We all need God’s blessings so badly!

God often does not answer prayers according to our timeline or exactly in the way we are expecting. This doesn’t mean He doesn’t hear us or love us. He says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9 NIV). That you recognize your sins and that you need a Savior is a wonderful thing. That you are repentant and want to turn your life around shows you are on your way to building a deep relationship with God through His son Jesus .

But there is fear and dismay in your voice. Maybe you’re a new Christian who is disappointed that after receiving your Savior, you still fail to overcome sin; or maybe you’ve been a believer for some time and your struggles with sin and life in general are burdening you, and you may doubt you have a true relationship with the Lord. It could be that you first turned to the Lord when things were difficult in your life, hoping that with the Lord’s “favor” your difficulties would end but they haven’t.

The Apostle Peter says Christians are those “who through faith are shielded by God’s power” (1 Peter 1:5). But Peter continues, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith…may be proved genuine…You believe in him and are filled with…glorious joy” (verses 6-8).

We know from these and other scriptures that even though our troubles continue, it’s not a sign that God doesn’t love us or hear us. It’s a sign that He is working in our hearts to perfect our faith and trust in Him. Learning to trust that everything God does or permits in our lives is done in love, that ” in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called” (Romans 8:28) helps us to grow in strength, joy and love for Him. But as the Apostle Paul says, we “have need of endurance [or patience]” Hebrews 10:36.

Satan is very good at making us doubt. He is called “the accuser” (Revelation 12:10, Zechariah 3:1). By continually showing us our failings, he discourages us and wants us to give up. Avoiding sin completely is something we cannot achieve in this life, but we must keep on trying. The Lord “remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14), and He looks at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

We are still to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). If we should ever find ourselves drawn into a group whose values are opposite to God’s word, we need to take a stand, trust in God’s help, love and strength and go our own way.

Additional Resources:
Download the free PDF: “How God Answers Prayer”

Christian Questions Podcast 
Episode 1294: “How Can I Transform My Prayer Life? (Part I)”
Who God hears, why He says no and how prayer works
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1233: “God is Out of My Life! How Do I Get Him Back In?”
The practical process that brings us up from sin and back to grace
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

For children, parents and Bible class teachers:
Animated video: What is sin and what can we do about it?