Do you ever pray earnestly for God to answer a prayer, truly believing that He will answer? Then when He answers you, you throw a temper tantrum?
Let me give you some background on what I’m talking about. I prayed sincerely for God to answer a request regarding starting a relationship. I believe my prayer went something along the lines of ‘Please make it so clear to me whether this is or is not your will. I only want to move forward with this if you have deemed it to be.’
What I really was praying was ‘Hey God, I want to start dating this fantastic guy and kinda want your blessing on it. What do you think? I’m good right?’
I prayed this on a Sunday night, felt complete peace. What I didn’t realize was that I wouldn’t hear a peep, text, call, smoke signal from the guy in question again. God so completely shut the door that even I couldn’t miss the sign!
After a couple days of realizing God had in fact answered my prayer by making it clear to me that this was not the relationship He has in mind for me. I threw a spectacular temper tantrum. I mean it was pretty darn close to the same temper tantrum you see kids throwing in the middle of the grocery store aisles when they don’t get the candy bar they want. Laying on the ground, arms and legs flailing around, crying, yelling, total disregard for any kind of decorum.
It was bad! I believe my next conversation with God went something like ‘When I asked you to answer my prayer, I wanted you to answer it my way. Not your way. My way. I know what I want. I’ve got this!
After a couple more days go by and I’d gotten over my fairly absurd temper tantrum, I realized a couple of things. First, how absolutely ungracious can I be?! God completely knows what’s best for me, who am I to be so unthankful when He protects me? Second, why after all these years of some poor decisions do I think I know what I’m talking about? Time and time again God has shown me unfailing love and patience.
I have no idea the heartache that He protected me from. However, I can wholeheartedly say that God does answer prayers and loves me even after my prayer temper tantrums.
Philippians 4:6-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.