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Do We Always Get What We Want?

Lately I have thought and written about having the faith to make things happen in our lives. If we pray and have faith, God promises he will answer. However, does this guarantee things will always go our way? I wish it did. Or do I?

One of my favorite Garth Brooks songs is "Unanswered Prayers" It's about a man who prayed strongly that he would end up with a particular woman of his dreams. It didn't happen. However, when he sees her at a high school football game years later, he realizes that she was not the quality woman he thought she was, and realizes how lucky he is to have the wife he has. He says, "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"

At one time I worked at a mortgage company. I was promoted to supervisor rather quickly. The next step would be manager, a step that many suggested would be a natural progression for me. I felt that way too. Finally the chance arrived. I was passed up and didn't get the job. A second chance soon came about. Surely God is on my side now, right? Again, I was not even considered for the job.

At this point I was hurt, angry, and confused. I prayed that God would bring an answer. I always regretted that I didn't become a teacher. Almost suddenly, the thought was put in my head. Long story short, I was back in school 6 months later, at 35 years old with 2 kids. Two years later I was a full time teacher. I am now in my 5th year as a teacher, and could not be happier. I thank God every day I did not get that promotion. I later found out that the manager job had a reputation for being stressful, thankless,and would have required long hours. Instead, I have a rewarding job as a teacher with the potential to make daily positive impacts on young people.

The bottom line is that God is in control. I feel like all of my prayers are being answered the way I would like lately. However, even when things don't go my way, I see more and more how, more likely than not, God is showing me an opportunity, and a better direction to take.
On a website called www.indianchild.com, I found the following reasons to be thankful in these situations:

Be thankful you don't have everything you desire. If you did, what would you have to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something, because it gives the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for difficult times. During those times we grow.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They give opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful when you are tired and weary because it means you have made a difference.

There are more, but I think you get the point. We don't like trouble and obstacles. But when we look at it the right way and see the good that is in it for us, I think the difficulties are a lot easier to take. I thank God for them.

Posted by joegin95 on 2008-05-20 21:58:25 | Rating: