

Leah

LauraLee Shaw said...

This is a slice of life I'm sure many will relate to. God says "wait" to me more often than yes or no. It is in the waiting, that I grow more dependent upon Him. Great post!

Anonymous said...

FUNNY! "It's not an option God!" The waiting is the desert season, isn't it? You'd love Jane Ruietta's book on desert seasons.

Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19 said...

I am in wait about Anton going to Korea. We've been praying that God cancels that assignment to Korea and that our family stays together.

It's been getting rougher for me lately, the waiting.

smooches,
Larie

Anonymous said...

The waiting truly is the hardest part, isn't it?! I always forget "the wait" answer too...but lately, when I pray, I find myself asking for whatever the situation is, to just work out the way it's meant to...this has given me a lot of peace while I wait.

Great post! (as usual!)
Patricia nyc

Ronel said...

So, I am not suppose to give Him options huh? LOL I so do this all the time and get frustrated yet when I finally release and let Him have control I am so thankful and happy yet all too often I have to fight myself to let Him have the control... wonderful post thanks for sharing!!

Anonymous said...

Do you remember that Garth Brooks had a song that says "I thank God for unanswered prayer". I'm with you and always thought he needed to re-write those lyrics. Great blog!! I found you on Melanie's site. I'm praying for her Son Andrew.