Why Does God Feel So Silent Right Now?

Speaker A00:00:28

I got this question. I just had to share it on today's show. Ralph, I've been praying for a financial breakthrough, but it feels like God's not even listening.I'm doing everything right, but nothing's changing. Why does he feel so silent? And I took a little bit and I thought, you know what? This reminds me of the famous poem.And I want to read this poem today on the show because I felt like this just connected with your question. It's called Footprints in the Sand.Now, this is one of those public domains, so I don't know any exactly who wrote it, but let me just read that today. And it says this. One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.In each scene, I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints. Other times there was only one set of footprints.This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, you promised me, Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.But I've noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there's only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you the most, have you not been there for me? And the Lord replied.He said, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.And, you know, I think we all can learn from that. It kind of chokes me up as I read that, because we've all had seasons where we feel like God has gone silent.We have those times when we might be praying incessantly. We're waiting, we're hoping, but nothing seems to change. The heavens feel quiet. And you start to wonder, lord, are you even listening?And maybe that's you right now. You've been asking God for a breakthrough, maybe a financial breakthrough. Maybe it's a job, maybe healing.Or maybe it's a relationship you desperately want restored. And no matter how much you pray, it feels like your words are just hitting the ceiling. But, friend, here's what I want you to hear today.The same God who carried that man in the poem is carrying you right now. You just may not realize it yet, but. But he's there quietly holding you up while you think you're walking alone.Let's break the silence on today's show.

Speaker B00:02:43

This is financially confident Christian Your daily dose of gospel grounded insight and faith driven tips to help you break the cycle of financial shame with confidence.

Speaker A00:02:55

Welcome to the show. I'm Ralph.I know it's a little bit different feel today, but my goal every day is to help you break that cycle of financial shame and do it with confidence. And I'm going to tell a really heartfelt story today. And it happened about six years ago. My wife and I decided to separate.It was not an easy time for either one of us. And I remember when she left, she packed her things and moved to another state.Every day I got up and man, it was a struggle just to get up in the morning. And I prayed every day I prayed for healing. And I remember those prayers vividly. I begged God, I said, God, give me a sign.Give me some proof that you're still hearing me. I felt like he was just completely silent to me. I didn't see it then, but as I look back at it now, God was working.And it wasn't in the way I expected. He was preparing our hearts. He was teaching both of us patience. And he was just ever so slightly rebuilding what had been broken.And I'm happy to tell you that we were restored. We were two days away from our divorce being finalized. And he answered the prayer. And I realized something powerful in that.In those seasons, I thought I was walking alone. God was carrying me the whole time. So let's get back to our question today. Why does he feel so silent?And I just want to build you up today because God's silence does not equal absence. You got to just accept that. When he seems quiet, I truly believe he's working in ways you can't see.When I was going through that season of my life, I wasn't hearing him, but man, he was working on me. He was working on her, he was working on the whole situation. Another thing I want you to really understand. His delay does not equal denial.See, sometimes the Lord says to us, not yet. That's not something we want to hear. Oftentimes you might be going through a struggle. Right now.You're like Ralph, he keeps telling me, not yet, but man, when is he going to be there for me? But just think about this. He's protecting you. He's positioning you for something even greater. You got to have faith. And that's why I say this next.You got to have faith in the dark. See, your trust needs to be rooted in something deeper. And when you feel like, picture that poem when you're.When there's only one set of footprints he's carrying you that you might feel like he's completely far away from you. And you're like, ralph, I don't know if I'm gonna get through this.Well, just remember, it's during those seasons that he's actually got you in his arms. It's the kind of God we serve. And maybe he's just helping us build that gratitude before he gives us the gift. Because thanking God.And listen, this is the hard part, Thanking God in the middle of that struggle. Thanking God when you're like God. Are you not hearing me?Start by thanking him first, because I truly believe that opens your heart to peace while you wait. And there's such unexpected provision, because his answer is going to come to you.It might not be the answer you're looking for, but I'm going to tell you this, and you can rest assured in this, he will give you strength, he will give you clarity, and he will surround you with the people that you need to get through this. It's not about money. See, this shows a lot about money, but sometimes his answer is not what we expected. Let's get into the Bible today.Let's go right to the Book of Psalms, chapter 13, verses 1 and 2. It says, how long, Lord, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts?And day after day have sorrow in my heart? And you can just hear the psalmist just crying out for the Lord? And maybe right now, you're crying out for the Lord. He's still there.Don't lose sight. Let's pray together. Lord, this is a heavy episode today, and this is weighing on our hearts.And, Lord, when we feel abandoned, many of us are feeling abandoned right now. Remind me that you are carrying us, Lord. You're carrying me, Lord. So I ask you right now to teach me.Help me to trust your silence as part of your plan. We all have our own plans. We have our ideas of what we want. But, Lord, we know that your plan is perfect.So right now, Lord, I just ask that you would fill my waiting with your peace instead of worry. Because you are the great architect. You are the keeper of all these things, Lord. We just ask this in confidence in the name of Jesus. Amen.All right, so I got an action item for you. I want you to just write down one thing that you're waiting for God's answer today and each day this week.I just want you to whisper this quiet prayer in your own heart, Lord, even when I can't hear you. I choose to trust you're carrying me. Even when I can't hear you, Lord, I choose to trust that you're carrying me.And listen, if this message spoke to your heart today, I'd love for you to join what we just launched. It's called the Financially Confident Christian Community. It's more than just a support for the show.It's a space where we can grow together, where we can share encouragement. You can tell us about what's going on in your life and we can live out God's plan for financial freedom and spiritual freedom. You can join it.I made it super simple. You can learn more about it and join it. Go to financiallyconfidentchristian.com/join again.That's financiallyconfidentchristian.com/Join because together we're going to help other people find peace. We're going to help other people find purpose and listen. Bigger than all those things, we're going to help people find confidence in Christ.Why don't you join me there again, that's at financiallyconfidentchristian.com/join here's what I want to leave you with today. God's silence doesn't mean he's gone. The waiting is growing your faith. You might not see it right now, but just have faith in this.And when you look down and you only see one set of footprints, just remember this. It's during those seasons that he's carrying you. He loves you. Now go out there today and be a financially confident Christian.You can do this and the Lord is with you. Stay financially savvy. God bless you and I hope you have a blessed day today.