When we don’t get What we Want

It’s difficult when we’ve asked God for something and then we’re denied. It’s easy for us to fall into the trap of victim-like thinking: why is this happening to me? Why does everybody else seem like they’re doing great and I’m not? It can be hard when we don’t get what we want; however, it’s an opportunity for God to stretch our faith and help us to draw closer to Him. It’s spiritual maturity that will drive us above our hurt and disappointed feelings. It’s spiritual immaturity that will lead us to look at others and allow our hearts to be filled with jealousy and envy.

There’s a way out of the temptation of feeling sorry for ourselves. It’s through what questions we can ask when we don’t get what we WANT:
W – What are our motives? Good or Bad?
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:2-3)

If our motives are good, then we know that God will lead us in the right place even if we don’t get what we want when we want it. If our motives are for our own selfish ambition, then we want God to place roadblocks so that we can repent and refocus on what is good. (Psalm 5:8, 1 Samuel 16:7)

A – Are we wanting what God wants for us? Yes or No?
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (James 5:14-15)

If we want what God wants for us, we can rest in peace and contentment that it’s His will in his perfect timing. If we want what we want for ourselves, we may be setting ourselves up to move further from God and closer to the world. (Esther 2:15, Philippians 4:6-7)

N – Now is my season? Yes or No?
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

If this is my season to receive what God has for me, then I can expect Him to move above and beyond what I have asked for Him to do. If this isn’t my season, then I can learn the spiritual discipline of waiting on God. (Ephesians 3:20, Isaiah 40:31)

T – Trust in Jesus? Yes or No?
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

If I’m trusting in God, I know that He is trustworthy above any and everything in my life. If I’m not trusting in God, I need to pull for times of prayer and scripture study to increase my measure of faith during times of testing. (Psalm 20:7-8, Mark 9:22-24)

Prayer

Dear Lord, I’m disappointed that I didn’t get what I wanted. Yet I know that You are in control of my life and have a plan for me. Increase my faith to trust You more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In His Service,

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