Even Now

​Have you ever felt disappointed? Of course you have. Have you ever felt frustrated? Of course you have.
 
Have you ever felt disappointed in God? Have you ever been frustrated at God?
 
One more question, what did you do with those feelings towards God?
 
In John 11 a friend of Jesus dies, and he is the brother to Mary and Martha. After Jesus’ delay (you can the first post on John 11 at  "Jesus' Delay Isn't His Denial" to see Jesus' delay) He heads to see Mary and Martha during their time of grieving over Lazarus.
 
Martha does three things I need to do when I’m disappointed and frustrated at God. I believe they will help you too.

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(1) Go To Jesus With Your Frustration
Martha hears that Jesus is on His way to her house, but she couldn’t wait. She had to meet him as soon as she could.
 
So Martha gets out of her house to meet Him on His way. She goes to Jesus!
 
To often I get frustrated with Jesus about a circumstance, a non-answered prayer, or something juvenile but I don’t go to Him about it.
 
Martha was frustrated, and she went to Him. She didn’t wait for Him to get to her, she went to Him. I need to do the same thing. I need to leave my house – my comfort and go to Jesus with my frustration and disappointment.
 
(2) Tell Jesus Your Frustration
Once Martha got to Jesus, she didn’t waste any time. She told Him exactly how she felt. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”[1]
 
She is telling Jesus her frustration and disappointment. She isn’t keeping it in and letting it bottle up. She is going to Him with her emotions.
 
Just like Martha I need to communicate how I feel to Jesus. Emotions are real and God gave us emotions. When I’m frustrated with God, I should tell Him. When I’m frustrated with my spouse, I should tell Him. When I’m frustrated at work, I should tell Him. When I’m just downright frustrated, I should just tell Him.
 
(3) Trust Jesus In Your Frustration
There are two words that I believe can transform my prayer life – “even now”.
 
Martha shares her frustration with Jesus in John 11:21. She makes sure He knows that she is disappointed and frustrated, but in the very next verse she trusts Him.
 
Martha says, “But even now I know that whatever you ask for God, God will give you.”[2]
Even though she was disappointed and frustrated she was going to trust Jesus. Even though her brother died she was going to trust Jesus.
 
Where are you disappointed with Jesus? Where are you frustrated with Him? Right now pray an “even now” prayer over that circumstance.

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​Examples of Even Now Prayers:
Jesus if you would you have given me a different job before COVID-19 I wouldn’t be laid off right now. But even now I will trust you.
 
Jesus if you would have allowed (insert someone you loves name) to get into this clinical trial they may still be here. But even now I will trust you.
 
Jesus being home 24/7 is very hard. I know you see me, but it is hard. But even now I will trust you.
 
Jesus if I had a more stable finances I would feel better. It’s frustrating. Even now, I will trust you to provide.


Photo By: @cliffphotographs
​[1] John 11:21 ESV
[2] John 11:22 ESV