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Tammy On Tuesday ~ Not According To My Plan

I was talking with a friend on the phone the other day. We are both facing some big challenges in our lives and we were talking about the difficulty in trusting because the circumstances seem insurmountable.

We both believe in the power of prayer and in the faithfulness of God. No doubt. We’ve both seen Him work in mighty and miraculous ways.

But the needs we were discussing would take ongoing prayer and provision. They were going to require waiting and trusting soley on God’s character since we have been at times unable to see His hand.

Our conversation turned to how we can bring our needs to God sometimes in desperation and He chooses to answer them in ways we weren’t hoping or expecting. I told her I had been convicted recently about my response when God doesn’t answer according to my hopes or desires. What is my heart attitude then? Do I continue to honor Him and trust with child-like faith?

Well, just this week, when God answered a request in a way that was outside my scope of understanding, I had a little tantrum in my heart. I was disgruntled with God for not “coming through” the way I’d hoped instead of trusting that, with His answer, He was acting in my best interest – that He was working things out for my good.

And that’s just it. He doesn’t have to work ANYTHING out for my good. He is GOD and He can do as He pleases. It just so happens that it pleases Him to love me.

Let’s ponder that for a moment.

It just so happens that it pleases Him to love me.

So, I had been praying for a need and waiting expectantly for the answer I wanted and God chose to answer another way. Although His answer was actually better than what I had asked for, I was so bent on what I wanted that I couldn’t see His goodness or be grateful for His faithful reply. Instead my focus was on the fact that it didn’t work out MY WAY. This unveiled a more important heart issue.

The next morning, God brought my attention to a simple passage in Isaiah that stopped me in my tracks. In Isaiah 58, God is rebuking His people the Israelites for their empty worship. In verse 3 Israel is speaking their complaint,

“We have fasted before you!” they say. “Why aren’t you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it!”

I remember thinking there was such arrogance in their words.

Listen to God’s response:

“I will tell you why? It’s because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting.”

You are living for yourselves even while you are fasting.

My heart broke with conviction. I had to confess. Even though I was going to God with my burdens, I was not humbly seeking His will. I was seeking mine.

I was not humbly seeking His will. I was seeking mine.

I confessed my sinful attitude and thanked God for His mercy.

If you’re like me, you can often feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of this life. It can seem like the outcome is up to you. In your heart you devise a plan and then ask God to bless it instead of just taking the burden to Him. But let’s commit today, whatever we face, to go to God in humility and faith. Let’s focus not on what we want but on who He is. Then let’s wait for Him to act.

I want to leave you with an encouraging passage to remind you of Who we go before with our requests. Remember when you pray, He is faithful!

Psalm 145

8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

9 The Lord is good to everyone.

He showers compassion on all his creation.

10 All of your works will thank you, Lord,

and your faithful followers will praise you.

11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;

they will give examples of your power.

12 They will tell about your mighty deeds

and about the majesty and glory of your reign.