Real and Authentic

Last week, I wrote about past experiences that built my tust in God and gave examples of answered prayer.

But to be real and authentic, I must also share with you times He said "No" to a prayer, or even "Wait."

Once, we lived in Indiana for about 4 years. This was a time of great poverty, yet some of our greatest spiritual growth. It was also when we saw the biggest answer to  prayer in the form of a "Yes," which was the natural biological birth of our first daughter.

However; during that time there was also an answer to prayer in the form of a "No."

Our house in Illinois was being rented; yet we longed to sell it and get out from under the financial burden. Many prayers had been lifted heavenward concerning this debt, but no answer came. The house just would not sell.

Now, I had reasoned, "I pay my tithes, I give whatever I can in offerings, I've been faithful to you, God. Why will You not let our house sell?"

But God knew something I didn't. Jim would lose his job and we would have to go back home.  We would need a place to stay.

More importantly, that house would be paid off when in the future Jim became ill and was unable to work. How thankful I was that at least I didn't have to worry about a mortgage when I became the breadwinner!

God was actually kind to say "No" to my prayer of asking for the house to sell.

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So, we see God's best for us might require a "No" answer from Him. Always trust Him and know He sees things we don't know.

Next time, we will talk about when God says "Wait."

This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday community's prompt, "real" The post was written in 5 minutes; looking up scripture and creating the graphic took longer.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.

Also, have you read my series, "Armed and Dangerous" about spiritual warfare? Click the links for part 1, part 2 and part 3

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Remember Me Monday.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.