Mark Batterson begins Chapter 11 (“No Answer”) of The Circle Maker with the litmus test of trust:
1. Do you trust that God is for you even when He doesn’t give you what you asked for?
2. Do you trust that He has reasons beyond your reason?
3. Do you trust that His plan is better than yours?
Trust is essential because some of life’s hardest moments are when you have prayed hard, but God’s answer is no. And you don’t know why. In fact, Pastor Batterson notes, many of life’s unanswered questions derive from unanswered prayers. However, Mark states that if you are able to trust God when His answer is no, you’re more likely to praise Him when the answer is yes.
Failure to guard your heart can result in unresolved anger toward God, which undermines faith. But Mark encourages us with good news about unanswered prayers- “what we perceive as unanswered prayers are often the greatest answers.” We may feel like God is getting in the way. We should be glad He is!
Mark explains why we should thank God for unanswered prayers:
“Our heavenly Father is far too wise and loves us far too much to give us everything we ask for. Someday we’ll thank God for the prayers He didn’t answer as much or more than the ones He did. Our frustration will turn to celebration if we patiently and persistently pray through. It may not make sense . . . on this side of eternity. But I’ve learned a valuable lesson about unanswered prayers: Sometimes God gets in the way to show us the way.”
Today’s question: What does the litmus test of trust reveal to you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Divine detours”
