Answer Envy (and a giveaway!!)
Published April 29, 2011If you’ve made your way here after reading my devotion on Proverbs 31 & Crosswalk.com, welcome! If you haven’t read it, you can catch up with the rest of us by clicking here. Be sure to come back for the giveaway!
Are you back? Perfect!
First, if you’d like to receive my blog posts and linked devotions in your email inbox, it is really easy. See the word “subscribe” up at the top of the right sidebar? Just click on either the little envelope or flame beneath it and enter your email address. Each time I write, you be sent an email containing the new post.
And, I’d love for you to follow me on Twitter or be my Facebook friend so we can stay connected. Click on either of those little icons there too!
Now, let’s chat about ‘answer envy’.
And waiting.
And growing tired of waiting when others seem to have their prayers met with a quick “yes” while you keep hearing a constant “not now”.
What can you do when God has placed you in His ‘waiting’ room? Try a few of these ideas:
- Shift your perspective from “Why me?” to “What now? Fight the urge to acquire a ‘poor me’ mentality. It only breeds self-pity. Learn to ask God to show you what it is you are to do . To learn. To discover. And yes, to embrace.
- Count your blessings. Make a mental, or better yet a physical list of the blessings in your life, both the simple and profound. A warm bed. Food in the fridge. A car to drive. A Bible to guide. Friends. Family—no matter how crazy. Faith. Freedom. Now read back over the list and contemplate what life would be like if you didn’t have each of these privileges.
- Recall the past. When in your past did God seem to take His time answering and now, in retrospect, you are so glad He did? Recalling God’s wisdom and timing in His past faithfulness to you yesterday can make it easier to trust Him today.
- Reach out. Instead of focusing on yourself, help someone else. Is there a new mom, a grieving widow, a sick friend or lonely church member? Brainstorm ways you can lighten their load or meet a practical need. Bake a cake. Whip up a casserole. Clean their house. Run their kids to practice. Pray with and for them.
- Internalize scripture. Memorize the following verses to quote back to yourself when you are growing weary of the wait:
~ Psalm 38:15 ”But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.” (ESV)
~ Romans 8:25 “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” (NLT)
Let’s purpose together that we will stop just seeking an answer and instead, we will seek the Answer Giver.
Now, to help one of you keep your perspective while you sit in the waiting room with Jesus, I’m offering a giveaway package that includes:
~ A journal/composition book to record what you are learning in the wait.
~ A set of my favorite old-fashioned pencils–Ticondergoa #2′s and a hot pink pencil sharpener.
~ A copy of What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by our Proverbs 31 president Lysa TerKeurst.
~ Some Bath & BodyWorks Tutti Dolci body wash in mango sorbet.
~ A bag of dark chocolate Hershey’s kisses.
Simply leave a comment on this post telling us about a situation where you were tempted to have answer envy. Or a tip for us that helps you when God makes you wait. Or if time is tight, just say I’m in. The winner will be announced Monday.
When I’ll also have another announcement that has to do with my own recent lesson on answer envy. But this one has a wonderful ending!
I hope you’ll tune back in!
Now, leave your comment and be sure to let us know if we can be praying about anything. Feel free to hop back on and encourage each other. In fact, if you do, your name will be entered each time you do! I love seeing our community of friends helping share burdens and celebrate joys.
Happy weekend!
398 Responses to Answer Envy (and a giveaway!!)
Leave a Reply
Subscribe
My Family
His Word helps in the waiting!
Psalm 63:8
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Hi there
Am here in the uk so don’t know if the free give aways can be mine-shame ‘cos they look lovely-but here on the day of the royal wedding in the UK I feel I will never be married.I have been a single mum for most of my daughter’s 13 years and it feels like an endless wait.
I like the idea that you might read this and pray for me-if you have any words of encouragement I would really appreciate it.
Yes it is hard to wait on God…but it is always totally worth it. I have to remind myself….. All things happen for a reason…
I have been subscribing to the Proverbs 31 devotionals for about 2 months now & they have been awesome! I have to admit that this is only the second time that I have clicked off the actual devotion to investigate further . . . .WoW! What a blessing! I now have an name for what I have experienced several times in my life ‘answer envy’. Praying for an incarcerated family member, a member who is being attacked by homosexuality, financial situations, and another whom is having emotional and health challenges. My faith walk has been shaken with the “why me” several times and I have often given the weak smiles to others, as they share their ‘Good News”. I have battled inside myself knowing that I should be, I want to be happy for them . . . . ‘but what about me?’. I say all of this to say that your words today and the scripture references will surely help me to focus on God and how He will work it out. Not how I plan for it to work it out! Thank you for helping to start my day. God bless!
Our house was on the market for 36 months while we lived in another town. Our neighbors sold their house in a matter of weeks. Homes all around sold, and in the end, not only did our house end up in the banks hands, but members of our previos Church family purchased it at a greatly discounted price in the process, instead of purchasing from us. Devasted and angry, I have prayed so hard to learn this lesson well and make and A+ because I do not want to take this test again. Same with waiting the 6 longs weeks for test results that would either confirm or deny my new baby had a chronic genetic illness. I NEVER expected that she would have it….but she does. Karen, your words are so true. Learn the lesson, and remember your blessings. It coul have been the home we lived in that was taken, and though CF is a devastating disease, my daughter’s is extremely mild and there are outstanding treatments and doctors care for her so well, there is no reason for her to have a long and healhty lift. This is not the case in some instanced and with some diseases. We are truly blessed, but it is so hard to say you are happy for someone while they are leaving you behind in the waiting room. Excellent devotional, thank you.
Thank you for your wisdom and for sharing your heart! God so often speaks through you Proverbs 31 ladies. What a blessing you are to me and so many others. Too often it is in hindsight that I see why God did not answer me as requested or in my time. He is so faithful and I am slowly learning patience…. Thank you again!!!
We have had to wait for many years for many things in God’s timing. My husband and I have been married 30 years and he has been unemployed for quite awhile. I have struggles when I am waiting for God’s provision ( and I know it will come…sometimes looks different than I had guessed but it will come). I struggle when I see those that I know that don’t serve God doing so well financially but I know that we are blessed and God is good…and He listens and cares and provides and we must not grow weary in the wait.
God bless you richly! I love Proverbs 31 Ministries and read the devotion daily. My husband and I went back online for the entire time period you have them archived for our daily devotion and it was good stuff!!
I try to remember that everything happens in HIS time, not mine!
Thank you for this devotional. Like always, God knows what I need and when I need it. When I started reading it, I stopped, looked up and said, thank you, God. I am in several waiting rooms in my life right now, and I am starting to listen to what God is trying to teach me. Just Monday, it hit me, about what He is telling me about my financial issues. I am glad that He has put me in this situation now, because not only am I having to trust Him more, I am also learning what I need to do to change my financial situation. Thank you for all the devotionals! They always seem to be about the “right” topic, at the “right” time for me!! God Bless!!
While perhaps not predicated by envy, I am waiting on God! I jumped into something that is very much God given, but did a ‘trish’ thing with His vision, by grabbing it and ‘taking it from here’-creating much more than God intended at this innagural event: and causing me more angst than would be if I’d fully given God the reigns for his vision. Thankfully, EncaustiCamp retreat will happen this summer, but only because I’ve humbly stepped aside and given God his rightful reign as CEO, president and full-time event planner! Blessings
I agree with the first commenter, saturate yourself in the Word! Two of my favorites that got me through (and are getting me through) my last time in the waiting room are:
“In the multitude of thoughts within me, Your comfort delights my soul” Psalm 94:19
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
Waiting for a new church home! I’m so tired of feeling ‘homeless!’
I have lived with Chronic Fatigue for close to ten years. It has been a struggle to understand why God would not heal me. Waiting on the Lord is a humbling experience, a daily humbling experience. His love is what sustains me and gives me the strength to continue asking for healing.
Thank you for the beautiful devotional. It is always good to be reminded that others also are waiting.
Love Proverbs 31 Ministries! Great to read with my morning coffee…
I’m waiting on God to answer a prayer I’ve been praying for for quite a while…not envy related but very dear to my heart…I will wait and Pray for God’s Will(it may not be his Will)
…It is He that I wish to please!
((Blessings))
I sometimes feel that I’ve spent most of my 52 years waiting…and to be honest it’s not always been easy. I’m trying to learn to live in the moment and what helps me most is simply to repeat the promise: “I know the plans I have for you – plans for hope and a future.”
I know God’s plans are so much better than my own and I wish I could say I always remember that. Unfortunately I have a leaky brain and have to be continually reminded.
What has surprised me lately is that God seems to be reminding me of dreams He gave me years ago – MANY years ago. I had given up on them, but it seems He’s not finished with me yet. So, I’ve said all that to say I’M IN! You’ve already inspired me to start a journal (while I write a blog, I have never had a personal journal!) and you’ve inspired me to have some chocolate….cause waiting is just easier if you have chocolate by your side. : )
Count me in
count me in
I loved this -I want to seek the ANSWER GIVER – not just the answer.
I can SO relate to your experience growing up. I did wait
And have a wonderful Godly hubs and four amazing
Godly kids.
I love your words- “seeking a deeper relationship w/ the “answer Giver”. Thx for this devo! God bless!
Great devotional and super timely for me! Thank you. Not only is it helpful to know that I’m not alone in suffering from ‘answer envy’, but your tips to overcoming are very helpful. I’ve been there so many times in my life without my focus being on God (where it belongs). I’ve thrown myself some outrageous pity parties which of course did nothing but keep me focused on the negative – as opposed to the MANY blessings I have in my life. I would love prayers as I once again sit in God’s waiting room – this time with patience and contentment in all He has already given me.
I’m in.
Star-thanks so much for your 2 scriptures- just wrote them in my journal! love to have great ones like those to put in “my prayer pocket”. God bless!!!
This was such an encouragement to me! My husband and I are wanting to start an in-home Bible study and see more growth among young families in our church. We haven’t had much success so we’re waiting and praying for what God will do. This fits perfectly.
Wow, I actually googled “online daily devotionals” because I was needing the Lord to tell me why He has been silent for 11 years on my dreams. I think it is no accident that I landed here!
Thanks so much for allowing the Lord to speak through you to me today. I’m frustrated to a point of anger at times with what I do and don’t understand the “no”.
He has broken me time and time again on this matter to be patient and to keep doing what I love to do no matter how frustrating it can be. Thanks so much!
Saw a picture this morning of a close friend who just reached a goal that I’ve been working on with little success for two years…definitely dealing with the envy issue this morning. Thanks for this devotional reminding me that its not about what “she” has done, but about being faithful in waiting for what HE is doing in me.
The strangest thing is that, while I have had my dwelling within the walls of “Answer Envy” myself, my greater longing has been for one of my closest friends. I was blessed with the honor of walking through the valley with a friend as her husband slowly died from Hepatitis. The journey was difficult, even for me, as we would see him come almost to the point of death, recover, and go back to that precipice once again. There were times when simply walking with her through that valley was an unbearable weight but the Lord’s hand was on us both as we walked it out. We prayed so many times for his suffering to end and I prayed for the strength to hold onto her when every other friend had walked away. Our faithful Lord gave her the strength to put one foot in front of the other. He blessed me with the strength to hold her hand as she moved her feet day after day. After seven years (he was sick for 17 years), my part of that particular journey with her ended last May when her husband of 37 years went Home to be with the Lord.
I am currently in the midst of waiting on the Lord for a position of employment. After 14 years in school I anticipated with great joy locating a job in my new career choice. For the past year I have watch most of my cohort land jobs and I have to say, as I wait on God to place me in a position, I sometimes struggle with waiting. I keep reminding myself that in HIS timing, I will reap the reward if I faint NOT.
God is my provider. He gives me everything that I need. If I try to make sense of my life through the world’s eyes I find myself running scared. But my maker loves me, not because of what I have done or because of who I try to be. God loves me because I am his. I KNOW he has my best interest at heart. I KNOW he has a plan to prosper me. I TRUST. I BELIEVE. God has grown my roots of faith deep. He has shown me how to daily walk in his word. And this my friends is Key! God speaks to us through his word. Now when I am in what you call the waiting room, I read my bible. I feel the world swirling and storming around me, but that’s ok because I am safe under God’s mighty wing. I don’t NEED to understand this world, I NEED to TRUST GOD. It is because I am God’s and he loves that he gives me everything I need. God loves you too. He will give you everything you need because you belong to him. Ask…Believe…Recieve. God’s work is perfect.
This is just what I needed to read. I have been struggling with infertility issues and not understanding why God’s answer seems to be “no”. You have given me lots to think about and pray about.
I can so relate to the waiting and the envy. Trying to have more children; two surgeries, much prayer, and years of waiting. And here I sit with two wonderful blessings from God, but never more. I’ve had to do the same thing with all the showers, friends who just continue to have kids, even some that complain about the struggles with larger families, all the while I’m listening thinking “what I’d give to know that struggle” ha. It has given me a perpective that has allowed me to more up front with young moms about what a blessing each child is and to never take the time with them for granted. I will admit though, initially I didn’t care about encouraging anyone. It did not seem fair at all and I could in no way understand why God would not have answered this prayer. I still don’t understand it but I have tried to trust that God is God and I am not……His ways are higher………His Word says His plans are to prosper me and not harm me. I have to rely on Truth! Not my feelings! thank you for your encouraging ministry!!
I struggle everyday with the why me…why is my son having to have a2nd transplant, why does my daughter lie and hurt me, why are we about to lose our house, why does God not hear me when I pray…..Your blog today was a word of encouragement. I have the patience, sometimes, but I think your first example of Asking God what is it I am to do? was the word I needed to hear!
God bless you today!
Today is our former EDD, when we may have welcomed our firstborn in the world. This week I’ve been in tears thinking of our precious little baby we saw on our ultrasound. When I read your personal sharing this morning including a miscarriage as well, as you imagine, I was very touched with the timing. To reply to “what helps me wait”, singing songs for Him helps. There’s something about speaking/singing aloud words of truth, and particularly through the gift of music, that is powerful for me. Singing on a worship team, serving intersects on days that are a challenge with “answer envy” – baptism Sundays, Mother’s Day, etc. Certainly joyful for others, not wishing ill, but craving for our experience to be different. To be holding our first, instead of palms open. Praise God for the gift of an incredible husband, wonderful family, friends and small group, among many other blessings to walk alongside us in the waiting room.
I have been clinging to Ps 29:11 ~ “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” It has helped me immensely in dealing with several “waiting” issues I have going on in my life. right now. Thanks for the great devotion.
For me, I’m in my 40′s and have never been married, or even close to being married. I know there is a reason and I know God has His wonderful plans for me. I realize He says “yes, no, maybe, and wait.” Right now I’m at a place that I’m OK with being single, if God would explain to me the reason why.
“Wait training” is so hard. I’ve been there for 25 years on one issue in my life and still keep hoping God will see fit to answer my plea someday. Thank you for the reminder that our relationship with Him is more important than anything else. I’m in! “;o)
I SO needed this today! I’m currently waiting as we speak! Confused, hurting, waiting. What a great perspective you give on how to approach our times of waiting. Thank you for this! Happy weekend!!!!!!!!!!!
It helps to remember when I am envious that it is when I need to pray, ask for guidance from Him, be patient and look at all the blessings I have. There have been times when my prayers were not answered how I thought they should be, but now when I look back I see now why. God is always right, so trust in Him!! Thanks and blessings!
Great devotion. It can be really hard waiting on God for an answer to one’s prayer. You wonder if He heard your call and if He does why He is not answering. It’s during these times that the enemy creeps in and places doubt, fear and other negative emotions in our minds. Please pray for me to seek the “Answer-Giver” always instead of seeking Him for just the answer.
Have a great weekend.
WOW! This message really spoke to me this morning. I have been struggling with answer envy for YEARS. My husband and I were married 7 years ago. In those 7 years he lost his job, we lost our house, lived with my mother-in-law for awhile, had both sets of our parents divorce and finally most recently I miscarried. Meanwhile, I see babies EVERYWHERE, my sister-in-law’s house just sold, friends have gotten promotions and taken fabulous vacations. The envy definitely creeps in! Thank you for this message to teach me what I did already know (but often forget), that God is teaching me Patience and Contentment with the wonderful things he has blessed me with. Thank You!
I get answer envy with others are having children. I’m recently married and am waiting on the Lord’s timing to have children, but I want them NOW sometimes. I am learning to wait on the Lord.
Thank you for the gentle reminders on waiting! I think i have had some of the exact same “waiting” times! I believe it is the sign language “sign” that reminds me that waiting is not a sitting still and just “doing nothing” period. So hard to not become overtaken with the green jealousy and envy when you can see what God is answering for others! God bless you and your willingness to share your own personal struggles to help the rest of us!
This was a wonderful thing to stumble upon this morning. I’ve been dealing with “answer envy” a little bit lately myself. My daughter has suffered an injury to her knee and she is a competitive soccer player. This was the 2nd injury in less than a year– the first one resulted in surgery and months of rehab. I’ve had a mix of emotions– feeling scared, sad she will rehab again, relief that the injury wasn’t worse, blessed that she is healthy otherwise, jealous of the kids that are playing in her spot. Everytime she just starts to shine and get recognition, she is injured and forced to sit on the sideline–another set back. I feel a little jealous of those girls who continue to have good luck and stay healthy. I asked “why my daughter again?” This isn’t fair. I know there is a plan for her, we just can’t see it yet. I pray everyday for healing, and ask the Lord to continue to empower me and show me where he needs me to go, what I can be doing to serve Him. To change the “woe is me:” attitude. My daughter is diong much better about this than I am. I ask you all to continue to pray for my daughter’s emotional and physical healing– and for my husband and I and continue to put things into perspective. God Bless you all!
LOVE the reminder that if I’m not learning through the wait… it is a wasted wait!
I will focus on my blessings all around today, less on the waiting part!
This is hard one to dwell on. I can get lost in “if only” God had answered my prayer this hardship would not have happened. But He didn’t and for a year I have been asking God “what now?”. I haven’t got an answer but He has confirmed over and over that He is “I am” and I am his daughter and He loves me. So I cling to that and know that for everything there is a season and He is in control. I dwell on the blessings and seek my joy not in circumstance but rather in Him.
Answer envy has been a problem for me at several times during my life. As I look back, I also see that I had many of my own blessings that others were envious of! I didn’t always appreciate it at the time. I’m in the middle of another “waiting period” right now that seems to be dragging on forever. I keep looking upward and remembering that these things are only “of the world”, and will not be important when we leave this life behind. Praying daily definitely helps me keep my priorities straight (God first) and having good scripture references gives me an added boost. Thanks for your great devotion today. Blessings to all who are “waiting” this morning.
I too am waiting- most recently for a house to sell so my family can be together again. During the process I have had friends relocate in a smooth quick process with their family together. It would be easy to get upset with God and wonder why we can’t have the same. We fought so hard to get this far and I will not give up. I struggle with fears about what will happen if it doesn’t sell and we lose the house. Through this I have been in the word more and have grown in my faith. I know there are so many blessings awaiting us in our new place which makes it so hard to still be here. I have had the opportunity to be here for people I care about who have been through some very tough times, and although it weighs on me I realize it has been a blessing. On the really hard days, one of the things that has helped me is a Jeremy Camp song. I literally sang some lines from the chorus over and over on those worst days:
“Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me”
It speaks to me because this road we’re walking feels truly broken. I know the lord will answer in his time. I have been praying for joy in the midst of this, and he has granted it.
To those of you struggling with miscarriages, I have been there and it is a hard road to walk. My prayers are with you and I pray that you will feel the Lord hold you tight until you hold his blessing in your arms.
Thank you first and foremost for the encouragement you share with us.
I’ve been learning to wait on God. I am still learning. Sometimes I wonder when it will be “my turn.” When, Lord, will I meet my knight in shining armor? When will I find that man who will love me as Christ loves the church? When will I be cherished and adored? When will I meet the man I cannot live without — and who cannot live without me?
Then I hear God’s gentle reply to the longings of my heart for a life mate: “Trust Me. Seek Me. Grow in Me. Let Me do in you what needs to be done to make you the whole and healthy person I created you to be. Let Me heal your hurts, calm your fears, and dry your tears. Wait on Me and My timing. There are things you still need to learn. You still need to be prepared before I bring him to you. And there are still things to be done in his life to prepare him to be who you need him to be. Don’t worry; don’t doubt. I have not forgotten you. I have not turned a deaf ear to the longings in your heart. I have a plan and a purpose even in this time of waiting. I am doing things you cannot begin to comprehend. So just trust Me even when you don’t know what I am doing. I am still God and I am still in control. I love you more than you know and have good things in store for you, things that will exceed your deepest hopes and wildest dreams. Just wait on Me and My perfect timing.”
Yes, Lord. I will wait on You and Your perfect timing. I will trust You even when I cannot see the purpose in the delay. Thank You, Daddy, for loving me and caring about all that is important to me. Help me to become who I need to be while I’m waiting. Help me to slow down my racing heart and trust in Your perfect timing. I love You, Lord, with my whole heart. My desire is to please You with all of who I am. Help me to keep my focus on the rigth things and my eyes fixed on You. Help me trust You while I wait.
Wow, what a blessing it was to find this blog today and read about answer envy! I too struggle with that, but never had a name for it. Kinda sad there is a name for it. Our biggest waiting game has been with having children. I have wanted children since I was little. I was an only child and dreamt of a large family. I waited on God through every step, finished school, fell in love, got married, finished more school (Masters) Then got ready to have a baby. After six months we were pregnant and it resulted in a miscarriage. I was so brokenhearted. We continued trying and waited over 2 1/2 years to see two lines appear on the test line. Finally we were pregnant again. We had a healthy pregnancy with no complication. We are so blessed to have my daughter. I never thought I would have to ‘wait again, but God has a plan. Everyday I hear about another friend adding to their families and I wait. I KNOW His plan is better, but I still struggle with each new baby announcement. I am so blessed to have my daughter and I am fully vested in her life, however that doesn’t fulfill the desire in my heart for more kids. Praying God’s best for each entry I just read. May we focus on Him and wait for His best so He receives the glory!
When we put our house on the market, I was sure God was leading us to do so. We couldn’t understand, then, why it took so long to sell! But when it did, it was because the perfect house opened up for us. We have been blessed beyond measure with our current house and have had many opportunities to share it with others. God’s timing is always perfect!
We have been in God’s waiting room for just over two years. Fired from a houseparenting job for having our fouth child, we have been waiting for our next assignment. My husband is an English teacher and has been unable to secure a full time teaching postition in our area schools. We are grateful for God’s daily provision but it has been a long haul, living check to check on unemployment, subbing and I work part-time and homeschool 2 of our 4 boys. I choose to praise and be thankful instead of thinking what we don’t have but I do believe that God has a bigger picture for us. My job is often mundane so I sing praise songs in my head or quote scripture because if I don’t I find the worries mounting. As for answer envy, it doesn’t get you anywhere – you can’t make God give you an answer until He is good and ready. You have to learn whatever you are being shown in the moment.. I have learned that the hard way!As for prayer, please pray for provision for my family, a job for my husband. Thanks for your great post! Blessings!
Sometimes waiting is so hard. Right now I am waiting on God to touch a family member who has turned their back on him. This person has such a hard heart. I ask God to melt that heart and bring that person back to him.
Karen this is such a great message. By the comments I have seen so far, it has touched a lot of people. Thank you.
I am waiting to see what gods future holds for our family and in particular my husband who has a calling in his life. In the meantime I am ‘blowing it’ almost daily by my disability to share him with others!! How can god use me when I am so self-centered???
Your message brought healing/learning/stirring tears to my heart today! I Know God has a plan but I constantly struggle with wanting to follow my plan instead of HIS! I’m a single mom, twice divorced and so wanting to share my life with a Godly husband, but I know God’s answer right now is “not right now” for a reason, so I keep on waiting, all the while still living my life for HIM!
I’m in!
I’ve asked God for an answer on a new job, since I”ll be graduating grad school soon, and I’ve learned to repeat the love commandment to Him every morning. I say, “Lord, You’ve commanded me to love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and to love my neighbor as myself. I say yes to your commandment knowing that you give me the power to do so”. This helps focus my mind in that direction by remembering my purpose for the day. Waiting is easier when I can focus on one thing at a time.
Thank you Karen for sharing your times of waiting. And for reminding us to seek the Answer Giver. I like that. Star, I’m adding your scriptures to my list. Thanks.
Blessings
This is for Melanie…..pray that God shows you how to be the wife your husband needs right now! Step back from your self and look for ways to serve others..this always helps to bring me back from a case of “what about me”?…just a friendly suggestion…
This devotional is so timely. In this and in an Utmost for His Highest just two days ago, while hoping to get an answer to a specific question, I got the message about needing t seek Him rather than focussing on what I want from Him right now. I obviously was coasting along wandering from a disciplined and close relationship with God and then when I had a crisis, I came back to Him with a focussed motive of needing an immediate answer to a question. I am not waiting patiently and look for answers everywhere (the sky, other devotionals, flipping through the bible for a miraculous message) but I am not seeking relationship. Thank you for this message that is coming to me in stereo lately. K.Cook
Thank you for sharing! I am in my biggest waiting period of my life. I have a strong agonizing desire to do something more in my life. To do work serving my Lord …not a mans dream
I have been waiting almost 8 years to be a a stay at home mom. It has been hard…but I still wait on Him.
God asks us to be faithful in all things! Thank you for your loving reminder of how Great our God is! God bless you and your ministries!
Wow, exactly what I needed! God has really used times of waiting to help me grow. I can see that as I look back over the past. I am in a season of waiting right now and I know there is something God is teaching me in this situation. I thank God for this blog to remind me to be patient and keep my focus on the lesson I an to learn!
This devotion really helped me today. After my 2nd husband moved out in October of last year, I have had many instances of “answer envy”~many “why me, poor me” moments too!! I would love this giveaway to help keep my focus in the right place. I KNOW in my HEART that God has a plan for me that will be better than the struggles I am enduring right now….It is my HEAD sometimes, that has a problem trying to figure out the “why”!!
Waiting for my husband to accept Jesus and the freedom of being saved. I have prayed and 1000 times and not right now is what I believe to be the response. I see myself falling into having answer envy when I see someone who is equally yoked. Someone who gets to pray with their spouse, attend church together and biblically encourage one another. I am constantly reminded that I need to be an example of Christ that is my part plus praying everything else Is in God time and due season. I am learning as God is showing Me to find beauty in the process not just the end result because there are treasures along the way!
I would love to win !
I just experienced this when my sons orders for Honduras were deleted. He and his expectant wife were to be packing this week to move her here from Alaska to live with me to have the baby while he was to be stationed in Honduras. All this happened the day after he had a major sinus surgery. My first instinct was to question God but then I could sense they were looking to me for guidance. I told them to wait and see. God had a plan. He had a wonderful plan! Now the move has been pushed back. My son is still going to Honduras but he will be able to be here with us for two months and not have to leave and come back for the birth of his daughter! Praise God! His way is always better!
Waiting to see what God has planned for my 17 yo son with Aspergers Syndrome. He’s come such a long way and wants to live independently. He has so many talents, but so many challenges to face each hour of the day.
What a great and timely devotion!!! God never ceases to amaze me! In the times that I am in the waiting room of life, I stop and reflect on all the blessings that God has given me, all the prayers that He has already answered, the scriptures of encouragement that He as brought back to my memory or that I run across in my time with Him.
I was very envious when my sister was blessed with twins. I always dreamed of having twins and i was not even blessed to have one child. I love my sister and her twins (who are now 22 yrs old) but when i first found out that she was going to have twins i was so upset. I have gotten over my enviousness, but still wonder why i could never have a child. I know there is a reason but very hard to accept.
Thanks for listning
Lorrie Bechtel
This was a great message that dealt with me to the core. My husband I have been trying to conceive for over 6 years and it seems like every one around us has pregnancy in their drinking water. Waiting is hard and being patient is even harder but this devotion today really spoke to me and my situation. Please pray for us.
Waiting for God’s answer is really challenging but His answers exceed all expectations.
I just felt moved to share that God has really been showing me to search for treasures in my current situation and along the way to where I want it to be..this in all areas, weight loss, marriage ,finances, etc… THe other day I was having a why me day when it came to weight loss because although not At my heaviest I am about double the size from five years ago. THe other day my husband and I where looking at photos from 3 years ago and I was about 3 pant sizes smaller in my mind when I saw the photos I asked myself wow why was I so depressed then about my weight why didn’t I feel confident or think I look good “enough”? It was because I had my mind so focus with being the size I was 5 years ago I was not happy with myself then. And GOd reminded that 5 years ago I had the same mentality..ungrateful wanting to be even thinner I was not happy even then. I could not understand why couldn’t see beauty in my current situation always longing for more, and that’s when GOd showed me that I needed to find the beauty and treasures that are along the way and in my current situation. I can say that today I have a deeper relationship with Jesus than I did 5 years ago and that I am a more beautiful person because I have learned during this time what it is to lay my life down at the feet of jesus. Within this He began to show me that this was a trend in my life..5 years ago I was eager to stay at home because my job was so stressful and I longed for more time with my children and now I stay home and have had Some tears shed because it has it’s own stresses and that is where GOd has showed me that ultimately he knows what’s best for me and I need to completely trust him and find beauty in my current situations because their are treasures if I just look for them because if I dont I may miss something amazing….
Karen, I am patiently waiting for my boyfriend to “pop” the question. I am envious of all the weddings that are happening right now. Please pray that I will “enjoy the journey” of love we are on, and not focus on the destination, and miss something important the Lord has for me.
God Bless!
What an amazing message this morning. My husband and I have been going through financial difficulties ( who hasn’t??) for months now. And I can’t say that God hasn’t answered my prayers, because He has provided in ways that could ONLY have been from Him. BUT…He hasn’t answered like I want him to. But this tells me this morning that there is still a lesson (or two or ten!) to be learned. And for that I am humbled and grateful. Thank you Jesus, for caring so much about me.
I really needed this devotion today. Thank you. It is a reminder to wait on Him and to trust in His plan and not mine. Erika
Very thought provoking post. We went through a very difficult time a few years ago when my husband left his job. What we thought would maybe be a 6 month wait for a new one ended up to be 2 years. I was very frustrated watching other people get where they wanted to be while we barely scraped by. However, I also learned during that time that God provides for us in ways we would never dream! I had been a stay at home mom with our two children for 7 years and after my husband left his job, I decided to go back to teaching. Just subbing at first, but then a full time job presented itself to me and it was a huge answer to prayer to have one of us with a full time, well paying job. It wasn’t the one I wanted but I learned a ton through that experience that I wouldn’t have learned had we not been in the other situation. God did answer our prayer about my husbands job as well and we have actually been in the same place for longer than we have ever been! God is Good!
Rebecca Ann
I’m in!
right now waiting and trusting God that He will get us moved, closer to our daughter and friends. It is hard, but I seem to cry out and thank and praise him- that he asked us to do in July- a lot
Easter Sunday was bittersweet for my husband and I.. We rejoiced over our risen King. However, it was bitter by seeing all our neighbors and church families celebrate with their extended families and multiple friends while we were alone. My husband and I are transplants to South Carolina and are still trying to find ourselves here. We also come from parents that have abandoned us andwe have no extended family. I remind myself that my husband and I are the new legacy of our family. I look forward to 25 years down the road where I’ll be celebrating with my children and their children, as well as a young couple such as my husband and I.
Right now is a hard time for me finacially. I see people all around taking vacations buying their children expensive toys and clothes.. I have learned the past few months that I need to hand everything over to God and trust in him. I know that this is a time for me to reflect on my past decisions and this is Gods way of telling me to focus on the important things in life. Children, family my job. I have had a lot of devastating times in the past year that has lead me to make wrong decisions in my life. Im now starting to focus on what matters in life. Im thankful every day I am able to go to work and have some sort of finances to help me. Keep me in your prayers during this time.
We are in God’s waiting room right now and have been over a year. We are loosing our home. The place we have called home for 7 years, brought our last baby home to, and have put so much work into. How did this happen is what you might ask, well when my husband and I bought our house we did not have the right credit. So we seeked help from my uncle. He helped us, we had a home. Then a year ago he backed out on paying his part (he borrowed x amount of money off our house), he then robbed a bank, and is now in prison. The house had a lien placed upon it and the bank is siezing his properties. We have fought hard to keep it, but every corner we turn we get set back. So we have taken that long hard journey and all the set backs as God telling us He did not want us here. So we are waiting for what His answer will be now.
After my miscarriage a friend called a few days later to tell me that she was pregnant with her 2nd child. I had answer envy as I couldn’t understand why I miscarried less than two months into my marriage and she was being blessed with a second healthy pregnancy. While I was happy for her, it was very hard to rejoice when my heart was breaking. I now have four beautiful, healthy daughters and I am grateful for each and every one of them! ~lyn
I have answer envy each time I hear of yet “another” friend expecting a little bundle of joy. Although my husband and I both have children from our first marriages, we have been waiting and trying for our own little one for four years. While God may not be closing the door, it may be a, “let’s try another method” answer, sometimes that is hard to know what to do with.
Karen,
I’m ALL in!
Lynn in TX
Needing this encouragement . . .
To Natalie,
I feel your pain. Although we have family that live close enough that we pass their street going to church, we are astranged. Abuse has plagued our family and it has torn it apart. So close, yet so far and I painfully await and pray that God will heal this family. Until then I will not make them idols and will wait upon the Lord. Yes, we are a new legacy of our family and I Praise God for that.
Thank you for the timely reminder. I’m seeking a new job opportunity within my company but rather than waiting, I’m trying to control my own path and forge ahead while not trying to think about how scary that is to do without God. Thank you that I need to but God before every decision in this process and wait if He calls me to.
Thank you for bringing God’s message. I’m in.
I am smack dab in answer envy and waiting. My dad begins chemo and radiation on Monday for throat cancer. He was diagnosed 30 days ago and it has been a whirlwind of surgeries and preparations to get him ready to withstand treatment. We have had many blessings in finding out that this cancer is contained and has not spread. I long for the miracle that they will do the CT scan and the mass will be gone….that it will have been a mistake. That has not come. So I am in the waiting, with my hands tied watching my daddy get sick and knowing bad will have to come before there is good. And I am trusting with all my might that the good will come. I have clung to Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, He answered me, he delivered me from all my fears.” Thanks for sharing Romans 8:25 I must not only wait patiently but also confidently. Our God is so big and capable! Thanks for sharing and allowing me to share as well! I would appreciate any prayers that anyone reading this would offer as we begin this journey of treatment. Thank you so much.
Wow! I really needed to open my email to the Proverbs 31 devotional and be lead to this blog. Just last night I had one of those why me, pity parties for myself. I was angry, frustrated, disappointed, without faith or hope or even love for God. These 5 tips were definitely meant for me to read. I need to start immediately to apply them to my life. I have a bad habit of being happy when things are smooth but falling apart when things are rocky and I am actively working on this but years of negativity-breaking is hard so Im praying and pressing forward each day.
Nicole in Virginia
I have been struggling with envy this past few weeks. I have been divorced 10 years and I have watched my friends get divorced and start dating and re-marry over the past 10 years and I still sit in God’s waiting room. I feel like I have been set apart for a reason. I have been serving in Youth Leadership and been single gives me the freedom to come and go for all of the events and trips and to be available to the youth when they need that special touch. I haven’t been sitting idle on the side lines, the first few years I did sit idle and I released life is way to short to hide myself away and to get out serve the Lord with everything I have, but that doesn’t stop that small ache inside of me for hoping God will bring along side me that Special man to serve with me. Thank you for letting God use you in this devotion.
Your blog today hit home with me.. I have always struggled with answer envy and I have hated that. Why can’t I just be truly happy when things are going well for others? I don’t like myself when I feel this way. I have been praying lately for God to help me with this, so your message was very timely. God is in the process of growing me and I must focus on him and not myself or my circumstances….
HI!! I have had SO many waiting times in my life. Waiting for Mr Right, waiting for GOD to allow us to get pregnant. We waited 3 years both times to get pregnant, with 2 neuro surgeries and gall bladder removal in between all that! Now, we would SO love another baby, and are in another waiting period! How hard it is, when you see others get pregnant SO easily! I must give it all up to GOD, but it is so hard to let go 100%!! I say I have, but still worry and think about it, and that tells me and GOD right there that I haven’t given it completely up! GOD can’t work with part of a problem, HE must have all of it! I just read a couple verses this morning. Psalm 32:8 – “The LORD says:”I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 33:4- “For The Word of The LORD holds true, and everything He does is worth of our trust!” What awesome promises from His Word! May we all trust Him for His timing and answers! Thank you, Karen for your timely post! Julie
Proverbs 35-6
My husband and I are new Church planters. There have been so many “roadblocks” that have been in our way, but we are still seeking God in the direction that he is leading us. It is hard when we see other Church planters that have a lot of good traction and are just plowing on through. However I know that God has a plan for us and we are to continue to seek Him in all that we do. Some days it is hard to see others going forward while it seems we are standing still. This is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but the blessing that it will bring to others will be so much more than I could ever have imagined. Thanks for the opportunity to win this giveaway!
I need this devotion today. I’ve been waiting for a “take home” baby for two years now. Last year I had two miscarriages. We are thinking of trying again, but I’m scared. I’m going through a lot of anger and resentment I thought I was done with. I’ve grown so much through my losses and waiting, but I’m in a period of darkness again as I face the possibility of more loss and realize how much I still want a baby. Please pray for me.
Being patient and waiting on the Lord is the hardest thing. Sometimes I second guess myself and try to “do” something in the waiting period – even though God has answered a prayer in telling me to be patient and to wait on him! If I let God guide me, it is always for the best outcome, if I run away and rely on myself, the mountain ahead is immense. Always better to press in to the Lord and wait on him as he knows what is best for me. His plan is perfect, even though it (often) feels otherwise through lifes ups and downs.
Oh, man! I serioiusly needed this today! Thank you, Karen for posting this message God placed on your heart for all of us.
I too am in that season of waiting… have been for years now. I am beginning to see some fruit, but it’s not to the extent that “I” would like. Being patient and seeking the Answer Giver is not always easy, but I know in the end it is well worth it.
Thank you for the message today. It is something I try to remember. Sometimes it is harder to feel. I have seen God work in amazing ways in my life and in the life of others. We don’t always get exactly what we want or maybe not when we want but we get what God knows is best for us. I know my children have heard me say this many times. It was touching last night when my teenage son came home after being blessed by a neighbor and I heard him say “This is an answer to my prayers!” They are getting it, too! So, hang in their. Remember to share these messages with your children, too. They will need them in this life. AND they really ARE hearing what you say and live, even if it doesn’t always seem like it.
First, I have to say that God uses these devotionals for me so often. I will be praying about something and then go to my email & find His answer or guidance through one of these precious messages, so thank you. I am blessed to be a stay at home mom, but I also desire to be out in the world being used by God to counsel and minister to the lost and hurting. I see friends and family moving forward in careers and ministry while I am still home waiting to see what God will put in front of me that day, (usually a lot of laundry and housework
So thanks for the reminder to focus on the Answer Giver and I am taking advice from others that commented as well. What a tremendous blessing you all are!
My husband and I are waiting to hear from God about whether we are to move out of state or not. Its difficult waiting so long, but I trust that whatever God has for us, it will be good and purposeful. Thank you
Oops, I forgot to say that I am praying for all my sisters that have posted already and for those that haven’t even posted yet!
May God grant us all the peace that only He can give.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
I am clinging to these verses right now.