I know I've found myself wondering what's up when I pray, and pray, and pray, and God doesn't answer my prayers. Maybe you've experienced something similar?
Maybe you've been praying and praying to get into one specific school?
Maybe you've prayed and prayed for that job?
Maybe you've fasted and prayed and pleaded with God to have a baby?
Read Luke 11:11-13:
“You fathers—if your children askt for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
When you read those verses you see that God gives good gifts. If you pray for a fish, he won't gift-wrap a snake for you. Makes sense right?
What if we flip the script on this one. What if you asked for a snake or a scorpion? He still wouldn't give it to you.
No matter how long you fasted.
No matter how long you prayed.
No matter how many times you ground your face into the carpet pleading with him.
Sooooo... (try to follow along) What if we think we are asking for an egg, but really it's a scorpion? God won't give it to us because he only gives good gifts, but we see it as God ignoring our prayers.
We are like the 14 year-old kid throwing a tantrum when her parents don't let her go to the party. We stomp our feet and yell something to the effect of "I HATE YOU!" or "WHEN I'M 18 I'M OUTTA HERE!"
We walk away from our faith because we think God a) doesn't care, or b) doesn't exist.
Reality is, he won't give you a scorpion. Even if you ask for it.
wow, AJ, this has hit me where i need to be hit. i don't know how many scorpions i have prayed for over the years, but i know i could have used your insights.
ReplyDeletethanks for writing this...