I write this article because, if I
am honest, I have found myself doing the very thing I say today: Do not put God
in a box. I am sure that I have piqued your interest and you ask, “Angela, what
in the world are you talking about?” Well I am so glad you asked. In the normal course of life, we
ask God for things; blessings, opportunities, etc. I feel most times when we
ask we have set ideas as to what that outcome should look like. We believe we
are just as wise as He is and so when an opportunity comes our way that doesn’t
seem to fit what we want or come about how we believe it should happen then we
say: “Oh the devil is a lie!! That can’t
be from God!”
Let me give you a few examples:
Lord I need
a job – based on
what your skill sets are we create in our head what that job we are looking for
should look like. So if a job comes our way that doesn’t fit the mold we feel
it should take, we make the assumption, “that’s not from God.”
Lord I am
believing you for a house – even
though you’re specific an incredible opportunity comes your way that does not
reflect what you thought the house you desired should look like and once again
we say, “that’s not from God.”
Lord I am
believing you for a mate – you get
real specific with what that looks like and a mate comes your ways oozing with
faith, funds, family values and yet the mate doesn’t look like what you feel
your type should look like, so you got it, once again you say, “that’s not from
God.”
A similar story takes place where a
man is caught in a flood. He reaches the highest mountain and yet the water continues
to rise. A helicopter drops its rope and yells for him to take the rope and he
says, “I’m waiting on God to save me.” A boat comes by and encourages him to do
the same thing and he says, “I’m waiting on God to save me.” Then a strong
swimmer with a raft hollers, “come on get in I’m here to rescue you.” And you
got it, he says, “I’m waiting on God to save me.” The man drowns and goes to
heaven. He gets his opportunity to speak with God and he says, “Lord I was on a
hill needing to be rescued why didn’t you show up?” And God replied: “I did
show up, in a helicopter, a boat, and a swimmer with a raft.
How do we pray, do it specifically,
and then accept something outside of what we prayed for? Or at least what we believe
is outside of what we prayed for. There are some things that must be considered
when praying. One of the most important components that should never be left
out is “Thy will be done.” Let’s replay some of those earlier scenarios. These
scenarios will only work if you believe that no good thing will God withhold
from those who walk upright. Also you must have a linked relationship with God.
You must have such a fine tuned relationship with Him that you can feel when
God is prompting you in a direction.
Let’s say this upfront—being in
tuned to God doesn’t mean it will feel good when you are prompted to do
something that is outside of your comfort zone or less, in our minds, than what
we wanted. The premise here is completely trusting God!
Lord I need a job that lines up with
my skill sets and the salary that I want – God sends you a job opportunity that
is lower level and less pay.
1. 1st you pray on it and ensure that this is what God
would have for you at this time in your life. You be still and know that He God
and listen for that still quiet voice. (Psalm 46:10)
2. Just to be sure you pray again. Sometimes we have to do like Gideon
and ensure that it is truly God doing the leading. (Judges 6)
3. Then we step out by faith,
letting God know that you may not like the journey but you respect the One who has put this journey before you. (Jeremiah 29:11) And then you leave the outcome to God.
Outcomes:
- You find that you are on that job and an opportunity that exceeds what you thought comes your way and if you hadn’t been in that spot at that time you would never have received it.
- You find yourself in a place where a positive outlook is needed to uplift spirits and God uses you in that very place.
- You find that someone there needed a word from God and God chose you.
Outcomes:
- This house is priced under market so your mortgage is going to be real doable.
- This house, since it’s under market value, already comes with equity in the bank to help leverage future opportunities.
- There is enough land for you to build additions at a later date and create an exceptional home addition.
- Because of your submission to God’s plans for you at this time, God uses you to bless other individuals with the additional resources you now have. And just wait to see what God does for you and on your behalf!!
Lord I’m believing
you for a mate: You do the same as above. Now I know the character traits I
mentioned; funds, family values, and faith are excellent qualities. Let’s admit it yal, there are those other traits that
sometimes trumps the most important ones. There’s a height limit, a weight limit,
a look limit, etc.
I ask you, if God sent you someone with:
- Funds (an excellent provider)
- Faith (has an active relationship with the Lord and it is visibly apparent)
- Family values
- Treats you with respect and is kind
Would looks, height and weight trump (no pun intended) those things that clearly are the true foundation for the right mate?
I am of the open if God sent a man with the 3 F's and Treats you with respect and is kind that he would be the most attractive man in the world!! If not then clearly
you are not looking for someone who is destined to treat you like the royal
individual you are meant to be treated like.
Being specific with God has its
place as Philippians 4:6 reminds us to make our supplications (specifics) and
prayers (general) be made known unto God; having said that you can never take
God out of the equation when it comes to us receiving the best that God has for
us. For His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than our
thoughts. In truth my hearts desires are actually desires God has planted in
my heart. So I say, “Yes” be specific in your prayers, and trust God to fashion
those desires into the ones that He gets the glory and His outcome is what
truly matters.
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