It's always encouraging for me to see how the Lord answers prayer. Sometimes the answer is not quite the way I thought it would happen, but I am thankful for it just the same.
But what if the answer is hidden in a hard thing that brings to light feelings and attitudes in my heart that are not too pretty? Then it's easy to just get frustrated and completely miss the fact that this hard situation could be THE ANSWER to my prayers.
This is the kind of answer I had recently.
Lately I've been praying for humility. A good idea, don't you think? :-)
Well, along came a situation where over the course of a few days several things happened that made me feel really left out, unimportant etc.
It was unusual.
Of course I assumed these things were done unintentionally, but I still struggled at times to respond graciously. I was confused.....and getting frustrated. Then one day as I was thinking through it all and praying about it, a new thought hit me: Could this be God answering my prayer??
These 'happenings' showed me my selfishness and pride and gave me great opportunities to practice humility and forbearance. They made me turn to the Lord for help. So, yes, it does seem like an answer!
I hasten to add that by no means is my pride and selfishness conquered, I still struggle with it. But I was really comforted and encouraged to see the Lord working in my life!! He loves me so much that He would send hard things to show me something that was not pleasing to Him.
For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
~ Proverbs 3:12
The answers to our prayers are always good, even when they come to us in a way that is not "fun".
And sometimes we can miss the answer.
I almost did.
And sometimes we can miss the answer.
I almost did.
2 comments:
Alyssa thank you for sharing your struggles and triumphs through Christ with us! It's a big encouragement to me and sobering as well because humility is something I am working on too. ;) lately I have also been trying to understand some answers to my prayers and waiting for answers with others. Praise God it's all for our good and His glory.
God bless
Rebecca
Thanks for sharing, Alyssa. All too frequently, I have to remind myself that I am God's creation, and that HE is the source of anything good in me. My correct response to those good things should be gratitute, not pride. It is a struggle to fight the old nature who wants to take credit. Below is a good article on this. Praise God for His goodness.
http://theavenuechurchdelray.com/humility-gratitude-partner-virtues
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