Change in the Circumstances
by Deanna Gworek / Global Missions Ministry Assistant
There have been obstacles in my life that I just wanted God to remove. I prayed for Him to take me out of the situation without ever considering that He allowed me to be there for a reason. Lately, through devotionals (“Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge” by Mark Batterson) and the words of friends, I’m being reminded these trials are serving a bigger purpose.
For example, when I admit to myself that maybe it’s not everyone else’s fault I’m suffering, He shows me what I can do differently, and life seems to be a little more joyous. My prayers are now for God to open my eyes to see how He can use me in this and to give me the strength to keep going. I know these trials are keeping me focused on God and when we fix our eyes on Him the hardships of this world don’t seem so hopeless.
While there are times we need to pray for God to get us out of our situation, there are also times we need to pray for God to get us through the situation. We need to remember prayer CAN change our circumstances, but when our circumstances don’t change, it’s often because God is trying to change us.
There have been obstacles in my life that I just wanted God to remove. I prayed for Him to take me out of the situation without ever considering that He allowed me to be there for a reason. Lately, through devotionals (“Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge” by Mark Batterson) and the words of friends, I’m being reminded these trials are serving a bigger purpose.
For example, when I admit to myself that maybe it’s not everyone else’s fault I’m suffering, He shows me what I can do differently, and life seems to be a little more joyous. My prayers are now for God to open my eyes to see how He can use me in this and to give me the strength to keep going. I know these trials are keeping me focused on God and when we fix our eyes on Him the hardships of this world don’t seem so hopeless.
While there are times we need to pray for God to get us out of our situation, there are also times we need to pray for God to get us through the situation. We need to remember prayer CAN change our circumstances, but when our circumstances don’t change, it’s often because God is trying to change us.