Empty Handed

Hey Good People,

So, I’m just going to come right out and say it… I have some requests up before the Lord! I mean, I have a list of things I want Him to do for me, in me, and through me. Some of these things I have been praying about for YEARS. Anybody else? I think we all do, right?

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that waiting for the things that we have been praying for to come into fruition can be hard. Waiting is hard. For me, waiting has been really hard recently. It’s like the more I pray the louder God tells me to wait. “Be patient… Sit still… Let me do it.” Is all I have been hearing and it has, honestly, been frustrating.

It’s frustrating because as I’m praying for my situation, it seems like God is answering everyone else’s prayers with ease and here I am left empty handed.

I feel very strongly that I am not alone in feeling this way. God has some encouragement for us though; keep reading.

Maybe you have been praying for a promotion, only for your co-worker to receive it instead of you. Maybe you’ve been praying for God’s provision for you to purchase a home, only to see on Instagram that one of your friends just closed on their new home. Maybe you’ve been praying to conceive a baby, only to be told by a close friend that she is expecting while you’re still anticipating a positive pregnancy test. Maybe you’ve been praying to get married, only to witness your family member or friend to become engaged before you.

All these examples can leave you feeling empty handed. Possibly questioning God on if He even hears your prayers. Transparently, I caught myself this week saying from my heart; “hey, that was supposed to be mine.”

In that moment, God reminded me of something that encouraged me in the moment. He said; “What I have for you, no one else can have it. It belongs to you. Even before I give it to you, it’s already yours.” And I’m sure you all know the scripture reminder that followed, one of my favorites:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 CSB

Isn’t confirmation from God through His word amazing? But here’s the thing, when I logged into social media a few minutes later, I still felt a twinge of disappointment. I still felt like I was standing in line with my hand stuck out, ready to receive, only to have what I wanted to be handed to the person behind me.

Then God sent another confirmation through my husband. Pat sent me a text that simply read: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” That quote is not scripture but the bible does tell us not to covet what our neighbors have. 

Frankly, we have to stop looking at others and then develop the thought in our minds that God is skipping over us! Comparison is not healthy for our journey of contentment. In order to be content with what God has given us, we cannot get wrapped up in what others are receiving.

I’ve said this before but someone needs to hear it again… Social media is the worst component of this equation! We scroll through everyone’s highlight reels for large amounts of time throughout the day, not realizing the reality of that person’s situation. What God has for them, is just that.

Let me take you back to the very first blog that I wrote and the closing statement that I end every blog with; Your Portion has Purpose. Point, blank, period. You may feel empty handed, but you are not.

Put your hands out in front of you, now put them together, that’s your cup. Your portion is in your cup. Now take those hands and lift them to Jesus. Give Him your cup and let Him continue to fill it up.

God has given you your portion to fulfill your purpose. The blessings He has for you will come in His perfect timing. Therefore, when it’s time no one can stop what’s coming your way. If you continue to get that twinge of disappointment when you see others getting blessed with what you’ve been praying for, don’t stop praying! Instead turn that thing around and start thanking God that He is in your neighborhood.

If He is able to bless that friend, that family member, that person who attends the same church you do… Sis… Bro… you need to get ready! There is no way He’s touching other people that close to you and then will choose to leave you high and dry. That’s not how He works. We owe Him so much more credit than that. So, we have to trust Him. 

Your hands are not empty, they are full. Be content in the fact that you are not forgotten and you are not looked over.

With Love,

Tam