When God Answers Questions We Aren’t Asking
By Jennifer Slattery
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8
When decisions loom and uncertainty reigns, I want answers and clear direction. If I do X, then Y will occur. Scripture promises again and again that God will guide us, but His answers might look different than we expected. In fact, He might not answer regarding that thing at all.
Many times God redirects my prayers, pointing me away from my will or faulty thinking and toward His, reminding me that often there’s more important issues than whether I take that job, receive that material blessing, or accept that opportunity.
For over a year now, I’ve been in transition. I’ve sensed God doing something, shaking things up and leaving me confused. With certain opportunities on my horizon, opportunities that can drastically impact my future, I’ve spent a lot of time in prayer, anticipating God’s response.
Because surely He’ll respond, right?
Always—but perhaps not in the way I expect.
The other day, after sharing my frustration with a friend, she asked, “What’s God saying to you?”
To which I responded, “Nothing. All He keeps telling me is that He wants me to grow in character.”
She offered a slight smile. “Then that’s what He wants you to focus on.”
I processed her conversation later and realized, though I was focused on a particular decision, convinced of it’s implications, God’s wisdom far exceeded mine. My personal growth and relationship with Him has a greater impact on my future than any temporary decision I may make. Recognizing this allows me to peacefully and confidentially endure the tension of uncertainty.
God loves us and is much more concerned about our future than we are. He’s watching us closely and promises to guide us. His role is to lead; ours is to listen and obey, surrendering our future and whatever decisions we might face to Him.
Knowing He will lead in His time and His way—toward His very best.
Jennifer Slattery is a writer, editor, speaker, and the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries. She writes for Crosswalk, is the author of eight contemporary novels, and helped write Wholly Loved’s Bible study based on the life of Sarai (Gen. 12-23) titled Becoming His Princess, available for free (in ebook form) from Wholly Loved Ministries. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall outings with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Visit her online at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com.
Visit WhollyLoved.com for more inspirational messages or to book them for your next women's event
FREE Podcast from the Wholly Loved Team!
Listen to our FREE faith podcast, Faith Over Fear! You can find all of our episodes on LifeAudio.com. Listen to our episode on fighting spiritual battles by clicking the play button below:
