Have you prayed and prayed and received no answer? Are you starting to question God’s goodness, or existence even?
Friend… I can strongly relate. You may have done all the right things for your situation: prayed, stood on God’s promises, fasted even. And you start to wonder if God is even real.
Whether you’re praying for a job (I’ve been praying for 5 months), or marriage (I thought I’d be married by 18, and I’m wayyy past that), I want to encourage you today.
let me start here, I left my previous medical career (of 3 years) to attend a local Bible school. I thought that with my medical experience, great work ethic, and God’s help, it wouldn’t be difficult to find a job after. I quickly realized, my plans and thoughts are clearly not God’s.
After completing the Bible school, I interviewed at a dental office. I thought THIS was clearly from the Lord. EVERYTHING seemed perfect.
… I didn’t get the job.
I applied to SO MANY other places over the next 5 months. From eye clinics to babysitting. I was getting very comfortable with the interviews (because there were so many). I even stopped telling my friends and family about where I applied, because I was too embarrassed to tell them I didn’t get the job again.
I prayed so many times, and asked others to pray as well. I would tell God, “You are good, prove to me Your goodness and help me,” or “God, You said “ask and you will receive”, is this even true? Are You even real?” Interview after interview, prayer after prayer… absolutely nothing.
And then…maybe you’re like me… single. The it-ain’t-even-funny type of single. Ever since I was a little girl, I longed and prepared myself for becoming a wife. It was on the top of my list for MANY years. Although people tell me “you’ve got time,” there are others who are questioning what is wrong with me. And TRUST ME, I am wondering the same thing!
(If you would enjoy more content on singleness, please let me know in the comment section or email)
It is difficult to pray and hope for so long and see nothing happen. The Bible even mentions in Proverbs 13:12, “hope deferred makes the heart sick.” You hoped and trusted God to do something and it didn’t happen, that makes your heart hurt.
Has my job prayer been answered? No. What about the marriage one? Nope, still single haha (let me know if you have a nice brother haha). So what has helped me?
DO NOT WORRY OR FEAR.
I know what you’re thinking, “Jess, really now. You think I haven’t tried this already? And how does one just “not worry or fear”? I found that it is sometimes easier to allow myself to fear the future with questions such as, “what if I never get married” or “how am I going to pay my rent next month” than say “God, I am not going to worry about this or that, because YOU got it.” How can I say things like that when my physical circumstances don’t show it? That’s when faith comes in. Remember the Bible verse, “walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7)?” Having faith does not mean believing God will do this or that only when we see Him working it out, it means believing He will come through even when you don’t see it.
READ GOD’S WORD.
The enemy is trying to take away your faith in God. Do you know why I rejoice at my difficulties sometimes? I feel like I am doing something right. Devil doesn’t need to go after someone who is on the wrong path in life. But if you are following God, he is going to try everything to make you stop. Devil will attack you with discouragement, lies telling you God isn’t working or doesn’t care, just because your circumstances don’t clearly show it. How did Jesus fight Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)? With the Truth from God’s word. If Jesus, the Son of God, used scripture to fight off the attacks, how much more do we? Read the Bible always (not just in hard times), this way you are equipped for every situation.
CONTINUE TO PRAY.
“how many more times do I have to pray until my prayer is answered?” I don’t know… I often wonder the same thing. But here is a quote that helped me so much, “sometimes all you receive from prayer is the strength to carry on.” You may not receive the job or husband right away, but when emotions and even attacks are overwhelming, God will give you the strength to keep going. The Bible also mentions in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING, by PRAYER and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer reminds us who is in control and helps us keep our eyes on Him instead of your “impossible situation.” So when you feel like giving up on praying about a job, marriage, or anything else, continue to come to God in honesty and truth (the tears, the frustration, the doubts). He’s sustained you to this day (even though it hasn’t been easy), and He’ll be faithful to continue to carry you through. Don’t stop praying!
I hope this has encouraged you today. Whatever it is that you are facing, don’t allow the enemy to take you down. Stand strong in faith, keep reading the Bible, and don’t stop praying about your situation. I promise, the Lord will come through, even if it is not in the way you expected!
Please leave a comment or email me if you would like more points on this topic!
Be so blessed by God!
Jessica Peters
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