All Tied Up

2 Chronicles 7:12-16

I have heard your prayer. (2 Chron. 7:12)

A SATISFYING ENDING. To me there's nothing more, well, satisfying. The poor girl gets the handsome prince. The good guys beat the bad guys. The underdog is finally promoted. Aaah. The conflict is over, and the (fictional) world is at peace. But what happens when our situation's ending isn't so satisfactory? How do we respond when we know God has heard our prayer, but we don't get the marriage proposal, the "win," or the promotion? Perhaps some are mature enough to say, "Your will be done," and move on. The rest of us, however, have a tougher time letting go. What then? Though Jesus said, "Your will be done," Hebrews 5:7 says He prayed with "loud cries and tears." He expressed intense emotion to His Father, without sinning. How? The rest of the verse provides the key: "He was heard because of his reverent submission." Jesus knew He could bare His heart to the Father because He did so remembering God's sovereignty. Likewise, we can tell God how we feel when His answers don't meet our expectations. Yet we must follow Jesus' example and do so with "reverent submission" to His will. Don't let tough answers to prayer tie you in emotional knots. Reverently take your pain to God and let Him wrap you in peace and contentment as you learn to rest in His love.

Mary McNeil

Reverently tell God how you feel good or bad about a recent answer to prayer.