Past The Ask, When God Prepares You For More | Empower Her Blog
Sometimes the answer isn’t “no.”
Other times, there’s simply more you need to know.
I work in customer service, and my role involves more than simply answering the phone.
Friend, the company I work for is a vendor ...manufacturing parts that customers need for specific needs.
Quite often, someone will call believing they already have all the information they need to order.
They’ll explain what they’re looking for, tell me what they think they need, and expect me to immediately provide the answer.
But as I listen, I realize something:
There’s information missing.
So, I have to ask questions.
What are you using it for?
What size do you need?
What are you trying to accomplish?
The more questions, the longer the process is needed for the customer.
I’m not asking questions because I don’t want to help them.
I’m asking because I want to make sure I give them something that will actually work for what they need.
And today, while processing this, I thought about my relationship with God.
Lack of Information Can Prolong The Process
There have been seasons when I’ve gone before God believing I knew exactly what I needed.
I prayed for many things.
And in my mind, I had already figured everything out!
God, this is what I need. Please give it to me.
But, what if God knows there’s information missing?
Not information that He needs.
Information that we need.
Maybe there are things I haven’t learned yet.
Or, there is something within us that still needs to develop before we can properly handle what we’ve been asking God to give.
James 1:5 NIV tells us:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Sometimes the prayer isn’t simply:
“God, give it to me.”
Sometimes the prayer needs to become:
“God, teach me what I need to know to become ready for what I’m asking you for.”
God Knows What You Need...Ask Him According to His Will
At work, I wouldn’t intentionally recommend a part that I knew wouldn’t work for a customer’s need just because they asked for it.
I need enough information to help point them toward what actually fits their need.
And while God is infinitely greater than this simple example, it reminded me of something important:
God sees the entire picture of our lives.
He sees where we’re going.
He sees what the opportunity will require.
He sees the responsibilities attached to the blessing.
He sees the character we’ll need.
He sees what we cannot see yet.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV reminds us:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
We may understand what we want, but God understands what it will take to carry it.
I also believe there are moments when God allows us to receive something we desperately wanted and through receiving it, we discover that we weren’t as prepared as we thought we were.
That experience can become a teacher.
It can reveal areas where we need more wisdom, discipline, healing, patience, or preparation.
And, instead of viewing that revelation as failure, we can allow God to use it for transformation.
Because faith isn’t only believing God for the next thing...faith is trusting God enough to let Him prepare you for the next thing.
What if we went past simply asking?
God, when is it coming?
God, why haven’t you done it yet?
God, I’ve been praying about this forever.
And instead began asking:
God, what do I need to know?
What are you trying to teach me?
What needs to develop within me?
Who do I need to become to handle where you’re taking me?
That’s a different kind of prayer!
This Week's Faith Moves:
1. Stay at the feet of Jesus.
Don’t allow waiting to push you away from God. Let it draw you closer. Spend time in His word, pray, worship, and allow Him to speak to the areas of your life that need His wisdom.
2. Ask better questions.
Instead of only asking, “God, when?” begin asking, “God, what?” What are you teaching me? What am I missing? What should I be developing right now?
3. Apply what God has already revealed.
Sometimes we’re waiting for new instructions while God is waiting for us to act on the wisdom He’s already given us. Obedience to today’s instruction can prepare us for tomorrow’s opportunity.
4. Prepare for what you’re praying for.
If you believe God for it, begin becoming the person who can steward it. Learn. Grow. Develop discipline. Strengthen your character. Let your preparation agree with your prayers.
My prayer today is simple:
"God, whatever information I need in order to be who you want me to be in this season, reveal it to me, so I can become who you want me to be."
Because maybe the waiting season isn’t empty at all.
Maybe God is giving you and I the information we need for where we are going next.
Verse of the Day
James 1:5 (NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
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Hi, I am your friend, Breonna, here to help women trust God, apply His word, and actually build what He told them (even when they don't have it all figured out yet.)
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