Sometimes in life, we feel frustration. Often, this is because God is moving in our hearts for a specific outcome, but we can’t yet see that outcome in our everyday lives and experiences. The delay causes our spirits to chafe against reality – against our lives, our friends, our circumstances.
The temptation in a season of frustration is to fixate on one of two things: 1) what isn’t happening, and 2) the specific outcome that God has revealed to us.
When we fixate on what isn’t happening, our frustration increases. We miss what God IS doing because our eyes are on what God ISN’T doing. If this goes on long enough, we can become victims of everything that is in the way of God’s will. I’ve met these fatalistic Christians; they want God to move but don’t have an ounce of faith for it. “The world is getting worse and worse; there’s nothing we can do about it…” “God told me that He’s going to do this good thing for me, but all of this stuff is warring against me…”
When we fixate on the specific outcome, we also miss what God is doing. Because when we trade our relationship with God for a relationship with His promise, we give up our ability to move with Him and His heart. God isn’t entirely fixated on your prophetic word or even on the promises He has made (as much as they are “yes” and we speak the “amen!” to them (2 Corinthians 1:20)). Yes, He has promised it. Yes, He can and will bring it to pass. But the promise should never get in the way of what God is doing in you and through you.
For example, we all know the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22). God promised that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through Isaac (Genesis 21:12). However, Abraham did not allow the promise of God to get in the way of moving with God when God him to sacrifice his son Isaac. God came through to fulfill His promise even when all seemed lost (Hebrews 11:17-19).
Let me give you a more practical, 21st century example (since most of us aren’t ever going to be tempted to sacrifice our firstborn son, for which they are very grateful). Let’s say that God has promised, both to you personally and also through prophetic words, that you are going to become a pastor of a church with over 1,000 attendees on any given Sunday.
You can (and should!) be working toward that goal prayerfully with God. This might take the form of training, accepting smaller leadership positions, and intentionally getting yourself into situations where you can practice things you’ll need in such a position (counseling, preaching, leadership, etc.). However, the promise and the prophecy can never take the place of following God’s leading in your life, right now. Even if it’s just to be a lowly factory worker. Or spend ten or more years struggling in a church plant. Or helping people around your neighborhood.
Don’t allow the gap between what you know God is doing and what you see happening to break your faith in what He has promised. Don’t become so enamored with what He has promised that you miss what He is doing right now. If my experience is anything to go by, the promise will come true – but it will be less of a destination and more of a “Look what God has done!” along the way.
