Trusting in Jesus Christ is a journey that often comes with its share of challenges and questions. One of the most difficult aspects of this journey is when our prayers seem to go unanswered. We pray earnestly, we wait patiently, and yet, sometimes it feels as if heaven remains silent. This silence can be disheartening, but it is in these moments that our faith has the opportunity to deepen and grow. Today, let’s explore how we can trust and believe in Jesus Christ, even when our prayers seem unanswered.
The Foundation of Trust: Knowing God’s Character
To trust in Jesus, we must first understand His character. Jesus is loving, merciful, and just. He cares deeply for each of us and is involved in the details of our lives. Do you know the story of Lazarus in John 11? Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother was sick, but Jesus delayed His visit. Lazarus died, and it seemed as though Jesus had ignored their urgent request. When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Martha ran out to meet Him, expressing her grief and confusion. She said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). This statement resonates with many of us who have felt the sting of what appears to be divine silence. Yet, in this moment, Jesus revealed a profound truth about His character and His divine purpose.
Jesus responded to Martha, saying, “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23). He then made one of the most powerful declarations in the Bible: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). Jesus was not indifferent to their suffering; instead, He had a greater plan that would not only restore Lazarus to life but also demonstrate His power over death itself.
Jesus arrived in His perfect timing, not only to heal but to perform an even greater miracle. This story reminds us that Jesus operates on a divine timetable, and His delays are not denials but opportunities for His glory to be revealed in even greater ways.
When Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, He performed an extraordinary miracle that far exceeded the healing Mary and Martha initially sought. By delaying His response, Jesus turned a situation of sorrow into a profound demonstration of His divine authority and deepened the faith of everyone who witnessed the miracle.
Trust Beyond Our Understanding: Embracing God’s Wisdom
Our perspective is limited, but God’s wisdom is infinite. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trusting in Jesus means acknowledging that His understanding far exceeds our own. It means believing that He knows what is best for us, even when we cannot see the bigger picture. Sometimes, unanswered prayers are His way of protecting us or preparing us for something greater than we can imagine.
A powerful example comes from the life of Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who, along with her family, helped many Jews escape the Nazis during World War II. After being arrested and sent to a concentration camp, Corrie faced unimaginable hardship. She had prayed for protection and deliverance, but it seemed those prayers were unanswered as she endured suffering and loss.
Yet, through her trials, Corrie experienced God’s presence in profound ways. She was able to share her faith with fellow prisoners, bringing hope and comfort in the darkest of places. After the war, she became an influential speaker and author, spreading a message of forgiveness and faith to the world. Her story is a testament to how God’s wisdom often leads us through difficult paths to accomplish His greater purposes.
In our daily lives, we may encounter situations where we are tempted to rely on our own understanding.
For instance, a friend of mine, Sarah, went through a painful breakup. She had envisioned a future with her partner, and the breakup felt like the end of her dreams. However, over time, she realized that the relationship was not healthy and that God had someone better in mind for her. Years later, she met her now-husband, a man who shares her faith and values, and with whom she has built a beautiful family. Looking back, Sarah sees how God’s wisdom protected her and prepared her for a far better relationship.
Trusting beyond our understanding also means recognizing that unanswered prayers can be God’s way of protecting us. Embracing God’s wisdom requires a shift in perspective. It means trusting that His plans are for our good, even when they don’t align with our immediate desires. It means believing that God sees the beginning and the end, and every intricate detail in between. When we submit to His will, we open ourselves up to the possibility of growth, transformation, and blessings beyond our wildest dreams.
The Power of Persistence: Praying with Faith and Patience
Jesus taught us the value of persistent prayer in Luke 18:1-8 through the parable of the persistent widow. She kept coming to the unjust judge with her plea, and eventually, he granted her request because of her persistence. Jesus used this parable to show that we should always pray and not give up. When it feels like our prayers are going unanswered, it is an invitation to deepen our faith, to keep seeking, asking, and knocking, believing that God hears us and will respond in His perfect timing.
Trusting in the Process: God’s Plan for Our Growth
Sometimes, the process of waiting is itself a critical part of God’s plan for our growth. Romans 5:3-5 tells us that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. When our prayers seem unanswered, it might be a season where God is building our character, teaching us to rely more fully on Him, and preparing us for the future He has planned. These seasons of waiting and uncertainty can strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Jesus.
Finding Peace in God’s Presence: Seeking Him First
My aunt once said to me, “Seek the Healer first, not just the healing”. When we seek to be close to Jesus, building a relationship and we are not just looking for what He can do for us, our perspective changes. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present our requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. When we focus on seeking God’s presence rather than just His answers, we find a peace that sustains us through the waiting. Trusting in Jesus means valuing our relationship with Him above the answers to our prayers.
Holding on to Hope: Jesus is Our Anchor
Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Our hope in Jesus is not based on our circumstances but on His unchanging character and promises. The world changes but Jesus never changes. He is faithful, and His love for us is steadfast. Even when we do not understand His ways, we can trust His heart. This hope anchors us, giving us stability and confidence, even in the face of unanswered prayers.
A Motivational Conclusion: Stepping into Unshakable Faith
As we navigate the challenges of unanswered prayers, let us remember that our faith in Jesus is not contingent upon getting everything we ask for but on trusting Him in all things. Let’s choose to believe that He is good, that He is for us, and that His plans for us are filled with hope and a future.
When we trust and believe in Jesus Christ, even when He doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we expect, we step into a deeper, unshakable faith. We become resilient, rooted, and ready to face whatever comes our way with confidence and peace. Let’s hold on to the promise that Jesus is with us, He hears us, and He is working all things together for our good. In this journey of faith, let’s keep our eyes fixed on Him, knowing that He is our ultimate source of strength, hope, and unwavering love.
Believe in His timing, trust in His wisdom, and rest in His peace. Your faith is not in vain, and your prayers are heard. Step forward today with renewed trust in Jesus Christ, and watch as He transforms your life in ways beyond your greatest dreams. You are stronger than you think, and with Jesus by your side, there is nothing you cannot overcome.
