“It is strange that while praying,
we seldom ask for a change of
character but always a change
of circumstance.” – Anonymous.
Isn’t it funny how we always try to pray ourselves out of tough situations? We tend to pray that God would change our situation or merely take us out of it. The more I see others and myself (insert conviction here) do this, the more I realize how wrong it is and how dangerous it can be to spiritual growth.
Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand that all circumstances are NOT fun, with many being very difficult and ever hurtful at times. It’s completely human to want a life with perfect circumstances, BUT that doesn’t make it right and it certainly doesn’t give us a right to whine to God because we’re uncomfortable.
Personally, (yes, I’ll be honest with ya) I don’t enjoy hard situations. I tend to moan at uneasy circumstances (i.e. times of doubt, facing the unknown, periods of waiting, forgiving and loving those who have hurt me, BIG life changes, wanting revenge NOW, etc.) I’m sure you can relate to at least one of those (come on, be honest with yourself). So many times I’d feed myself the deceitful lies – “I’m allowed to moan at uncomfortable things,” or “It’s normal for me to feel this way.” Well any true Christian would know that normalcy tends to exude the opposite of Christ – meaning NOT the route to be on.
I’m learning more and more how selfish I and many Christians can be. (We’re not supposed to act as the fool in Proverbs 18:1-2, y'all). It saddens me that many times I can dissect a situation into how it’s hurt ME, how it’s too much for ME to handle, how it’s not what I want at the moment, or heaven forbid that I have to change, or… well, you get the picture. I can make situations become all about me and my fleshly desires. Oh, how thankful I am that Christ didn’t live like that.
Now onto the point and take away here:
I am so glad God is still and will always be in the teaching business, as I am continually learning and being sanctified daily. As a Christian, I continually learn more and more how my life is NOT about me. Contradictory statement? Not in the least bit (John 3:30). My example, Christ, came to this world in obedience to His Father (not for Himself). He died on a cross for the world to fulfill God’s plan (obviously, not at all for His personal gain or comfort, Luke 22:42). Yet so many times we, ‘Christ followers’ tend to pray and ask God for any route other than the example Christ laid out for us, purposely leaving out “..not my will, but Thy will be done.” Truth is, we’re more worried about our own comfort and selfish desires – sadly.
I believe God asks a totally different attitude of us. In trying and uncomfortable circumstances, we should pray that God would graciously change our hearts, making and sanctifying us to be more like Him. When others are involved, we should be lifting them up and loving them even when it’s hard, praying that God would draw them to Himself (if not saved), bless them, use them, and use the situation to benefit their relationship with God (NOT talking about, judging, belittling them, etc. – Proverbs 19:11). Most importantly, we’ve got to understand that every situation, whether good or bad, can either glorify or defame God. Our goal in this life should be making much of God – meaning our purpose in EVERY situation has NOTHING to do with us, but everything to do with God’s glory. (Psalm 115:1).
I leave you with this:
STOP asking God to change the situations that you don’t like in your life, yet ask Him to change your heart, that you might grow to His likeness and bring glory to His name through it.
So, how are you handling and praying about your uncanny circumstances?
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