The Problem of Unanswered Prayer

It's been a month today, since my accident in Colorado. I seem to have numerous things that God is teaching me during this season of life. I decided to look back in my prayer journal and see what I had written down on the day of my accident. (July 23) One of my prayers was "Lord, give us safety today and plan our time." Mmmm. I don't know about you, but my first thought when I read this is "God did NOT answer my prayer." I had asked him specifically that morning to keep us safe, yet off we went to a mountain lake, and boom, my dog lunged into the water, my feet planted, a big twist of the body and I was down. Broken ankle bones. So, for all practical purposes, it would seem that God did not answer my prayer. Right?

Here in lies the problem. We humans don't know what to do with God when our prayers aren't answered. We pray for someone to live and they die. We pray for a certain job and don't get it. We pray for a spouse and we're still single. Often, if we don't see prayers being answered, we stop praying. We basically give up on God. Have you considered that "no" or "wait" are also answers from God?

But for me, in this particular situation, I have come to believe that God had some greater purpose in my accident. Do you remember Job of the Bible? Job asked God repeatedly for healing, Unknown to Job, God was at work behind the scenes, using Job's story for God's greater glory. I honestly believe that God had something greater in mind than answering my prayer the way I wanted.

Sometimes we may never know why God chooses to answer some prayers and not others. God doesn't have favorites, like humans do. God doesn't withhold love to some and really bless others because their super good, popular or successful. God loves ALL people, but longs for relationship with them. You are I were created to be in communion with God. Prayer is conversation with God. Conversation....listening, speaking, and waiting.

Honestly, sometimes, there's not a real good answer to unanswered prayer, except we have to allow God to be God. He will answer prayer how He chooses. I'm not really enjoying this season of life. But, I still choose to thank God for it and ask Him to use it in my life and others for a greater purpose. What about you? How do you view unanswered prayer in your life? Take a moment today to reflectively read the verses and quote below. What might God be teaching you about Himself and prayer?
  
"We are a Divine work of art, something That God is making and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character." C. S. Lewis

"His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He." Deuteronomy 32:4

"He will cause all things to work together for our good- if we truly love Him and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker- an earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, "What are you doing?" Isaiah 45:9

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Conquering Fears

I remember it well. My first day at a Toastmasters meeting. I felt like I was back in first grade all over again. The meeting was held in a Denny's Restaurant every Monday morning in North Dallas off Central Expressway. I was determined to get there early, meet some people and settle into my seat. The room was electric for such an early hour as 7:00 a.m. What would the meeting be like?

As I walked in, I was greeted by what seemed like a bunch of high-powered businessmen and women from around North Dallas. Would I fit in? Would I be able to speak? Then, the dreaded moment came. They asked me to speak! I knew being inconspicuous and hiding in the restroom was not an option. So, I stood up and addressed the audience. I uttered a few words about enjoying the meeting and that I would be back next week. Yikes! What did I just say? I would be back next week. What was I thinking?

I spent the next 10 years in Toastmasters. Why? Because I not only wanted to conquer my fear, but grow into a better speaker and leader. As time went on, I watched God give me opportunities to speak in all sizes of groups here in the states and abroad. Did I still fear? Some, but not as much. With God confidence and consistent training in my weakness, I was able to conquer my fear. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

Her words echo in my mind today. Here I sit, with a wheelchair, crutches and scooter as my new walking partners. Having just had ankle surgery, there is still much discomfort. Unsteadiness. Pain. Fear. Questions. To be honest, there are times I'm afraid I will hurt myself by attempting new things. I'm faced with the challenge that I faced in Toastmasters. You must do the thing you think you cannot do. That is the secret to my future success.

What about you? How does fear grip you? How do you run from risk? Stay in your comfort zone? Easily accept mediocrity? No matter what season of life, we are called to live fully! Even in this temporary challenge I face, I don't want to miss the abundance and joy that God can give me. Today. When things aren't perfect, normal or easy. I don't. I hope you don't either.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

"I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Love and Patience

Before Ben and I left for our vacation to Colorado, I remember sharing with him something I was kind of scared to share. "Ben, I really want to grow in showing love and patience on this trip and I need your help." Yep, that's right. Love and patience. I wanted to grow in becoming a more loving and patient person, with him, our guests and those I encounter on the vacation. Why didn't I just keep my big mouth shut?

Fast-forward three weeks. Here I sit, waiting for my surgery for two broken bones in my ankle. All that occurred while on vacation, cutting a much-needed two-week vacation way short. I don't feel very loving and patient right now. I'm ready for this surgery to happen (note the patience) and actually be on that infamous road to recovery.

But, honestly, I feel like God IS answering my prayers! I saw countless people come to my side in Colorado to care for me while in trauma. I watched my husband and all my friends lovingly and patiently meet my every need. Upon arriving home, I was blessed by members of our life group showering us with meals, staying over night while Ben was gone and meeting needs around the house. Texts. Phone calls. Cards. Prayers. Yep. I've learned love and patience through watching others.

God is also helping make my desire a personal reality. I think most of us wouldn't enjoy being sequestered on the couch day after day, week after week. We wouldn't relish trying to wheel in and out of furniture or hop around on a crutch all day. We value independence and control. We relish productivity! Getting things done! Moving! Active! Being accomplished. Yet, it is these very circumstances that God is teaching me about love and patience! Loving others when I'm cranky and in pain. Being patient when I'm tired of waiting. In the quietness of these four walls, I've been meditating on these Scriptures that call out to my need…..

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18

These verses give me such encouragement and comfort! How about you? Do you need a healthy measure of love and patience today? Ask God for help. Don't worry! He will never let anything happen to you outside his perfect plan for your life.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Beautiful Feet

I’ve never thought a lot about my feet. Well, to be honest, today I’m dreaming about what it would  be like to get a really nice pedicure and foot massage. Oh, my feet would feel so incredibly happy!   But, now my feet are in a different state. Since my accident in Colorado, my right foot is wearing a Fuschia Teva Sandal it’s lived in for the last 10 days. The left foot, somewhat mangled and bruised, is  wearing a big ugly black boot.  No doubt, this is a real tough time for these guys. In fact, it’s tough for  me to even take a look at these guys. Pretty sad. As I was studying God’s Word this morning, I was studying a verse that spoke about beautiful feet. In fact, it jumped right out at me! Here it is: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace,  who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.’”  (Isaiah 52:7 ESV)  As I looked at this verse closely, I saw someone who, no matter what was going on  in his or her life, would not stop declaring the beautiful message that  “Your God reigns.”  This morning, I thought about what life would look like if I REALLY believed that passage. If God reigned in my life, fully and totally, how would I view my circumstances?  God made it clear to me that I could be  one whom publishes peace and shares the good news of happiness. God made it clear to me that I could  serve and encourage others, even while I was hurting. What about you? Are you a publisher of peace?  In the midst of yucky circumstances, are you tethered onto the peace that God alone offers? What is  keeping you from experiencing this amazing peace? I know the days ahead with surgery and recovery will not be easy for me. But, today, reading this verse, gave me a new way to live. I want to be a publisher of peace in the midst of my circumstance. Every day.  Total peace. Don’t you? What would it look like for you to be happy and joyful when everything going on  around you says you should feel differently? That, my friend, is the peace of God. Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Pits

I'm still waking up each morning, trying to wish away my new reality. It was just a week ago, that my dog yanked me as she jumped into a Colorado lake, causing me to twirl around. It's amazing how one yank can change everything! This new reality hasn't been easy. I am supposed to "rest and elevate" for two weeks prior to surgery. I'm struggling to do the simplest of things I normally take for granted. Honestly, this new reality feels so hard for an active, hard-to-sit-still girl.

When was the last time you woke up with a new reality? Where life is just NOT the same. Things are difficult. Not what you expected. Where you can't do what you really want to do. Where you realize you're not in control. Where the pain of yesterday keeps creeping into the reality of today. Yep…. You may not have a broken ankle, but perhaps you do relate to the  "pits" that lock you from truly living. Pits of unforgiveness. Pits of anger. Pits of despair. Pits of depression. Pits of anxiety. Pits of loneliness. Pits of self pity. 

We try so hard to hide our pits, but often we can't.  I find it hard to hide my discouragement. My fears. My inabilities to do much of anything. My insecurities. Yet, God knows and cares about all these things. I can't hide anything from Him! I am reminded that King David in the Bible had his share of pits.  Who knows exactly what his pit was, but take a moment and read how he handled his pit:

"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair; out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)

So, the lesson for me is this…. 1. Learn to wait patiently for the Lord to help me.  2. He will lift me out of the pit of despair. 3. He will set my feet on solid ground and steady me as I walk "or crutch" along. 4. He will give me a new song of praise to sing to God. So, I start this day with a new hope. I will not let the "pits of life' crush me to the core. I will hold on to His promises. I pray you will as well.

Nancy Abbott  is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio..