Dear Conflicted,
WORDS // MARISS EANES
Do you ever find yourself desperately chasing after something that just is not fit for you? Maybe it’s a person rather than a thing. Many, if not all of us, have been down that road before.
At some point in our lives we have all spent far too much time longing for things that God simply did not want for us (we just didn’t know it at the time). Maybe at this very moment you are hoping for that certain special thing. A phone call from that dream job you just applied for or that “almost relationship” you’ve been waiting to lock down for weeks, maybe months!
Friends, whatever place you are in right now I want to pause and share some encouragement with you.
From time to time we are overwhelmed with new opportunities in our lives. We have moments where these new and exciting possibilities take over our thoughts and we suddenly find ourselves in a place of longing. We easily become distracted by our own wants and can be disappointed if our plans do not prevail.
Our rebellious nature can bring us to seek things that are outside of God's plan for our lives and we begin justifying these things even if we already know they do not align with what glorifies Him.
I can easily admit that I am guilty of this. I am guilty of being selfish and wanting to make my own plans without consulting God; I am guilty of seeking relationships that I knew deep down would not bear fruit.
These are just a few examples of how easy it is to get caught up in what we want that we fail to ask God what it is He wants for us. However there is a silver lining to all of this, there is one simple word I can share with you that in my experience never fails, and that word is prayer.
I know it seems like the typical answer but just hear me out. When we find ourselves in situations like this do we talk with God about it?
The answer is often no, we typically ask God to give us that thing it is we are so desperately seeking. However the questions we should be asking in our prayers would be something like, “Lord is this good for me? Is this in your will for my life? Will this (thing/relationship) help me to glorify you?”
Many times we become discouraged or even frustrated spiritually when we think God is not hearing our prayers, or in this case not giving us what it is we are wanting. Yet how often do we stop and ask ourselves "Lord, am I giving you what you want of my life?"
When we find ourselves conflicted about our wants we should take a moment to pray and ask God questions like these. Now if you’re impatient like me you might be disappointed to find out that this can take a while to know the answer. However, we serve a God whose timing is impeccable, whose plans are far greater than our own and whose promises never fail.
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
Friends, it is so important that we seek God’s discernment. At the end of the day we are all His children whom He loves. I encourage you to pray and ask God these tough questions, after all God wants us to be in constant communication with Him, this is why He gave us the gift of prayer. Even if you don’t get the answers you are looking for, know that God has better in store for you than you can imagine.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
Additional words of wisdom:
Psalm 27:14, Psalm 5:3
Sincerely,
Kindred
LETTERING // SAM PALENCIA | PHOTO // MARISS EANES