Today, we’re going to talk about those moments when you pray for something specific—maybe deliverance, a blessing, or a breakthrough—and instead, it seems like a trial or hardship follows. It’s easy to feel confused or even frustrated, thinking, “God, that’s not what I asked for!” But let’s explore why God’s answers may not always look the way we expect and how, if we trust Him, the outcome is better than we could have ever imagined.
[00:00:37] Welcome to The Bible Speaks with your host Elgin Carelock. The Bible Speaks is a daily
[00:00:44] podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, rightly dividing the word
[00:00:50] of truth and learning how to apply it to our daily lives. You may contact Elgin at the address
[00:00:57] given at the end of the broadcast. And now here's Elgin.
[00:01:02] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach to another edition
[00:01:09] of Words of Inspiration. And thank you for joining me in our ongoing series, Guaranteed Victory.
[00:01:18] Today's episode is titled, That is not what I asked for. Our inspiration comes from 1 Peter
[00:01:27] chapter 5 verse 10. And reading from the New International Version, it reads,
[00:01:34] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered
[00:01:41] a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. Today we're
[00:01:50] going to talk about those moments when you pray for something specific. Maybe deliverance or blessing
[00:01:57] or breakthrough. And instead, it seems like a trial or hardship came right after.
[00:02:05] It's easy to feel confused or even frustrated thinking, God, that's not what I asked for.
[00:02:13] But let's explore why God's answer may not always look the way we expect. And how if we trust him,
[00:02:20] the outcome is better than we could have ever imagined. We've all been there, praying earnestly for God to step
[00:02:29] in, to change a situation, or to bless us in a specific way. But instead of immediate deliverance,
[00:02:37] we might face more challenges. It's easy to think that God didn't hear us, or worse, that he's ignoring
[00:02:44] our request. But 1 Peter 5 and 10 gives us a different perspective. It reminds us that after we've
[00:02:52] suffered a little while, God himself will restore us. This means that sometimes God's way of answering
[00:03:00] our prayers involves allowing us to go through a trial first. The suffering isn't pointless. It's a part of
[00:03:09] the process God uses to refine us, strengthening us, and prepare us for what's ahead. Sometimes,
[00:03:18] God's answer to our prayer is not what we ask for, but it's exactly what we need. Just like a loving
[00:03:26] parent who sometimes says no or not yet to protect a child or teach them something valuable,
[00:03:33] God may delay a blessing we're asking for because he knows it's not the right time,
[00:03:39] or that we're not ready yet. Isaiah 55 verses 8 through 9 says,
[00:03:45] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
[00:03:52] As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
[00:03:58] than your thoughts. God's perspective is far greater than ours. He sees the bigger picture and
[00:04:06] knows exactly what we need to grow and mature in our faith. His answers, though they may not align with
[00:04:14] our expectations, are always aligned with his perfect plan for our lives. One of the most challenging
[00:04:22] aspects of our walk with God is understanding that trials often precede breakthroughs. You may be praying
[00:04:30] for deliverance, but God allows a trial to come into your life instead. Why? Because he's preparing you
[00:04:39] for the very blessing you've been asking for. James 1 verses 2 through 4 reminds us,
[00:04:46] Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
[00:04:52] because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its
[00:05:00] work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. The trial you're facing right now
[00:05:08] may be God's way of preparing you to handle the blessing that's coming. It's like God is saying,
[00:05:14] I know what you asked for, but before I give it to you, I need you to build character, strength, your faith,
[00:05:23] and prepare to receive it. When God's answer to your prayers looks different than what you expected,
[00:05:31] the key is to trust him. Trust that he is working behind the scenes, even when it doesn't make sense.
[00:05:39] Remember that his promises are true, and he is faithful to complete the work he has started in you.
[00:05:46] Romans 8 and 28 assures us,
[00:05:50] and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
[00:05:56] who have been called according to his purpose.
[00:06:00] Even when it feels like God's answer is delayed or looks completely different than what we pray for,
[00:06:06] we can rest in the truth that he is working everything out for our good.
[00:06:12] God's timing, though not always our timing, is perfect.
[00:06:17] So what do we do when we find ourselves in a season where God's answer seems to be more trials
[00:06:23] instead of immediate deliverance? Here are a few steps.
[00:06:28] Number one, be patient.
[00:06:32] Remember that God is not in a hurry.
[00:06:34] He is more concerned with our growth and preparation than with meeting our timelines.
[00:06:41] Number two, seek God's perspective.
[00:06:44] Instead of asking, why is this happening?
[00:06:48] Ask God, what are you teaching me through this?
[00:06:52] Number three, trust his promises.
[00:06:55] Go back to the word of God.
[00:06:57] Let scripture like 1 Peter 5 and 10 and Romans 8 and 28 remind you of God's faithfulness.
[00:07:07] And finally, embrace the process.
[00:07:11] Know that every trial has a purpose.
[00:07:14] Allow God to use it to refine you, strengthen you, and prepare you for the blessings to come.
[00:07:22] Brothers and sisters, God's ways are higher than our ways, and his answers are always better than what we could ever imagine.
[00:07:31] You may not have received the answer you were expecting, but that doesn't mean God hasn't heard you.
[00:07:38] It just means he's preparing something even greater for you.
[00:07:43] If this message encouraged you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.
[00:07:49] And remember, God knows what's best, even when it doesn't look like what we asked for.
[00:07:56] I thank you for spending time with me on today, and I look forward to our time together on tomorrow.
[00:08:02] Until then, God bless.
[00:08:04] The Bible Speaks is sponsored by C Squared Realty and New Gen Construction Group to help spread the gospel to the corners of the earth.
[00:08:22] If anything you've heard poured into your life, please share it with someone.
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[00:08:42] You may contact Elgin at P.O. Box 5582, Ocala, Florida 34478,
[00:08:52] or by email at thebiblespeaksonline at gmail.com.