Having a Childlike Faith

My youngest son believes bedtime is cruel and unusual punishment.

“I want it to be daytime,” he complained one evening. “I’m going to ask God for more daytime,” he said. After talking to God for a few moments about his problem, my son fell silent. The sun continued to sink. Night still came.

I braced myself for the Why didn’t God answer my prayer? question. My mind began to race with thoughts of what to say. How could I explain such a complex idea to a four year old? I’d asked that very question many times throughout my life. I had no encouraging words to give.

My son broke the silence between us. “God talked to me about it,” he said.

“What did he say?” I asked.

“He said no.” Satisfied, my son climbed in bed and went to sleep.

I breathed a sigh of relief and marveled at my son’s simplistic faith. There were no questions or arguments. He simply chose to believe that God was in control of the day and accepted God’s no as the answer to his prayer.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that, without faith, it is impossible to please Him. For He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJV)

God was pleased with my son’s unwavering faith that evening. If only adults could exhibit the same. As we grow older we become more aware of the world’s prejudices and injustice behaviors. Our minds can become clouded by the hardships and trials we face. That’s when we begin to question God.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

God, why did You allow this to happen to me?

As adults, many times our prayers are so cluttered by our fears and doubts that we refuse to accept any other answer but the exact one we’re seeking. We are impatient when God says wait. We’re disappointed or even angry when God says no.

If we are not careful, doubt and fear will consume us and our hearts will harden from life’s disappointments. We must continuously seek God, allowing His peace to guard our hearts and minds. (Philippians 4:7)

It’s true. We live in a violent world filled with sinful behavior.  There is discouragement, disease, and death. But God is greater. God is bigger than any tragedy we face. Through His Son, Jesus, we have victory over all.

God’s desire is for us to simply trust Him.

Whether His answer is yes, wait, or even no, we must trust Him for who He is and diligently seek Him, no matter where He leads. A greater reward waits. (Hebrews 11:6)