I had an upcoming work opportunity recently that didn’t turn out as planned. I mean, I had asked everyone I knew to pray for blessing and opportunity. For months. I walked in full of faith and eager expectation for God to show up and bless mightily. I waited … and waited. And waited some more. Nothing. Nada. Not only did He not come through, it was one of the worst turn-outs for a work event I had experienced. I mean crickets. Chirping. LOUDLY. Ugh!
How do you handle the moments where you feel God has let you down? For me, that process has evolved. I used to feel defeated and deflated. I used to wonder why A LOT. Why had God bailed on me? Did I do something wrong? Had I lacked faith? I worked hard, so was God just mad at me or punishing me or something? Was there some hidden sin I wasn’t aware of that was blocking me? Why was He treating me this way? Me, me, me! I was very focused on ME, like all blessing was completely contingent on my behavior, or like my formula of pray/work/pray harder should be a slam-dunk for success! Tears, anger, fear and lack of self-worth would dominate my thinking. It pretty much sucked.
Somehow, it’s different now. Yes, I still have to wrestle through some emotions with God. Yes, I can still have moments where my lack of worth and fear can muddle my thinking. But it just doesn’t bother me as much. I have seen so many blessings come from God; so many instances where His timing wasn’t my timing, yet ended up with an outcome better than I could’ve imagined. I guess I’ve learned to relax into my faith and let God do His thing in His timing, knowing His ways always work in the end. Even when I don’t understand. Even when I’m faithless.
God is always faithful. That’s His promise to me AND to you (2 Timothy 2:13). Just knowing that comforts me. Looking back at the blessings, reminding myself of what is “true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise,” (Philippians 4:8) pulls me through to a better, different space.
So if, like me, there are times you feel like God has left you in the dust, remember His faithfulness. Remember His deep and abiding love for you that never changes. Remember that faith is trusting that God has your back even when you don’t feel it, and that His plans are always for your good (Romans 8:28). The sun may not rise or set in your or my timing, but if we remember to look, the gorgeous colors are still there lighting up the sky.
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT: Have you had a time where you thought all hope was gone, only to have God bless you? Or had cool blessings in your life that you knew you didn’t deserve? That’s God doing His thing in your life. I’ve learned to write those things down so I can pull them out in the moments when my faith is wavering. Today, consider writing down the blessings in your life. That way, you can pull them out when you need reminding of what is true, noble and beautiful in your life. I’d love to hear what you come up with so please post below!
PRAYER: Lord, how faithful you are! I know Your thoughts are not my thoughts, and Your ways are not my ways. Help me to trust You when I can’t see the path ahead, or when my circumstances aren’t what I would choose. I know You love me, and Your blessings aren’t something I can earn. Thank You that You allow the sun to shine on us all, and that you always work for my good. When my focus is on me instead of on You, gently and lovingly remind me to fix my gaze upon You again, the author and perfecter of my faith. Amen.
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