By Pastor Kriss Foley,
Fairystone Baptist Church
When I was a teenager Garth Brooks was very popular; my friends and I would sing along to all his songs. But there was one that had way more truth to it than I realized at the time. It was called unanswered prayers, and the lyrics said: “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers. Remember when you’re talkin’ To the man upstairs That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care ‘Cause some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” Just stop and think about all the things you have prayed for in your life many probably seemed like such a big deal at the time, but as life progressed, we find out they didn’t matter as much as we thought. As a matter of fact, a lot of the things I asked for would have been a hindrance instead of a help. Here’s the thing while we can only see this little spot right in front of us, God sees the whole picture even the things, we never expect God knows all about. Romans 8:28 (KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. We can trust God has a purpose in all things, He has a plan, and nothing is out of His hands. At the beginning of time when sin entered into the world God was not surprised He already had a plan for mans salvation there was no need for a plan b. Often times we get discouraged when God doesn’t answer our prayers when we want Him to or if He doesn’t answer when we want him to but remember it’s all in Gods time He knows better than we do what we need and when we need it. The answer for us is to continue to bring our prayers before Him even when we don’t understand what He is doing. In every situation, we are to seek to see God glorified not just our wants fulfilled. As Christians, we are to Praise God When He says yes to our prayer, when he says no to our prayer and maybe the hardest when He says wait. James says My brethren, count it all joy James 1;2 (KJV) and the apostle Paul says Philippians 4:11 – 13 (NASB) I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Be patient, be content knowing God is still on the throne He is still in control and know this is only temporary. Just because we don’t understand at the moment just because we can’t see what God is doesn’t mean that He did not hear you, could be God knows that even though this is what you think you need it’s really not, maybe one day you’ll look back and say thank you God for not answering my prayers.
