When your dreams are shattered

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.  1 Kings 18:21

What do you do when your dreams are shattered and your prayers go unanswered? Or more specifically, what do you do when you ask God for something, and you don’t get it? 

You prayed that your marriage would succeed, but your wife got involved with an officemate and walked out on you, leaving you with two kids. 

You prayed that your child would recover, but he died, the most devastating thing that ever could have happened. Your heart cries out, “God, where were You?” When we are confronted with situations such as these, we usually forget what we really know.

When your dreams are shattered and your prayers go unanswered, remember that God never promised to give you everything you ask for. Instead, He promised to meet your needs. He promised never to leave you and to give you peace as you trust Him. He promised to bring healing and hope. He promised to give you the assurance that your sins are forgiven and that you will live in His presence for all eternity.

God’s love for you is constant. You may ask, “How can He love me and not give me what I ask for?’ Do you love your children? Do you give them everything they ask for?

Remind yourself that your love for Him must go beyond the gifts that He gives to you, the prayers that He answers, and the blessings He pours out in your life.

God loves you and accepts you unconditionally, but He also has a will that may be different from yours. Through times of testing and difficulty you will experience how great He is and eventually learn to say, “Thy will be done, Father!”

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Direction will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:6-11