Walking by faith is easy when we get the results we are looking for, isn’t it? When our prayers are answered the way we want them to be and everything happens the way we want, it’s easy to have faith.

But the real test of Christian faith is in facing the silence of being “on hold” with God. Faith is a hard teacher. Faith gives us the test before we get the lesson. Sometimes we pray and pray to God and it seems like He might not be listening because we don’t get an answer right away. But we aren’t looking at it properly when we think that way. The truth is, sometimes God’s answer to our prayer is, “No,” or “Not right now.”

Because God is seeing the situations of our lives so much more clearly than we could ever hope to, He can make the right decisions for us, even if we can’t see that clearly sometimes. Remember, too, that faith means we believe in Him and His time table – we have to trust that He knows what is right for us and when it is right – and we must not ask him to prove it! That’s not faith – that’s doubt.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

– Hebrews 11:1

There’s a country song by popular singer Garth Brooks that was very popular a few years ago that has line in that says, “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers , so remember when you’re talking to the Man upstairs, just because he doesn’t answer , it doesn’t mean He don’t care…” In the song, the singer sees his old high school sweetheart and recalls that he prayed every night that God would let him marry this girl. Now he looks at his wife and thanks God that He didn’t answer those old prayers – because the Lord knew that the right woman was waiting for him.

Do you have that kind of faith in the Lord? Can you pray and not be disappointed that sometimes what you are praying for isn’t what you get? It’s hard, isn’t it? But the Lord knows that it isn’t good for us to answer everybody’s prayer to win the lottery, or even every prayer to get a particular job. Why? Because it’s easy for us to forget that we only see things in the here and now – but God sees a plan for us that stretches far into the future and He’s planning for the rest of our life and into eternity.

Continue to pray, but do so in faith, knowing that God is with you in every moment. Whether you are seeking employment, healing , new friendships, a renewal of love or a change in your own heart, give it time. Don’t give in to impatience or demand that God do it “now”. Trust in God to work in and through every circumstance you face and teach you something in every experience. Leaving the results – and the timing – to God will enrich your life in ways you can’t foresee but that He has prepared for you out of His great and abiding love for you.

Remember the Powerful Benefits of Christian Faith:

*Faith is the assurance that there will be answer to all we take to God in prayers.
*Faith is holding to the blessings we know to be true, even when the world and our lives indicate otherwise.
*Faith proclaims that nothing is impossible for us if we rely on the power of God to guide us through every situation.
*Faith in God uplifts us and gives us the courage to move forward.
*Faith in God will sustain us and bring us successfully through every crisis.
*Faith in God means you do not doubt yourself.

“Have faith in God. Truly I tell you if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you.”

– Mark 11:22-23

So the next time you pray, praise God, ask for His guidance and be willing to ask for what you need. But remember that true faith requires that asking also meaning resting in the assurance that God will see to the results without your help. Walk in faith and leave the results to God – He can handle it ! Honor Him by your Faith.