Just In The Nick of Time

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. - Romans 5:3-5

The space between praying for something and getting an answer from God can be confusing and frustrating. If you're like me, patience is not your best virtue and the waiting can literally drive you crazy. For the last several months I have been specifically praying that God would open a door for me. There were days I lost my faith and there were moments when I forgot that God can do anything. My faith was most definitely tested and many tears were shed. Well, today I got an answer and it was just in the nick of time. I'm not only grateful for this new beginning, but I'm also grateful for God's grace and mercy along the way.

There is someone reading this who is asking God why they haven't gotten an answer to their prayer. They may be mentally and physically exhausted. Their spirit might be broken and it seems like their situation isn't getting any better. If this is you, I want to remind you that God has not forgotten about you. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1). Whatever you are hoping for and whatever you cannot yet see with your own eyes is just a prayer away. Keep praying. Keep speaking into existence. Rest in God's word daily and let it renew your mind and your spirit. Take life one day at a time and know that God is working things out. 

Just think, if we always got what we prayed for right when we prayed for it, we would never truly build a relationship with God. Our pain, our joys, our triumphs, our let downs, etc. are all part of a bigger plan. They are all meant to teach us something and hopefully we don't miss the lesson. As such, I am convinced that no matter what we ever deal with in life, God is at the center. Those things we don't understand, God is there. That answer we're waiting for, God is there. The uncertainty of what the future holds, God is there. Whatever you are praying for, God is there. God's presence in our situation doesn't mean we will always get what we've asked for but I've learned that closed doors are just displays of God's protection. 

My experience has taught me the value in running to God and not people. It has reminded me that the most logical advice can many times be so very far from God's word. People may have the very best intention but there is so much power in giving all our cares and worries to God and God alone. He is the prince of peace and when we allow Him to move as only He does, things start to happen even if we can't see it just yet. 

To the woman who is tirelessly praying, know that God hears every prayer you pray. The harder things get, the harder we have to prayer. The more uncertain things become, the more we have to speak life into our situation. Again, it's not easy but I don't think this walk with Jesus was meant to be. When it's all said in done, I truly believe our suffering will never be in vein. 

K R Y S T L E