There are four simple words that will revolutionize your walk with God: Your will be done.
Matthew 26 tells us that Jesus prayed those words three times. In his most agonizing, painful, sorrowful time, Jesus cried out to God. He asked God to take the cup away from him, to find another way, to free him from His wrath…but he finished the prayer with this: Your will be done.
You see, Jesus understood this: prayer doesn’t change God’s mind, it changes our hearts. It changed my heart.
I remember a day towards the end of May 2009. It was less than one month before I was to be married to Isaac, my fiancé who was battling osteosarcoma. He came over to tell me his latest set of scan results. In my mind I thought “This is it God. I know You wouldn’t let us get married if Your plan wasn’t to heal Isaac.” But, Isaac had different news: the cancer was still there.
I was ANGRY at God. I couldn’t believe He would let me down like this. I cried and I yelled. I threatened to walk away from my faith. I reminded God of all the faithful and spiritual things Isaac and I had done to honor Him in our relationship.
I eventually came to a conclusion. I couldn’t get angry every time we got news that I didn’t like. I couldn’t bring God any glory if I was full of bitterness. I couldn’t go through the most difficult trial of my life without my best friend, my Savior, by my side.
So, I started praying differently. Rather than praying just “God please heal Isaac.” I prayed “God, I really want You to heal Isaac. But if that’s not Your will, then okay. Just get me through it, give me strength, help me be okay.” And God answered.
It’s been 6 months since Isaac met Jesus. During the 8 months of our marriage, the news was bad at every turn: there are spots all over the lungs, it’s pneumonia, the lesions have grown, there’s fluid in the lungs, it’s time for oxygen, we need to call hospice. Every time I prayed “God, Your will be done. Just help me accept it. Give me strength.”
Praying those four simple words changed my walk with God. I know He isn’t letting me down when things don’t go the way I want them to. Adding those four simple words to my prayers taught me this: Unlike our circumstances, God NEVER changes. Unlike our circumstances, God is ALWAYS good. That’s why, we don’t sing praises to our circumstances – we sing praises to our God.
Leave a Comment
I Live in an Antbed says
Powerful testimony! Thank you!!
You are so very right about prayer. And yet it is hard to truly trust. It’s like C. S. Lewis says: “We’re not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be. ” And in the face of that pain, we have to cling to the truth that everything the Lord allows us to walk through is the most loving way He can accomplish His purposes in us.
May He bless you for glorifying Him through the words of your testimony.
Holley Gerth says
“Unlike our circumstances, God NEVER changes.” Jessica, I love the way you said that. I’ve been walking through infertility for over six years and it seems God keeps whispering, “Yield. Lean in to me.” Then I picture clay in a Potter’s hands and I know that’s what I have to do–the only other option is to harden and be broken. Thank you for sharing out of your pain and giving us all HOPE. So glad your words and heart are here with us today!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Holley Gerth, sometimes reading your comments is my favorite part of (in)courage. I just love you and your great big mama’s heart that loves on so many, many, MANY of God’s children. We love you so very much.
Lisa-Jo
Stacey says
What a beautiful smile you have! Thanks for sharing your story here today. God is using you to speak His truth to others that are in that hard place today. You are giving others courage…and that is what (in) courage is all about!
Blessings!
Laura says
“That’s why, we don’t sing praises to our circumstances – we sing praises to our God.” Amen. It’s so true. We must always remember that God has a plan – many times not the one we would want or desire. But he knows best. He knows what he has planned for us, for our lives and how those plans will impact others – just like your journey has led you here. To write this post. On this blog. At this time. And, maybe, just maybe speak words that someone going through similar trying circumstances needs to hear. Right now.
Thank you for your story, and for reminding us that God is in control.
Laura
Desiray says
I love how you said Lord if it is your Will..so many times when we pray we don’t ask if it’s His will..that is why when I pray with a person I always tell them that I am going to pray that Jesus helps you to accept His answer because it may not be His Will for YOU>
Thanks for sharing!
Cheryl says
Thanks, Jessica! These are the things we need to be reminded of daily.
It takes more faith to believe God when He doesn’t answer the way we think He should. Indeed, that’s truly what it means to offer a “sacrifice of praise.” We don’t see where God’s going with the plan, but we step out in obedience, knowing God credits our faith as righteousness.
I appreciate your vulnerability and maturity in calling us to a praise moment, right here, right now… And oh, how healing to shift our minds off our difficult circumstances and unto the One who holds the plan in His holy hands! Blessings!
Michelle says
Oh this is so powerful! Such a great message and a little bit of a wake up call (for myself at least). Thanks for sharing! <333
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
Wow! What a beautiful testimony from such a difficult journey. Thank you for sharing with us!
Janis@Open My Ears Lord says
What an amazing story~how God changed your heart when you asked for His will to be done. And how amazing that you follow Him with such joy even when your husband was not healed. What strength! You are a shining light for others.
Blessings,
Janis