Years ago someone told me that there are three ways that God will answer a prayer: Yes, No, or not now.
Many times we pray and God answers our prayers with a yes. When that happens, it's glory, hallelujah, amen! We do the happy dance and all is well with our soul. We sing praises up to him and rejoice!
But God doesn't always sees fit to answers our prayers with a yes.
Often, God will simply say not now.
Sometimes, right now, is not in God's perfect timing. As God, he may foresee something that requires a delay in answering our prayer. He is not saying no to us, he is simply asking us to wait a while, and that sometime in the future, when He knows that the timing is right, then he will answer with a yes. Listening to God say not now requires faith on our part, because as humans, we tend to be impatient. Being still and waiting on God requires patience, which unfortunately, I don't possess much of.
It is not easy being asked to wait, especially by God. We have become a nation of instant gratification, and if we aren't careful, it will begin to infiltrate into our spiritual lives as well. However, I have personally experienced God answering me with a not now and then the following year, he followed up with a yes.
It may take time, but if God says Not now he is faithful in fulfilling in answering your prayer when the time is right, and on his terms.
Finally, God may answer our prayer with a definite no.
I admit its hard praying about something to God and then he doesn't give you the answer that you were wanting. I even admit to have pouted or even cried upon such occasions, (true!) Oh, the disappointment I felt!
Sometimes I would question if I had really heard God's answer right. Maybe if I asked him a different way then he would answer my prayer differently. Boy, I was so desperate for God to answer my prayer the way I wanted him to, (regardless of the ramifications) that I would go ahead and make plans as if he had, and then justify my actions in the process! Oops! I was trying to micromanage God into getting my own way. Who did I think I was anyway?
Oh, I have learned my lesson, but too many times I have learned them the hard way. When God says no, he means no. No questions asked. But it is not easy. Even though I know that he is a sovereign and just God, and a good, good father; just like a child, I feel disappointment when he says no to me.
I have to remind myself of Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God; who are called according to His purpose." And to trust him, completely.
Last year, I was contemplating a word for myself for the coming year, that would represent my heart. At first, I was sure that word was to be "Hope;" but when January the first came around, I felt God was telling me to change it to the word "Peace." Sure enough, as the new year started rolling in, I realized why I was compelled to change it to peace. From the get go, I was faced immediately with trials, tests and tribulations. I soon understood that I was going to need God's peace; the peace which passeth all understanding to get me through these tough times. If I could rest in God's peace & know that HE was in control, despite the circumstances, then I wouldn't have to "hope." I could rest in God's perfect peace. Amazingly, my devotional for the month of January, spoke clearly to me that I needed to seek God's peace, and to rest secure in it.
And so, February rolled in, and here we are almost at the end of the second month of the year. The trials and financial hardships are still here with me, however, I am trying to "Let go and Let God" help to have peace in the midst of all these circumstances. Was it a coincidence, that in December of 2012, I blogged about having peace in the midst of chaos? I think not. I believe that God in HIS perfect timing, was preparing me for the challenges that HE knew would be facing me in the coming year.
So where does my title fit into all of this, you might ask? A few weeks ago, I suddenly realized what was missing from my life was "Joy;" and so I began seriously to ask God to give me joy despite my trials and tribulations. No easy task I might add. I am a single woman in her late fifties, have constant, chronic back pain, I am facing major financial hardships, I have other family members who live with me, and the situations in my home have caused it to be a constant state of chaos and stress; duh, it's no wonder I haven't felt joy in quite a while.
First of all, I didn't ask for happiness. To me, happiness is based on internal emotions and feelings that are based on external factors & situations. Happiness comes and goes. It's up and down. It's dependence once again, is based on our emotions and outside factors. It fluctuates like a roller coaster; up one day and down the next. I needed joy, real joy that comes only from God, and is based on something much more substantial and consistent.
I am amazed in how God works in such personal ways in our lives, if we will only take the time to recognize HIS hand moving. Recently I posted on facebook, that I was grateful that "the joy of the Lord is my strength." That very same day, I went to a gathering of Christian women, and a woman that I didn't even know, sat next to me. At one point in our sharing, this woman mentioned to me that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Wow! it gave me "God Bumps." It was if God had tapped me on the shoulder and whispered, "see, I hear your request." Then, last week, the praise & worship team I am on at church, sang a song with the phrase; "the joy of the Lord is my strength." Once more, God confirmed the words he had placed in my heart.
Last week, I read many scriptures about joy. Here are a few that were special to me.
James 1:2 -3 "My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
Psalms 30:5 "weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning."
Psalms 16:11 "In thy presence is fullness of joy: at thy right hand, there are pleasures forevermore."
Nehemiah 8:10 "the Joy of the Lord is your strength."
Psalms 51:12 "restore to me the joy of my salvation."
In closing, I would like to ask the question: "How can we have joy in the midst of trials and tribulations?"
The answer is simple: we, of our own strength and power can't; however, ONLY WITH GOD'S STRENGTH AND POWER IS THIS ATTAINABLE!
We need to remember that "with God, ALL things are possible" Mark 10:27
My prayer is that we all kind find that perfect joy in God; regardless of what trials and tribulations we are currently facing.
Today I posted on facebook that I was grateful for this scripture:
Psalms 46:10
"Be still and know that I am God."
I wanted to share the story behind the post, but somehow I could not; so, I am sharing it here. Who knows, maybe God has different plan than mine! LOL!
Yesterday God showed me HIS presence in a miraculous way. I had been praying for a copy of the book "Jesus Calling" for several months. I am currently on a very limited budget and hoped that I could possibly find it at our local Goodwill. Last week, a friend of mine read a passage from that book to me when I was feeling so sick, worn out, and physically, emotionally and mentally drained. Although I did mention it to my friend that I would love to have my own copy of the book, God in HIS amazing awesomeness, had a much greater and bigger plan for me.
Yesterday I had blogged about how my word for this year was peace: the peace of God which passeth ALL understanding. I also mentioned hope and faith in my blog. I am sharing all this so that you can see how God has already been preparing my heart to fully trust in HIM to give me peace in ALL things, even the secret desires of my heart.
My niece (who lives in the state of Washington) had texted me that she was sending me a package in the mail and to be looking for it. Since we are both avid crafters, I was anticipating something to be creative with. LOL! Every day it seemed like she would ask if it had arrived yet. "Nope" I would text her, not yet.
On Monday, my niece had back surgery, and yesterday afternoon, on her way home from the hospital, she texted me to tell me how she was feeling. Knowing she would ask me again if I had gotten "her package" in the mail, I went ahead and texted her that I had not. Ironically however, I told her that I had I received a package in the mail from "an angel," and told her that someone had sent me the book, "Jesus Calling." "Silly girl" she texted me, "THAT WAS THE GIFT!"
Wow! God in HIS amazing goodness, had put it on my niece's heart to mail me a "LEATHER BOUND" edition of the book I was praying for. She didn't even know I was praying for it! Even MORE amazing is that she mailed it from the west coast all the way to the east coast where I live.
When I opened up my precious gift and turned to the first page of January; the scripture for the month was MY favorite scripture:
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
I know that as I am emptying myself of everything, and being still and listening to the voice of God; and being quiet enough to hear "Jesus Calling," HE will speak to me, and show me HIS plans for my life. It was no coincidence that I had already blogged yesterday about Faith, Hope & Peace. HE knows my name, HE hears my cries, HE sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call.
Let me encourage you today to trust God through what ever circumstances or situations you may be facing. Pray for HIS PEACE to keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
