Lenten Reader | Day 23

So many times God has answered my prayers. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. Some are small things; some have been big things. But what about the times when our prayers are not answered? At least not in the way that we ask. 
 
I was fortunate to have grown up in a Christian home and with a wonderful Christian church family. Sometimes that kind of upbringing makes our faith journey almost too easy. For me, it was easy to lose focus and take my relationship with God for granted. Until I hit a wall…  
 
I went through a period where work became unbearable, and I was in a situation where I was tormented and harassed until eventually the perpetrator found a way to terminate my employment. That was a situation that took me through the darkest time of my life. I prayed often and fervently. I knew then and I know now that God could have relieved this situation quickly and swiftly. 
 
During that time in my life, I attended a Bible study that collided with the events I was going through.  This period became an intense period of spiritual growth. I eventually learned that I had to let go of anything I attempted in my own strength and rely completely on God’s day-to-day strength and wisdom.  I compare that journey to hanging on to a zipline or being in a parachute.  No matter how hard you try, you have to trust that the parachute is going to hold you. If you want to find any joy in the experience, you have to relax in the parachute strap – or in my case, in Jesus’s arms.  
 
God was ever faithful, bringing me into a closer relationship with Him. His plan was better than my plan.  
 
This happened so that the works of God might be displayed…In what ways has God revealed Himself to you so that His works could be displayed? How has He been the light of your world?   
 
Beth Mitten