So God answered your prayer, now what? This is a common question we all face post the miracle, after receiving our blessing, once our prayer has been answered…the calm after the storm.
How do we act? We get the job/promotion, we moved to a new town, we got a new man, we ended that relationship, we had a hard conversation…and we’re busy getting situated in our new situation, and we forget about God. We’re enjoying the newness. We’re getting to know new people, new job responsibilities, adjusting to new schedules, working hard to reach new goals, and we slip away from connection and the routine we had while believing for God to do what he did. We don’t slip away and forget God totally, but our focus shifts from Him and what He’s going to do for us, to now adjusting to the newness in our life.
How do we stay close to Him? How do we keep the same energy? I am experiencing this currently in my life as I made a recent career change. And up until I got a job in my new field, I was a nervous wreck living in the unknown and trusting God to make this happen for me. It’s a scary place to be, but once God does the thing, the nerves calm down. The scary feelings go away; you can breathe again.
I’ve noticed over the past few weeks that I’ve had to put more effort into reading my bible, now that I got what I wanted. I’ve had days where I’d jump right into work before reading my bible. I’d say things like “I’ll do my bible reading after I send these emails”. I caught myself. This is not who I want to be. This is not how I want to treat the God who died for me. He doesn’t deserve to be put off for any reason.
So what do I need to do to keep the momentum? What can we do to stay close to God, post our miracle? How can we keep our behavior aligned with His word so that we don’t slack off and begin to subconsciously take God for granted?
Three scriptures come to mind to help us out:
Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8
We have to always remain available for God to use us. We have to stay alert in all situations, being open to what God is doing in the new situations in our lives. In new jobs, new relationships, in mended relationships, in now towns, in new churches, new communities, etc. Ask God each day to use you, big or small. Keep the openness and the communication with God going.
So then, submit to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! James 4:7-8
Draw near to God each day. No matter what we’re facing. It’s easy to seek God when we need Him to show up, when we need a miracle. But what about on the slow days, when all is well? Those are the days that we have to remain close to Him. Those are the days that can so easily slip away because there’s no drama, no chaos, no sorting to be done. Don’t treat God as an after thought because He worked things out for you, keep Him in the forefront of your day/mind. Partner with Him in the stillness, ask Him what’s next for the two of you.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
Sometimes, after God has answered our prayers, we can fall into the trap of boasting about the progress we’ve made or the new things that are happening in our lives. It’s important to remain humble and give God the glory for the miracles you’ve received in your life. I got a new job in a new career field and the first thing I began thinking about was all the shopping I wanted to do now that I am making more money. But God reminded me that I needed to get back into the habit of tithing. It would’ve been easy for me to brush that thought off, acting like I didn’t hear Him, but no. I will remain humble in my new salary, praising God with all that He deserves. Self care is important, and I did treat myself, but I will not go over board when I have a responsibility to my bills and to God to do what’s right.
The point is: do not forget about God once he’s answered our prayers. We have to keep going in faith. We have to keep seeking Him. He’s not done with any of us yet. There are more miracles to come, more blessings to receive, more trials to overcome, more people who need our love/support. He will take us to places and to new heights that we can’t imagine if we let Him…
Don’t get off track…the best is yet to come.
Ask God to help you stay focused on your relationship with Him. Ask him to help you to avoid the distractions of life. Ask him to show you what he wants you to do in this new season. Remain open to His answer. Ask him for wisdom and tap in to what God is doing in your life.