Encouragement for Moments of Unanswered Prayer | Fri., June 03, 2022

​Bible Verse for the Day | Psalm 34:19
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." 

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Friday to you all! It's so good to be back with you today…and I thank God for the opportunity to spend a little time with you, as we wrap up another week together. I pray that as we spend these precious moments together with God; that we will truly come to see and understand a God, who has always promised to never leave us or forsake us, during an hour of need…Amen!
This morning, as I've been sitting here in the presence of God, I've been meditating on the love and faithfulness that He has shown me throughout my life. There were times in the past, when I remember being so discouraged…to the place where I thought God was my enemy, rather than my friend…and what I mean by that; is that there was a time, when I was so overwhelmed by pain and deep heartache…a time when I just couldn't see Him at work in my life; that I began to feel as if He had abandoned me…and didn't love me anymore.
You know…we all can find ourselves overwhelmed at times…to the place where we wonder where God is…and why He hasn't relieved us from the moments that can make us feel as if we just may not make it. I've been there many times in the past; but in the end, I did come to see that He is a faithful God…One who does eventually deliver us, from all that is weighing us down in life.
One thing I've been thinking on this morning; is how we tend to pray and expect God to help us according to our own timing…and even according to the prayer we just prayed. You know…I have come to see that thinking in this way can sometimes take us in a different direction…one that walks us away from God and what He is truly longing to do within our lives. 
There was a time in my life, when I prayed and prayed and prayed for God to heal these legs of mine; but you know what…that is what I wanted Him to do, rather than what He was wanting to do. In other words, He had a plan from the day I was born…a plan that would exchange pain and deep heartache, for a heart that could hear His voice and allow His thoughts to be mine, as a means of encouraging others.
Maybe right now, you are thinking to yourself; but God never answered your prayer. I have to differ with you; because I see it as though He did. You see, He never promised that we would escape these afflictions; but He did promise to deliver us out of them all…and sometimes that can mean doing it in a different way than what we first expected it to be, which is what has happened with me. Maybe my knees and feet aren't doing the best; but I have come to see that I'm inspired the most to write during times of pain. These difficult moments that I've had to face for many years, have also taught me to fully lean on God; and as I look at my life now…compared to where it once was, I see that if I wouldn't have experienced these painful moments; then my life wouldn't be what it is today; so you see, God has delivered me out of so much… and through it all, He has become my closest friend.
I truly believe that when we follow through with God's plan, rather than our desires; then there is true peace and contentment. Think of it this way…if you're putting a puzzle together and you try to put a piece in a place where it doesn't belong; then will you be happy with the final outcome of that puzzle? I think not…for it will look distorted and the picture of that puzzle won't be what you first thought it would be. In a similar way…we can't push our desires into God's plan; for it won't work…to bring true peace, joy and contentment into our lives.
You know…I live with pain most every day…and I'm tired and overwhelmed at times with fatigue. I know that the Lord sees these moments I'm experiencing; because I feel His presence with me…using these moments to write and encourage others, while sustaining me and comforting me through it all. There was a time, when I didn't see life this way…but with time, I have come to experience His presence in a very real way…and why; because I allowed Him to have His way with my life, rather than pushing my desires upon Him. I'll be honest…it's not always easy; but I do know that He is there to deliver me from all these troubles.
Maybe today, you are facing a tough situation…and you've prayed and prayed and prayed, until there's been no more words to pray. Stop for a moment and think…are you expecting God to do it your way…or have you opened up your heart to Him…willing and ready for His will to be made complete in your life? As I look back over the years, I can see how life would've been much easier, if only I would have been willing to let go of my own desires and open myself up to His will.
As we close, may I encourage you to not fear what you are going through…or what God may have around the corner for you; but rather, trust Him with your life; for He has said that even though we may face many afflictions; He will be there to deliver us from them all!
What a great week we've had with the Lord! I have truly enjoyed each visit with you this week…and I hope that you will come back on Monday and spend some more time with me, as we once more enjoy another great God inspired visit together! Take good care and know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers! May God truly bless your heart with His very best!
It's Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
​*If you haven't yet accepted Jesus into your heart, I would like to invite you to check out… "Come to Jesus."

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "TIME ALONE WITH GOD" HERE
GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "DEVOTIONS THAT WILL EXCHANGE WEAKNESS FOR STRENGTH HERE