When God answers your prayer...

In a different way, in an unexpected manner, with something that is totally the opposite of what you've hoped or prayed for in the first place, what you would you do?

God answers our prayers in one of 3 ways:
1. Yes
2. No
3. Wait

Yes - The sweetest answer God could ever give us. It excites, motivates and pump our souls up. When God says "Yes", we always always rejoice. We throw thanksgiving parties, host dinners, treats our friends out and delight and be grateful to God.

No - This is one the we don't always expect. We think that God will 100% answer us in the way we would like him to - to say "Yes", and "Go". When God says "No", we cry, we throw ourselves off in sorrow and sometimes we wrestle with God. We keep pleading Him, (sometimes twisting His arms like we used to do when we're younger and wants our mom/dad buy us that cute little toy we're eying on), praying (again) to give us the desires of our heart. When He answers your prayer in a way we don't like, more often that not we (myself included) wonder and ask God "Lord, is this really your answer? Are you really really sure?", "Why does this have to be painful?", "Lord, take this away, it's hurting, I don't want this!". We cry and cry and cry until God Himself will gently remind us that it's us who asked of Him, and He just gave us His answer by giving what He thinks is best for us. Then it will slowly make sense and we'll soon realize that His ways are not our ways, His plans prevail, and He wills what's best for us. When God says "No", it will take most of us a lot of time to ingest, digest and really accept what God says. This is not in any way wrong, but i'm not saying this is the best reaction we could give God when He answers our prayers. However, for some who really desires God's will for their life, they embrace God's "No" the moment it is revealed to them. They still rejoice despite the situation, obey God and move on. (I want to be like them :) God's "No" should deepen our relationship more to Him.

Wait - This is also something we don't usually want as humans especially in this day where everything is instant - microwave, instant coffee, noodles, fast food's, to-go's, 4G networks, ultra-fast computer processors, etc. We're so used to getting what we want, and we want it FAST! When God says "Wait" on our prayers, our reactions are somewhat similar to when He says "No" and sometimes even worse. On our impatience, we rush to the answers we're expecting and do our own thing. We think that there's no difference when we do our plans now than to wait for later. This leads to disobedience and eventually disaster. When that happens, we cry out back to God and say sorry for our hastiness. On the other hand, there are some who really wait, but they don't become complacent or passive. They wait eagerly, still doing what God wants for them to do and they ready themselves for the answers they're waiting to receive. When that perfect time comes, they welcome it, catch it and embrace it with joy, excitement and with deep gratitude. Most often than not, they're better and more mature than when the time they started to wait. They've already grown and bloomed and worthy of the things they prayed for. God's "wait" should also anchor our souls deeper into God's great sea of Love and grace. Waiting makes us depend more and more on God. :)

Personally, I've had my share of No's and wait's. And to tell you honestly, I'm not the one who rejoices right after God gives His answers. It will take me time to accept, dwell, desire and obey it. (I'm a little stubborn). Oftentimes, I disobey too. I do what I want and later suffer the consequences of my disobedience. But God is so great and loving that He still pursues me, and restores me to Himself. I am so amazed by His grace and unconditional love for me. :)

Bottom line is this: when you pray to God, be ready for His answers. Be expectant but don't push for your "wants". Know that His ways are always better than ours, His plans are way better than our grandest plans, and His will is always the best! Delight in Him and Him alone. Do not be too concerned of your prayers that you forget to really seek Him. Don't focus on what His hands can do (his answers) but focus on His face (His character, who He is). In that way, you'll be more secure whether you get a "Yes", "No" or a "Wait". :)

How about you? Have you had your share of "No's" and "Wait's" too? How did you respond?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
-Isaiah 55:8-9

Love,
Vee