Welcome to the 43rd post of The Aim and Soar Life, a weekly Christian personal growth and lifestyle newsletter that provides actionable, relatable, and biblically rooted content to help you live abundantly and GROW YOU. GOD’S WAY.
Greetings!
MERRY CHRISTMAS! It is a blessing to make it to another Christmas Day!
When I was young and relatively new to the faith, I worked with a seasoned Christian woman, whom I will refer to as Ms. B. She was one of many mature-in-the-faith women whom God placed in my life to support me on my journey.
Feeling dejected, I complained to Ms. B that God hadn’t answered a prayer I had been praying for quite a while. I wondered why He wasn’t answering me and just how long it was going to take for Him to answer.
Ms. B explained to me that God always answers our prayers, and just because I didn’t “see it” didn’t mean He hadn’t answered. She said, “From the very moment you pray about something, God answers you. You may not see the manifestation of what you’ve prayed for right away, but He has answered. It may not be the right time yet. He answered you.”
I know that Ms. B and the other Christian women in my life were hand-picked by God to help guide me.
I have never forgotten her telling me that. I remember her words at times when I’m “over it,” and feeling ignored by God.
I wonder if there are some things that you have prayed about or hoped for but haven’t seen evidence of yet. Does the inability to see your prayer answered right away break your heart? Are you afraid to hope due to fear of being disappointed by God?
Fear no more. ACTIVATE your FAITH!
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1, NKJV
God answers us when we pray. I know now that God answers in at least three ways: “yes,” “no,” and “wait.”
Sometimes I think to myself, “I don’t want to keep hoping if God is just gonna say no.” But this way of thinking creates a defeatist attitude. God doesn’t want us walking around defeated when He is our Father—a loving Father who knows the very hairs on our heads.
I have to quickly check my negative thinking and remind myself that I must trust God enough to accept His “no” or “wait.”
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV
Don’t be afraid to hope.
And if God says “no,” know that not only does He want the best for you, He knows what’s best for you. God’s “no” is our protection. He answers that way when what we want for ourselves doesn’t fit into His divine plan for our lives.
He knows how to give good gifts to His children. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. He wants to prosper you!
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17, NKJV
I have desired many things in my life, only to discover years later that what I wanted at the time, which included jobs and relationships, wouldn’t have worked with my present life. I thank God that He did not allow me to have some of the relationships I wanted! But like I often say, that’s a whole other post! LOL.
What the “past me” wanted didn’t align with the life of the “present me.” Sometimes it’s not so clear-cut why your prayers aren’t answered the way you desire. That’s where your faith comes in. You resolve to trust Him no matter what.
If you are in a “no” season, hope for the future God has planned for you, and know that it’s the best decision for your life.
If you are in a “wait” season, hope in God’s ability to bless you with more than you imagined when the time is right.
If you are in a “yes” season, hope in God’s continued love and care, and marvel at the way He always gives you exactly what you need.
Hope because He loves you.
Hope because He knows what’s best for you.
Hope because He has plans to prosper you.
Peace and love!
Until Next Time,
GROW YOU. GOD’S WAY.
Sherrhonda 😍
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