Garth Brooks Was Wrong

I love all kinds of music.  If you were to look at what I have on my tablet to listen to you would find Casting Crowns, George Jones,  Kansas, Chicago, the Eagles, Mercy Me, the Cathedrals, the Statler Brothers, Don Rigsby, the Grascals and plenty of Garth Brooks (just to name a few).  I like Garth, but there is one of his songs that I take exception to.  The song is called “Unanswered Prayers” and the reoccurring line says, “Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers”

I want you to know that God ALWAYS answers prayers!  It’s just that sometimes God says either “Wait” or a flat out “NO.”  We have trouble accepting those answers and assume God either didn’t hear them or He doesn’t care.  Now, the premise of the song being God’s gift of unanswered prayer might be flawed, but when God does say “Wait” or “No” that can be a great gift. 

You see, we see this moment in time.  But God sees the big picture, FAR down the road.  If He were to grant a prayer today that will affect us negatively in the future, it would not be the best for us.  So, there are times God says, “Wait” you aren’t ready for that just yet.  And sometimes God says “No” that isn’t what I have planned for you.  God told Jesus “NO” in the Garden so He certainly has the right to tell us the same, doesn’t He?

Pray!  We must be pray as Christians.  But we must also be prepared for God to tell us “Wait” or “No.”  We must also trust that God has a purpose behind each answer.  A father who gives his child everything he/she wants is not a good father.  His kids generally turn out to be spoiled brats.  There are times when  a father must say no.  While we don’t like that answer, in the end it is what is best.  Our Father sometimes has to say “No” and we must understand that our wants and desires aren’t always what is best for us nor are they His plans for our lives.