Ever prayed for something over and over and over again with no results? No change. No divine intervention.
Nothing.
It hurts. I’ve done that, but I stopped praying about it a long time ago.
As you may know, I have had many spinal surgeries. I was assaulted as a teenager and had 3 spinal surgeries in high school. The pain never went away. Everywhere I went people prayed for me.
- Pentecostals anointed me with oil and spoke in tongues over me.
- Baptists and Methodists started prayer chains for me.
- Several “prophets” declared that I was healed in the name of Jesus.
- My mother prayed for me and of course God would answer her prayers.
I believed that God would answer their prayers and that he would answer mine…by healing me. It never happened and it may never happen. On the inside, I never lost faith in the power of God, but I was a bit stumped as to why He never answered those prayers. 16 years later, I am still in a great deal of physical pain.
It wasn’t until I read 2 Cor. 12:7-10 that I realized that it wasn’t that God didn’t answer me, God just didn’t answer the way I had hoped. In that passage, Paul begs God to take some pain away from his life. In fact, the scripture says that Paul begged on three different occasions and that the pain tormented him.
Finally, God informed Paul that He was not going to be taking the pain away and that He was going to be using the pain to humble him and cause him to experience the grace of God in a brand new way.
About 10 years ago, I got the same answer from God and have learned to embrace my pain as being a part of God’s plan for my life. It keeps me humble. It keeps me reliant on Him. It has caused me to have a real heart for hurting, broken people.
As a person prone to being a lone ranger, my pain forces me to call on and rely on others. Most of all, because I am in pain daily…hourly even, I am aware of His grace in ways that I can imagine a much healthier version of myself would have ignored.
I still pray. My faith is stronger ever. However, I have stopped praying for healing of much of the pain in my body because I have learned to see it as a blessing that was meant to be a curse.
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Beautifully written, Shaun.
God is good… and is always working "for the good" through ALL things he allows to come into our lives, just as he promises in Rom 8:28….
Thank you for posting this.
Love it! I can relate to this article, but dealing with a person as opposed to pain.
Amen! This reminds me so much of the lessons I am learning in dealing with Secondary Infertility. Its the weak God uses to display his glory! Thanks for sharing :)
It's pretty handy how if god helps you, it's proof he loves you, and if he doesn't help you, it's also proof he loves you. I bet you could use the bible to condone spousal abuse.
Ever considered that maybe there's just no god, and it all just makes no difference whatsoever?
Hey Greenlight,
2 things:
1. I never said that when God helps you it is proof that he loves you. In fact, I said the opposite. Seems as if God isn't going to help me and I still believe he loves me.
2. I have considered your suggestion often. I still conclude that God is real.
Man this is good, God has done something very similar in my life. I felt like I could have written this exact blog.
Good stuff Shaun, thanks so much..
I have learned something…to not stop praying. I prayed for a husband….from the time I was 13. He never sent him until I was 47–and then God sent him with Grandeur and flair.
It is the tipping point idea….you never know when that bowl of prayers in heaven is finally going to be full and tip.
You are right of how we have to live in the process….within grace, with faith, with love, trusting.
BTW: I am 50 now and have been married a little over 31/2 years. It is pretty cool!
Man have I been there though I do still pray and believe that someday my personal situation will change. I do know there was a reason for my challenges and that they are being used still. Like you Shaun, I have seen faith healers, been to the alter, been prayed for, anointed and sermonized. I have lost much faith in people but not my God. I believe that I should pray and believe because my bible says that I should. I live in Christ inspite of the circumstance and will never own it. I admire your strength and your courage. Blessings.
that there is no god is an idea that only hurts you greenlight. God has given me little that I have asked for what He did give me is His life. Blessings.
Glad it connected w/ you Jon!
I haven't stopped praying, but I have stopped praying for healing of this ailment. In fact, I have lost my desire for it and have learned to embrace my broken body.
Thanks for keeping it real!
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