“I don’t even care anymore.” I’ve said this plenty of times when I’m tired of waiting. I don’t mean to sound jaded, but after having my hopes up for so long, sometimes I say, “What’s the point?”
To pick up from the last post, I want to reference a sermon by Bishop T.D. Jakes. It’s called “When God is up to something.” While the whole sermon is powerful, there’s one point I want to emphasize. Sometimes God doesn’t do what you had in mind. Meaning, if you have an image in your head of what you want, God doesn’t have to abide by it. If you thought you’d be married by now, it doesn’t mean your timing is in alignment with God’s.
So what’s the point of hoping and praying, right? We hear in church culture all the time, “Name it and claim it.” Act like you want God to do something. Praise God like it’s already done. Speak and talk like it’s already happened. Have bull dog faith! Don’t take no for an answer.
Yet, there’s not a lot taught on how to endure as a Christian. We know how to accept blessings from God, but what about His no? What about when He says, “Wait?” What do you do when you’ve been praying for a spouse for twenty years? You’re almost fifty and you feel like there’s nothing to show for your life?
I know what it feels like to have an idea in your head. Nothing wrong with having ambition and working towards that, but if I’m stuck in what and how I want things, I’m limiting what God can do. I’ve put Him in a box. Honestly, I’m telling God, “It’s my way or nothing at all.”
So how do you release outcomes? How do you let go of expectations? How can I still have bull dog faith, but I’m not so rigid that if God doesn’t do it my way that I’m heartbroken? Can I still speak in faith for the things I want but still have an open hand? It doesn’t sound possible, does it?
I don’t know all the answers, so that’s why I encourage you to go to the King. He’s the only one that can make things clear. I will say that even when it feels like God is not doing anything, you can trust He’s doing something.
He’s working things out on your behalf. God’s not sitting idly in Heaven twiddling His thumbs. He’s not shocked by your life and how it turned out. Most of all, God’s not panicking. Things aren’t so out of control that He doesn’t know what to do. He holds everything together, including you, in all forms.
There’s a protein called laminin in the human body that without it, the membranes of our bodies would fall apart. When you look at this adhesion molecule under a microscope, some argue it looks like a cross. Who died on the cross for us? Jesus. Who knows our beginning from the end? Jesus. Who has a perfect plan that’s even better than what we could figure out? Jesus!
So how do you do this practically in prayer? “Lord, I have plans, but I also want to do your will. You hold everything together, including my life. Help me trust you with it. Yes, I’ll do my part, but the rest is up to you.” When you’re tempted to worry, remind yourself out loud, “God knows my future and He’ll show me what to do.”
Check out The Christian Singles Hub website for information on Christian matchmaking, Christian speed dating, upcoming Christian retreats, events, trips and so much more at https://thechristiansingleshub.com/
Written by Daria White Osah
You can find Daria Here:
Devotional https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Younger-Me-Devotional-Personal-ebook/dp/B09QRKBRGB/
Her podcast Single Plus https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/singleplus & on Instagram @mysingleplus
