What if God is Answering--Just Not the Way You Expected?

Have you ever prayed for something very specific—and when it didn’t happen, concluded that God wasn’t answering?

Most of us have.

When we’re stressed, we often become focused on the one answer we believe will make everything better. We may ask God to change a situation, solve a problem, open a particular door, or show us exactly what to do.

And when His response doesn’t look like the answer we hoped for, it can feel as though He is silent—or even that He isn’t listening.

I have been guilty of this many times! Sometimes I am so certain that God will do a certain thing a certain way, that when He acts differently, I miss it. Because I was confidently expecting Him to do A-B-C, when He instead did X-Y-Z, I didn’t recognize that X-Y-Z was also Him working.

But I’ve learned that God has good plans for me—even when I don’t immediately recognize or understand them.

God’s answer may come through a closed door, an unexpected delay, a change in direction, a quiet conviction, or the support of another person.

Sometimes He changes our circumstances. At other times, He gives us the wisdom, strength, or peace to walk through them.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected from God, consider asking a different question:

Instead of only asking, “Why hasn’t God answered me?” try asking, “Is God answering me in a way I haven’t yet recognized?”

His response may not be the one you expected—but that doesn’t mean He hasn’t responded.

Moving from stress to God’s peace—one practical step at a time.

Dr. Melissa Rich

Whole-Person Wellness that Honors God’s Design

https://drmelissarich.com