Disappointed In God Part 2

As I have mentioned before, I do believe that one of the main proponents that cause’s believers to be enter a state of disappointed with God is because they do not want to wait for God’s timing. They ask and then sit watching and waiting, some even checking their watch to check on the time elapse waiting for their answer. The faster our advance into the fast service way of life in which we live in the more disappointed believers become with God because He does not perform on their time line. It is possible to see the help come if we concentrate hard enough for it but that too takes time and it can also be hard to do. Matthew 17:20, “So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." It is our unbelief that feeds our disappointment in God. Dr. B.M Page used to quote this passage often adding, “faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain, the problem is, most believers do not have enough faith to move the mustard seed.” When we pray, we may not have the faith to move mountains. We may pray that God will make the tumor just disappear (and He can do so) but our unbelief can cause it to fall short. We often pray for relief from pain, for a good night’s sleep, a better doctor, better medication, or for simple safety and or a night’s protection. What we must understand is that when you do pray, look for the leading of the Holy Spirit but at the same time refrain from looking for an expedient answer. God works but not always in the time frame that we expect. You may want to see a loved one healed and that is great. It is wonderful if it is God’s moment for it, but it is very often disappointing if it is not. It is right to expect an answer but all too often we are not willing to accept the answer that is given. If we go to the Scriptures to the night of Jesus’ betrayal, we find that He went to the Garden of Gethsemane where He prayed fervently for the strength to go through the trial ahead. He was not asking to not go through what lay ahead as some believe (Matthew 26:36-46). I believe that He was asking for strength for the trial at hand (that which He was going through in the Garden with Satan) and strength for the test of the Cross which lay ahead of him. If we follow the beliefs of some this would be disappointing if it were not for one small Biblical truth. Jesus was prepared to go wherever God took him. In this test or trial there is no voice or light from heaven. What we do find is something very subtle, we find out how God truly works in the lives of a believer. We find the Saviour on His face before God praying and sweating due to this wrestling with Satan, we also find in the wings of this arena an angel who appeared to Him, and was there to strengthen Him through this battle (Luke 22:41-43). As God did for His Son, He will do for you and me. In this setting we find Jesus bringing His all to the Father and being willing to adapt His hopes to the Father’s plan and to do the will of God. Too often we face disappointed and discouragement because we fail to do the same, we fail to adapt our hopes and to do the will of the Father. The truth of the matter is that whether we are asking for something big or little we need to look for the subtlety of God, listen for the still small voice and be prepared to join Him in winning the fight before the enemy. We are not to give up, nor are we to give in but remember that at all times that the Battle is the Lord’s. We are to go forth in the power and strength of the Lord. When Jesus sent out his disciples, he said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16. Notice he did not send them to fight, He sent them out into the battle not as warriors but as wise servants. Not aggressively but subtly, patiently, not self serving but doing their best to be God serving. Paul told the Romans, “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (26) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:24-26 We are to make our requests known to God and then trust Him. You can ask as big as you want. Trust God to do that which He does in His own timing, not yours and do not forget to be thankful for it. Hebrews 13:5-6, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ (6) So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” If you are to truly break free of the shackles that have held you captive and allow God to be God. Renew your relationship with Him and refresh yourself in Him. There are a lot of verses in Scripture that will help you to do so. I have listed a few verses below that I suggest that you begin with. Write them down, meditate on them, trust them re refresh your relationship with the Heavenly Father and renew yourself in Him. Psalm 68:5; John 1:10-13; Romans 8:22-25; Galatians 4:1-7; Ephesians 1:3-6 One final thought and that is to offer you a word of caution. As you begin this process be prepared to face the fact that there might be an issue in your past that you have not dealt with. If this is true, He will bring them to light and they must be dealt with. If we have past issues that have not been confronted and dealt with they can and will affect your relationship with God. It could possibly be that the disappointment that you are currently experiencing may be a direct result of some unconfessed sin or unresolved issues that you hold onto. I do believe that they can and will affect us in ways that we are not even aware of. This is especially true in how we view God and our relationship with Him and with others. Some will not need to dig as deeply as others to find something He will want you to deal with. I do encourage all to trust God to reveal to you anything that He wants you to look at. Disappointment is often a direct result of a struggling or stagnant relationship with the Lord. Too often, we find that our desire for God turns out to be the direct result of some selfish desire on our part to use Him and not for Him to reveal Himself in and through us. If this is true in your life I encourage you that you do not sacrifice your relationship with God because of some damaged emotions, do not to cast blame on Him but reach out to Him. Trust in Him and accept the hope that lies with Christ. If you are to gain an understanding of your situation and if you desire to gain insight into why you are going through the trials that you are then your path begins with a returning to the Lord. Once you restore your relationship out with the Lord, He will help you with the other issues that you are dealing with. He can and will help you to understand and cope with your struggles in the light of His Word. With that being done you will see that He will have also provided you that which is needed in regards to your feelings and emotions.