As a Christian, I know that the best solution to any problem is to turn to Scripture, find some that apply to my situation, and just begin speaking them out over my life in faith. God’s Word never returns void; He is a God who keeps His promises. And when I’m asking Him for something — whether it be favor in a seemingly dead-end situation, or clarity when I don’t know which direction to go in — it’s sometimes difficult to be in-tune with His voice and discern His answer. It’s even more difficult when the answer He gives either a) wasn’t what I was expecting, or b) didn’t come in the form I was expecting.

What do I mean by form? I mean that sometimes, we tend to get pretty specific when we ask for God to show up, and just because you say “God, if this is what you want me to do, then show me by ________,” doesn’t mean that’s how He’s going to show you. In fact, I’ve learned that often times, His answers come in ways that I was least expecting them to. Example: When I was a senior in high school, I told God “hey, I don’t know where you want me to go to college, so I’m going to apply to all of these places, and I only want you to let me get in to the one you want me to attend so I know for sure.” It was beyond ridiculous for me to tell God how to answer my prayer, and it of course did not work out how I was assuming it would. My answer came from a simple conversation in a coffee shop line with an older woman who started talking to me while we were waiting, and who knew absolutely nothing about me.

It’s not our place to tell God how to show up in our lives, and how to answer our prayers. God created us to let Him know what we need (even though He already knows), to thank Him for what He’s already done, and what He’s going to do. Then, it’s our job to sit and wait for His perfect timing, which is also almost never aligned with our own.

“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6

“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

“Give thanks to The Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1

“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?” Matthew 7:7-11

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

“Delight yourself in The Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

As long as you apply Scripture to your situation, and what you request doesn’t go against it, you will get an answer. It might not come when or how or through whom you were anticipating, and it might not even be the answer you wanted, but He will answer you nonetheless. So keep your eyes attentive and your heart receptive, because your answer is coming.