When you do not like the answer…

Another post from dear reader Anna of GlassHouseDesign …  be blessed by her encouragement if you find yourself not liking an answer today.

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Sophie cried bitterly in her room, with her door all but closed. I had told her to go upstairs and calm down. She wanted me to hear just how upset she was. I had answered her question with an answer she did not like.

She thought if she asked…

The injustice involved a piece of fruit. Sophie had eaten plenty earlier in the day, so when she asked politely for more after rest time, I said no. The fruit was not bad for her. It could be said that it was actually good. But, knowing the whole picture, I told her she may not have it. It was not the right time. More fruit right then would have made her sick.

While she calmed down upstairs, the Lord nudged my heart. I had been asking Him for a lot of fruit in my prayers lately. Instead of listening to His answers for me, I had been politely demanding my own way. I asked nicely, thinking I could make my plan. He answered. And I did not like it. Why wasn’t the Lord

giving me what I wanted?! I was asking for good things. I was asking for other people. I was sincere.

But, knowing the whole picture…

In John 11, we are invited to witness an interaction between Martha and Jesus. Martha most likely resonates with a part of us. She loves Jesus, but she is the woman who questions. Who pushes back just a little.

In the first few verses we find out that Lazarus is sick and his sisters, Mary and Martha, send word toJesus. They describe their brother as “the one whom Jesus loves.” When He hears, it seems that Jesus would go, should go, and bring healing, preventing any pain that comes from waiting or experiencing loss.

He loves him, doesn’t He?! Upon receiving this information, however, Jesus explains that the sickness is for God’s glory.

Mary and Martha are not with Jesus. They do not hear His explanations or see His emotion…they have sent the word and wait. They have prayed for a good thing, and they do not like the answer.

Lazarus dies. The sisters have cared for a sick brother, buried him, and found themselves in bitter grief. Jesus had not come. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask” (vs 21-22). She is honest with Jesus. She felt let down. She did not like that He could have prevented grief and chose not to.

Jesus does answer in a mighty way; He raises Lazarus.

But during the waiting process only Jesus knew what would happen. There was a season of Mary and Martha not liking the answer.

Sometimes the glory is revealed in the last moment.

When we feel like all has been lost and we do not like the answer, Jesus is waiting for the sake of His Father’s glory. It would have been nice to heal Lazarus as soon as the sickness came upon him, but the miracle would have been lost. No one would have grown. The disciples would not have seen. Jesus was acting according to the whole picture.

Take heart, sister. You may be somewhere in the waiting process right now, praying for something and so unsure of why things keep happening…but the Lord will fulfill His plan in your life and it will always be for His glory and for your ultimate best. You can trust Him. You can be honest with Him. He will speak to your heart.

“Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
(John 11:40)

Thank you, Anna, for sharing this with us. Thanks, all, for reading.