If you haven’t read Do You Pray Part One, stop what you’re doing and take the time to do so. The prelude to this blog is sure to leave you feeling liberated and empowered. Like you could call out to God and He’d come at the snap of your fingers. Do You Pray Part One may give the impression our Father answers the moment we cry out or ask for anything. But this time around, I’d like to consider this; do you give your child whatever they ask for? Or do you wait until the appropriate time to give them what their heart desires, IF they are responsible enough to handle what they’ve requested? While 2017 proved to be an incredible year for my prayer life, 2018 has been a spiritual uphill battle.
Many things I’ve asked God for, have yet to come to pass. One prayer in particular has been for a promotion at work. Everyone on my team has been there for years and we all do the same work. But for some reason I am the only one who has not moved up from my position. In the past, every few months our leader would take a few names to upper management for consideration. Our leader would argue they deserved to be moved up, given the amount of time spent on the team and knowledge of work. I’ve seen others get promoted before me, even when it came out later one person lied about their qualifications. Talk about being livid! There’s no word to describe the anger I felt hearing this when my own skillset clearly exceeded this person’s. This experience changed something in me.
Now, while walking into work, this rage arose within me. It stayed there all day. I became agitated looking at or hearing the names of certain people. I no longer smiled throughout the day, but instead allowed the promotion denial to determine my attitude. My joy was being predicated on my circumstances. The respect I had for certain management went out the window, and it showed as I’m not one to hide my emotions very well. It was in my expression and tone of voice. Random people would ask me what was wrong; my face showed constant disgust with my employer.
Then I’d go home and complain to the Lord. I asked to be included in the next round of promotions and would yell “What about me Lord?!? Have you forgotten about me? Why them and not me, I’m one of yours!” As I began to speak up at work, now they’re making changes and re-evaluating the requirements to move up. Really?! Why do I suddenly have to jump through hoops only to receive what is rightfully mines? I’m doing the same exact work as everyone else but getting paid less! This is absurd!
As months go by the Lord slowly starts to reveal the bitterness in my heart. How dare I, a woman of God, not show grace to my superiors whom God has very well placed above me. The audacity to call myself a lover of Christ when I can’t even speak to my coworkers. How can they begin to see God’s love through me if I don’t practice it? Immediately I repented and asked Him to remove all bitterness from my heart. I asked Him to renew my mind against my coworkers and to strengthen me to show grace when it’s not returned.
The moment I made that decision, the atmosphere at work began to change. I no longer cared about the promotion, only pleasing God through my work. Colossians 3:23-24 ‘Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ’. Every day the Lord allowed me to wake up, I made up my mind to be used by Him in any way He saw fit. I smiled and said “Good morning” to others first. I no longer closed people off but began to engage in meaningful conversations.
Suddenly one day I receive an email regarding the new requirements in order to move up at work. Then, in a one-on-one meeting with my boss, I was asked what I thought. I didn’t answer right away, but my boss could tell by my face I was holding back, so she encouraged me to be honest. I stated my case, the EXACT same things I’ve said in the past. This time, she completely agreed with me and even said she’d go to bat for me with her superior. I sat there speechless and began to silently worship God. No one but Him! Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.’ Obedience, forgiveness, love, and grace are signs of a heart that truly loves God.
When we pray, God can answer yes, no, or wait. When His answer is yes, it can be obvious and you may know pretty quickly. With a no, you can accept it and move on; or do things your way and eventually end up where He wants you anyway. In the end, He has something better for you. But it’s the waiting that feels like torture, at least for me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve actually told God that I hate waiting. I could be meeting a friend for dinner at 7, if they’re not there by 7:05 I’m instantly annoyed. God knows this.
Maybe God, in His infinite wisdom, was not only waiting for my heart to change, but also preparing me. Impatience has been a lifelong struggle. He knows where our hearts lie, even when we’re too stubborn to acknowledge what’s there. Going forward, my heart is now conditioned for obedience and to trust God’s timing, especially when things don’t seem to be working in my favor.
God WANTS to bless us. In more ways than you can imagine. He wants to see His children happy and living in abundance, but only while fulfilling His purpose and His will for our lives. But are we ready? Is your heart truly ready to receive the very things you’ve asked the Lord for? There are seasons and timing for everything. When God prepares things for us, it’s to last and for His purpose, not a momentary fix.
I dare you to ask the Lord to reveal anything that needs to die within you. Acknowledge where you may fall short, ask for forgiveness and to be cleansed. Trust that the God of the universe, who spoke the sun into existence, understands what’s best for you. I’m pretty sure He knows what He’s doing.
Isaiah 55:8-9 ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’.
