Too often, we hurry through life. So, right now, pause and take a deep breath. Why not take a few deep breaths before you continue reading? Go ahead. Stop reading and take at least three deep breaths. Okay? Got it? Now, let’s continue.

Why do we rush? Perhaps, we stay up as late as possible and then get to bed too late and fail to get enough sleep. This results in our sleeping as late as possible, usually not accomplishing what needs to be done in the morning or failing to arrive at the appointment a little early. We fail to have enough time when we bump into an acquaintance on the street or to give time to that unexpected phone call, making us late for where we need to arrive or what we need to do. In our rush, we not only slight people, but we make them feel less valuable. All this is because we stayed up too late the night before, and now we’re tired, feeling slightly depressed, rushed all day long, and never completely caught up. We often fail to permit enough time to do and enjoy what needs to be done. Even what pleasure we should have feels rushed and less satisfying.

So, do yourself a favor right now. Don’t read this article until you’re rested. Please don't read this article until you have ample time. It's short, only around 1400 words. Give yourself five to seven minutes of uninterrupted time. Read it slowly. Contemplate the words carefully. The flowing prayer comes not from me; rather, it’s attributed to a Confederate soldier who lay dead on the battlefield, and a paper was found in his pocket. The paper is our focus. Whether that story is true doesn’t matter. The point is to read what someone with wisdom wrote.

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey ...

I asked for health, that I might do great things.

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things ...

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.

I was given poverty, that I might be wise ...

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God ...

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things ...

I got nothing I asked for—but everything I had hoped for. 

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among men, most richly blessed." ― Confederate soldier

If we have enough years behind us, we’ve all experienced what the soldier wrote. We ask God for things we think will improve our lives. We ask for extra strength. We ask for things that we believe will enable us to help others. We ask for wealth to use for people's good. We ask for healing of an infirmity so we can touch others. We ask, we ask, we ask of God, always with the intent of what might make us better people so that we can help others. Sometimes God answers our request, but other times we feel shunned.  

We ask God, “Why?” Or we ask, “Why not?” Why can’t I have the life of . . . whoever you name. Why doesn’t God answer our prayers? Or does He.

In his letter to the Church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote about a health problem that he never mentioned anywhere else. Maybe his readers knew of it, but we have no idea today. All we know is that Paul wanted it gone. Let’s read what he wrote.

^7b Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” - 2 Corinthians 12:7^b–9 (NIV)

If you’ve been a Christian for very long, you know that passage. Sadly, however, we forget it when we ask God for help or relief from our thorn. And – we all have a thorn.

Anytime we pray to God for something we desire, we pray for help concerning our thorn. Many times, we feel God has forgotten us and not answered our plea, but that's not true because God always hears and answers our prayers.

God answers our prayers, but we often don't see His answer or understand how He answers us. God always has the best for us in mind, and we can often see this by how we care for our children.  

If your 4-year-old child has a terrible cold and asks for a box of chocolate candy, you're probably not going to give it to him. You know the candy will likely make the cold worse. Your child might not understand, but you know what is best because you see the big picture.  

Now, turn that illustration of our children’s request of us to our requests to God. We ask for something that sounds great to us, but God, as our parent, knows that what we ask is not what we need. He might see how it will hurt us, or He might see that allowing us to struggle will make us a better person.  

Personally, I can complain to God about some aspects of my life. I could name them, but I won’t. What? Does the preacher complain to God? Yes. I've done a lot of complaining. I've suffered a lot in many ways, but so have you. You likely have worse problems than me and would view my complaints as petty.  

Maybe you've lived with some hardship your entire life. Perhaps you don't like the cards you've been dealt. You may have an illness, an impairment, or an obstacle that hinders your ability. Whatever it is, you’ve prayed for some sense of relief and normalcy, but God hasn’t answered to your liking. Maybe God is telling you that you’re a better person because of your thorn. Whatever it is, God has answered, is answering, or will answer your prayer for your good. You just might not see it because of your limited vision. None of us has the wisdom of God. 

This article does not make light of your situation or problem. It is simply calling on every person to look to God with the faith of Jesus, and to trust our Father in heaven. No, it’s not easy. It’s often overwhelming to the point of literally crying and begging God, but as difficult as it is, the Apostle Paul sets the example in his writing when God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor, 12:9). But Paul wasn’t done there. Let's read on.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (NIV)

Why? Because we all complain to God at times. We often question God. We want to know the "why" of things. We often don't like the cards He dealt us. We wish life were easier, but let’s remember what a wise man once said.  

"Don't wish life were easier; work to get better." - Jim Rohn

Learning and practicing deeper trust in God is the best way to get better. We learn by working as best we can to improve ourselves, others, and life’s situations.

We'll do much better if we slow down, not only to read but to live. Slow down to trust God. He’s got you. Let’s learn to trust Him. 

Love you,

Kenny