A difficult process can produce something wonderful

Have you ever pursued something you truly wanted, only to discover that the journey was far more difficult than you expected? Perhaps the obstacles and setbacks made you question whether you had made the right decision or whether God was really involved.

I think we sometimes assume that if something is good for us, the process of obtaining it should be relatively easy. But what if we have confused the difficulty of the process with the worth of the outcome?

A Difficult Process Can Still Produce Something Wonderful

Think about childbirth. Even the easiest labor is still labor! It is not necessarily pain-free, and there is a recovery period afterward as a woman adjusts to life as a new mother.

Now imagine a woman who experiences a particularly difficult labor, perhaps one that ends in an emergency C-section. Does that somehow diminish the blessing of having a child? Of course not! The difficulties she experienced during childbirth do not make her baby any less precious or the experience of becoming a mother any less meaningful.

However, I am not suggesting that we go to the opposite extreme and assume that every obstacle is something God expects us to fight through.

Consider a woman whose baby is in the breech position. Depending on the circumstances, attempting to push could be dangerous or even life-threatening. A C-section may be the safest and most appropriate intervention for both mother and baby.

Would it make sense for her to insist on continuing down a dangerous path simply because she believes every obstacle must be overcome through faith?

Of course not!

Sometimes resistance is a legitimate warning that we need to reconsider our approach, not a challenge we are supposed to push through.

Sometimes Difficulty Is Simply Information

And sometimes difficulty is not necessarily a sign of opposition at all. Sometimes it is simply giving us information about something that needs our attention.

For example, suppose you find yourself running out of money before payday every month. You're constantly watching your bank account, hoping your car doesn't break down or some unexpected expense doesn't arise.

You might interpret those financial struggles as spiritual warfare or evidence that something is blocking your prosperity.

But what if the difficulty is pointing toward a solution you've already considered but don't particularly want to pursue?

Maybe you need a second job.

I know, I know! That's probably the last thing you want to hear. Working additional hours doesn't exactly sound like a blessing from God. In fact, it sounds like more work, less free time, and another responsibility added to an already demanding schedule.

But what if that second job could provide the financial stability you need while you develop the skills or qualifications necessary for a promotion or a higher-paying position?

Perhaps you've been praying for God to increase your income, expecting an unexpected check, a miraculous financial breakthrough, or a substantial raise. Meanwhile, an opportunity to earn additional income has been available all along.

Could it be that we sometimes overlook practical solutions because they don't look or feel like the blessings we were expecting?

Of course, a second job isn't the answer for everyone, especially when someone is already stretched to their limits. But the larger point remains: sometimes the solution to our difficulties requires effort, sacrifice, or a temporary adjustment we would rather avoid.

Perhaps the answer to prayer isn't always the removal of a difficult circumstance, but the wisdom to recognize what we can do about it.

Do we really understand what a blessing actually is?

Have you ever prayed for something, received exactly what you asked for, and then found yourself dealing with difficulties you never anticipated? Perhaps you began questioning whether it was really a blessing in the first place. After all, if God blessed you with something, shouldn't everything associated with it work out smoothly?

I think part of the problem is that we have come to associate blessings primarily with pleasant outcomes rather than the responsibilities and challenges that sometimes accompany them.

We pray for marriage, but marriage requires compromise, communication, patience, and personal growth.

We pray for children, but parenthood requires tremendous responsibility, sacrifice, and the willingness to guide another human being through life's difficulties.

We pray for a promotion, but that promotion might involve managing difficult personalities, making uncomfortable decisions, and learning new skills.

The blessing may give us something valuable, but it may also require something valuable from us.

When Your Blessing Doesn't Go According to Plan

Let's say you've been blessed with an all-inclusive, five-day, four-night trip to Disney World for you and your family. Everything is paid for, and you're looking forward to creating memories that will last a lifetime.

But on the way to the airport, the car breaks down, and you miss your flight.

Now, I bet you didn't see that coming!

Does that invalidate the blessing? Of course not! It simply throws a wrench into your plans.

You manage to reschedule your flight, but instead of flying directly from Richmond, Virginia, to Orlando, you now have to connect through Dallas. What was supposed to be a simple 2-hour trip has become a much longer journey.

And let's not forget the additional expenses. You know those children are going to get hungry during that layover!

Nevertheless, you finally arrive at Disney World, and your family has an amazing time. The first three days are filled with laughter, excitement, and wonderful memories.

But then comes day four.

It starts raining.

And I'm not talking about a little drizzle here and there. I'm talking about the kind of rain that makes you wonder whether a monsoon has moved into central Florida!

Unfortunately, the rain continues into the fifth day.

You and your family had been looking forward to visiting Typhoon Lagoon, Disney's water park. But now it seems the water park has competition from the one forming in the parking lot!

Still, you're not one to accept defeat easily.

You notice what appears to be a break in the storm clouds and decide to make a dash for the water park.

Everyone gets excited. Maybe you'll finally get to enjoy those water slides after all!

But before you can even make it to the wave pool, the thunder starts rumbling again.

The attractions close because of the weather, and your family ends up spending most of the time inside a gift shop, waiting for the storm to pass.

Eventually, the rain becomes so heavy that you decide to head back to the hotel.

So much for Typhoon Lagoon!

Now, let me ask you something.

Does any of this mean that your trip was never a blessing?

Absolutely not!

Was it the Devil and his entire entourage of demons trying to sabotage your vacation?

No!

Your car broke down, you missed a flight, and you encountered some very unfortunate weather. These things happen in life, even when we are enjoying something wonderful.

And despite those inconveniences, your family still had three beautiful days at Disney World. You experienced something special together, created memories, and enjoyed an opportunity you might not otherwise have had.

In fact, years later, you will probably look back and laugh about that unforgettable Disney vacation. The trip where your car broke down, you ended up connecting through Dallas, and you experienced what felt like an actual typhoon while trying to visit Typhoon Lagoon!

Perhaps that is what we need to understand about blessings. They do not have to unfold perfectly to remain blessings.

Sometimes things go wrong because we live in a world where cars break down, flights are missed, storms develop, and unexpected difficulties arise. Not every inconvenience is spiritual warfare, and not every obstacle means we have stepped outside God's will.

Perhaps we need to stop expecting every blessing to come with perfect circumstances and begin appreciating the good that remains, even when everything doesn't go according to plan.

A blessing does not have to be free from difficulties to be genuine, and an imperfect experience can still be a wonderful one.

Divine Favor Does Not Always Mean Favorable Circumstances

I am learning that divine favor does not necessarily mean favorable circumstances. Often in Christendom, we associate things going smoothly with God's approval. We assume that if everything is falling into place, we must be on the right path and walking in His will.

But what happens when we encounter resistance, unexpected setbacks, or difficulties? We may begin to retreat, assuming we have taken a wrong turn or somehow stepped outside God's plan.

But what if the resistance and struggles are part of the very path we are supposed to be walking? What if the road God has opened before us is not smooth and effortless, but filled with bumps, potholes, and uncomfortable stretches along the way?

Consider Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 16:9:

"For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries." (KJV)

Notice that Paul did not say, "A great and effectual door has opened unto me, and everything behind it is overflowing with blessings."

No! He said there were many adversaries. Not one, not two, but MANY!

Yet Paul recognized the opportunity before him despite the opposition. The presence of adversaries did not invalidate the opportunity behind that open door.

Sometimes Blessings Come with Responsibilities

Another thing I am beginning to understand is that we may have misunderstood what a blessing actually is.

Imagine waking up tomorrow morning and discovering one million dollars in your bank account. An unexpected gift from a rich auntie you didn't even know had money!

You would probably be overjoyed, praising God and celebrating your newfound financial freedom.

But then reality sets in.

Suddenly, you have decisions to make. How much should you save? How much should you invest? Are there taxes to consider? Should you hire a financial adviser? What if family and friends suspect that you have newfound wealth and expect you to solve their financial problems?

Before you know it, you could find yourself experiencing stress, conflict, and anxiety over the very blessing you were celebrating just days earlier.

Does that mean the million dollars was never a blessing? Of course not!

It simply means that the blessing came with responsibilities that required wisdom, discipline, and careful decision-making.

Perhaps this is where we have misunderstood God's blessings. We expect a blessing to eliminate our problems, when sometimes it introduces responsibilities, difficulties, and challenges we have never encountered before.

A blessing does not always make life easier. Sometimes it makes life bigger, and with that increase comes greater responsibility.

Perhaps we need to stop measuring God's favor by how comfortable our circumstances are. An open door does not guarantee an effortless journey, and a blessing does not exempt us from the work required to manage it.

Sometimes the very things we prayed for will require us to grow in wisdom, maturity, and perseverance once we receive them.

What if the answer to our prayers, isn't another prayer

Have you ever prayed about something for months, perhaps even years, waiting for God to intervene? You prayed, fasted, declared His promises, and believed that eventually Heaven would move on your behalf. Yet despite all your prayers, nothing seemed to change.
Faith Does Not Eliminate Human Responsibility

I think many of us have experienced this, especially those of us who grew up in churches where we were taught to wait on God, trust His timing, and believe Him for supernatural breakthroughs.

But lately, I have been questioning something about that approach to faith.

What if some of the things we are waiting for God to do require our participation?

What if the answer to our prayers, isn't another prayer.  What if it involves making a doctor's appointment, pursuing an education, applying for a job, starting a business, or confronting a situation we have been avoiding?

Perhaps we have become so accustomed to expecting supernatural intervention that we overlook the ordinary opportunities, knowledge, and resources already available to us.

God invites human participation in His work. Rather than passively waiting for Heaven to intervene, we can take responsible steps, trusting that God can work through our efforts.

Perhaps the spiritual breakthrough we have been praying for does not always require another prayer, declaration, or supernatural intervention, but a greater willingness to participate in the process.

Sometimes we become so accustomed to waiting for God to act that we overlook the abilities, resources, knowledge, and opportunities He has already placed within our reach. We continue asking Him to move, when perhaps He is waiting for us to take the first step.

This does not mean that our actions somehow compel Heaven to respond. Rather, taking initiative can be an expression of faith, demonstrating that we trust God enough to act on the wisdom and abilities we have been given.

Faith and human responsibility were never meant to compete with one another.

Perhaps spiritual maturity involves moving beyond a faith that primarily asks God to do everything for us toward a faith that also asks, "What has God already given me the ability, wisdom, and responsibility to do for myself?"

After all, trusting God does not mean we must remain passive. Sometimes trusting Him means having the courage to participate in the very process through which our prayers may be answered.

Your Life Is Not a Test of How Effortlessly You Can Accomplish Things

I once believed that if God opened a door for you, everything behind that door would come easily. After all, why would God open a door of blessing only for you to encounter difficulties? How could an answered prayer come with obstacles, struggles, and responsibilities?

Yesterday, my husband and I went with our church to see the movie Joshua. It was a wonderful film that reminded me of how God led the children of Israel to the Promised Land, yet they still had to fight to possess it.

The Israelites faced numerous battles as they entered the land, including the defeat of 31 kings, as recorded in Joshua 12:7–24. Their inheritance was promised, but possessing it required courage, obedience, perseverance, and warfare. Even after spending 40 years wandering in the wilderness, their arrival at the Promised Land did not mean their struggles were over.

Imagine if every time they encountered another enemy, they questioned whether God had truly given them the land!

The promise was real, but that did not mean possessing it would be effortless.

Thankfully, most of us will never have to fight 31 kings. However, we may encounter 31 struggles of our own along the way.

This made me wonder: Where did we get the idea that if God opens a door, everything behind that door should be easy?

I believe part of this misunderstanding comes from certain teachings within the charismatic movement and the prosperity gospel. Sometimes we are given the impression that if we pray, declare, and decree with enough faith, difficulties will disappear and blessings will come without much resistance.

But that is not necessarily the picture Scripture presents.

An opportunity can be genuine and still require hard work. An answered prayer can bring responsibilities. A blessing can introduce an entirely new set of challenges.

Consider the blessing of having children.

Becoming a parent is a tremendous blessing, but it also involves accepting responsibility for another human being throughout childhood and beyond. There are sleepless nights, financial obligations, difficult decisions, and countless sacrifices.

As children grow, they may struggle with academics, self-esteem, friendships, relationships, or finding their place in the world. Parents must learn how to guide them through these experiences with patience, wisdom, and love.

Those difficulties do not mean the children are any less of a blessing. Nor do they mean something has gone wrong or that God has somehow withdrawn His favor.

Sometimes the challenges are simply part of the responsibility that comes with receiving what we prayed for.

After all, your life is not a test of how effortlessly you can accomplish things. Encountering difficulties does not automatically mean you have taken the wrong path, missed God's will, or lacked sufficient faith.

Sometimes an open door is simply an opportunity to move forward, and walking through it requires the very courage, wisdom, and perseverance we are meant to develop along the way.

Hishtadlut: Faith Requires Action

I once misunderstood divine providence. I thought it meant praying and waiting for God to act. But I have learned that God can also work through our efforts and the knowledge and abilities of others.

In Jewish thought, hishtadlut means making responsible human effort while trusting God. In many traditional Jewish teachings, hishtadlut is not merely a suggestion but a religious responsibility. We are expected to act rather than simply wait for Heaven to intervene.

Hishtadlut works alongside bitachon (trust in God). Our efforts become the kli (vessel) through which divine blessings can flow.

You can pray for provision and seek employment. Pray for marriage and accept an introduction. Pray for children and seek medical assistance.

Faith doesn't mean sitting back and waiting for a miracle. Sometimes, if we want Heaven to move, we must first be willing to move ourselves.

Sometimes We Want God to Do the Part We're Afraid to Do

 When I first started my online business I have to admit I was so afraid of marketing.   I'm an introvert, and I have never been particularly comfortable putting myself out there. I worried about what friends and family would think, whether they would question my prices, or whether my business would fail and leave me feeling embarrassed.

And then there was another fear: What if my business became successful and everyone started approaching me with questions, requests, and orders? I wanted customers, but I didn't necessarily want people constantly in my face and in my personal space.

I just wanted God to bless my business and make it successful without my having to deal with all those uncomfortable situations.

Eventually, I pushed myself to invite my closest friends and family to like my Facebook business page. It might seem like a small accomplishment, but for me, it was a major step. I remembered Joyce Meyer saying that sometimes you have to "do it afraid." And that was exactly what I was doing.

Looking back, I recognize something about my former understanding of faith. Sometimes we want God to intervene supernaturally because we don't want to confront the difficult or uncomfortable process of solving a problem ourselves.

The same mindset can influence how we approach our health. Going to the doctor can be frightening. We may fear a diagnosis, dread a medical procedure, or struggle with taking time away from work. Sometimes it feels easier to pray for God to remove the problem than to face what might be required to address it.

I know that feeling because I once believed that sincere prayer would eliminate whatever was wrong with my body without my having to confront it through medical treatment.

But why did I believe that seeking medical assistance was somehow inferior to receiving supernatural healing?

What if the medical treatment was part of the very provision I had been praying for?

Consider Joseph in Genesis 41. God revealed the coming famine, but Joseph still had to organize Egypt's food supply. In Exodus 31, God gave Bezaleel wisdom and craftsmanship, but Bezaleel still had to build the tabernacle. Their human participation did not diminish God's involvement in either account.

Perhaps the same principle applies to our lives. We can pray for a successful business while still having to market our products. We can pray for healing while still needing to visit a physician. We can pray for financial stability while still having to pursue employment or develop new skills.

And perhaps we need to recognize that not every uncomfortable step is something God is supposed to remove from our path.

Sometimes the answer to prayer may involve having the courage to do the very thing we have been hoping God would do for us.