Okay, you say, God understands my condition, but what is he doing about it? Many of us try to put God in a box and impose upon him what we believe is the right and fair thing to do. But what if we ring heaven’s phone off the hook, asking God to heal us, and he says “No” or perhaps “Not now”? What is our next step?
First, let’s consider the God with whom we are dealing. He says, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isa. 55:8–9). Also, Romans 11:33–34 says, “How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?’”
So how should we approach a God whose thoughts and ways are so different from our own? Psalm 25:4–5 tells us how to pray: “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” So here is a wise way to pray:
Father,show me your ways. Romans 12:2 tells me not to think about my situation as the world thinks; “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Help me to understand how my condition fits in your will for my life.
Lord Jesus,you are well acquainted with pain, so please teach me your paths and help me to follow you as I should. First Peter 2:21 tells me, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” Help me to trust you, to lean on you, to ask daily for your grace and enabling, and to represent you well to those around me.
Holy Spirit,guide me in your truth. Help me to look at my disability as you look at it—help me not to think you’ve given me too much to bear, or that I have a right to complain. I need not succumb to bitterness for 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Help me to know that your grace is my “way out” and if things don’t get better, you will give me strength.
