Waiting on God II — When We Don’t Get What We Want

Let’s say I pray for option A but get option B instead. For instance, I want to work for Exxon Mobile but I find myself working for the Nigerian Police. Did I miss it naturally or should I say option B was the will of God for me?

The answer is neither. God is both in options A and option B. The answer to prayer may not always be the answers we think. We must remember that our human understanding is limited.

God’s thoughts are higher than ours so our faith must transcend our limited options and circumstances to the One who is sovereign.

“‘I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.’ Says the Lord “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think” — Isaiah 55:8 -9

Having faith means opening yourself up to God’s infinite possibilities and not limiting yourself to an idea or being attached to one option.

For many people, faith is about certainty, it has to be that option A or nothing else. Even more so, our definition of certainty is broken and flawed. But from a non-dual point of view and from God’s perspective, faith is about possibilities where infinite options are possible.

When we get attached to a specific option and we limit God. Take, for instance, if we reduce every man’s success to one scenario or one laid out reality, we take away the relativity of our world. We know that our ideas of success and our borrowed parameters of what it means to be successful within our specific culture differs from person to person and place to place, and in so doing we sadly frame our expectations around specific outcomes and options.

When our faith is anchored on our option, we unknowingly reduce God to our thinking rather than allow Him to elevate us to His. This gradually eliminates every other possibility He has available to us and that is a pathetic way to live.

When we anchor our faith on God and keep the window of possibilities open including that cherished option, our faith is richer and fuller for that. So, free yourself from the tyranny of the regrets that you may have missed God’s will in choosing your career path or in losing past relationships, you didn’t — God’s will [unless explicitly stated] is simple, (whichever way you go, whichever career, whichever spouse) — God is working to give you hope and a great future.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

Instead, of regretting and second-guessing, make the most of where you are with what you have and with who you are. Hand your situations over to God and take that step of faith with him, knowing that he is with you. Surrendering your choices to God gives you an assurance of a better outcome, it may or may not be what you want, but it will always be best for you and it will always glorify Him!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” — Prov 3:5 -6

This does not mean sit and do nothing till God appears to show you the path. This means, launch out and get God involved, trusting that he is the Good shepherd. Being in God and in tune with the Spirit, you can’t miss God’s will, no matter how loud religion pushes that card. His will is where you are right now. Your options, both imagined and un-imagined, are all captured under the possibilities of His purpose.

There is no lost turn, there is simply yet another road with its own unfolding adventure.

Let’s circle in a bit on the points mentioned earlier:

Choosing a Job

Sometimes we may want a specific job so bad that we forget that there is a world and a God bigger than our limited desires. When we get more attached to a particular career or working in a certain organization than God’s all-knowing capacity, we arrive at a false certainty, and the outcome can become an idol, exalted above God.

However, when we focus more on the certainty of God’s goodness and his all-knowing power than to our desired answer, we discover that God is bigger than our preconceived answers and expectations.

He is the God of infinite possibilities and faith in God includes trust. Having absolute trust means believing even when it doesn’t make sense or it isn’t what we originally intended.

“…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” — 1 Corinth 2:9

Healing

God heals. He is committed to our healing and wholeness. In some cases, He supplies the grace to rise above the condition even while we are gradually healing from them, in other cases he heals instantly. Whether God responds instantly or not, we know that even in our suffering, he is working out a greater God for us. Take for example, Paul’s case which he described as a “thorn in his fless”

… even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. — 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

It’s important to note that our faith and belief play a role in all of this. Sometimes God has supplied the healing but He is waiting on us to step up our faith into full belief and bring the healing to life. But the truth is, waiting on God is knowing that whichever outcome may surface, God is completely good and even when we can’t see it, he is working the best for our good as far as we have our trust anchored on him.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28

Waiting on a Spouse

When waiting on God for the “right” spouse, God really just wants us to live our fullest life, not in deprivation or in despair as though we are losing out on life. God made you whole and complete. Be open to the possibilities of the people he will bring (and not bring) your way, no matter the outcome, as far as the process is sincerely submitted to God, the best is in making for you.

May we not be too easily pleased by mundane and mediocre desires, but may we discover true joy in His abundance! Amen.

Written by Ferdy Adimefe

Ferdy Adimefe is a serial entrepreneur passionate about culture and creative industrialization. He curates expressions centred on faith, innovation and technology. He is a Father, Husband, Author and conference speaker; He is also a Pastor at The Tribe Lagos.