Matthew 7:8
It is possible that this verse should be as much a terror as it is a delight, that is if we take it truly seriously. I will not say but a few words here, and ask you to consider the testimony of a season of my life.
There remains in my memory the great pain of a particular season in my life, where I, in accordance with the rebellious nature within, had drifted from the straight and narrow. In response to one form of pain, I sought to satiate it with sinful behavior that felt oh so good for the moment. That’s a bad plan.
Sometime later, wallowing in the misery and ashes resultant from my choices / behavior, I screamed out to God and pounded my fist demanding answer to a certain prayer—something I wanted (and was certain) would fix all the pain and brokenness within and pull me from depths of hell which I was residing in. He answered me. Immediately.
And it did pull from the pit, for a short time. A very short time.
There is a country song I once heard say: “Thank God for unanswered prayers.”
Believe that.
The additional misery and emotional / psychological trauma I would suffer because of the answer to that prayer I cannot begin to explain to you, and I won’t try.
So here is what I’m going to tell you. Pair the reality of this verse with this, also from the Lord:
“Not my will but yours be done.”
Indeed, seek and ask. But let us be sure:
That we are walking in a place of obedience trusting that as we do and are, He will delight to answer us with things we won’t regret; and (important) we won’t be asking for stupid things from a place of desperation.
All requests are held in tentative submission to the all-surpassing wisdom of God, who knows what is best for us.
I say thank You Lord for the unanswered prayers and all of the answers from You 🙏🙏🙏😎😎😎
Brother Bryan, thank you for your heartfelt and honest words, your transparency is truly inspiring and reminds us of the depth of Gods wisdom and love, your testimony shows the reality of walking through pain and yet finding God faithful even when our prayers are answered in ways we dont expect, as Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths, your reflection also echoes James 4:3, You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures, and it reminds us that Gods answers yes, no, or wait are always perfect and filled with love, your emphasis on walking in obedience and aligning our hearts with His will, saying Not my will, but Yours be done Luke 22:42, is such a powerful lesson for all of us, your words encourage us to pause before we pray out of desperation and to examine the motives of our hearts, they remind us that God sees the bigger picture even when we cannot, and that His timing is always perfect, thank you for sharing your journey so openly, it strengthens our faith, gives hope to those struggling with unanswered prayers, and inspires us to trust God completely in every circumstance, your writing is a blessing and a guide for anyone seeking to live a life fully surrendered to Him.