About a week ago, my husband and I got some GREAT news, an answer to a prayer we had been praying for a long time. The problem is, today my mind is doubting that great news from a week ago. My brain has decided that it is not really true because we have no physical evidence that it has truly been answered. Yes, my mind keeps tumbling over itself, trying to overturn the verdict of last week’s answered prayer. And even, in my worst moments, to think that God has rescinded His answer. That He has changed His mind and taken our good news back.

Isn’t it just like a sinful heart to discount an answered prayer, to not really believe it until we see it? Thomas knew this all too well. Jesus literally said to him, “Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27) Oh, I bet that Thomas had a long week between hearing the news that Jesus had risen and seeing with his own eyes that He truly was alive. We could all save ourselves a lot of anxiety if we would just accept God’s truth. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Isn’t it just like God to bless the socks off of our efforts when our prayers have aligned with His will? Luke 11:9 says it clearly, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Surprise and doubt are not the responses we should have to answered prayers. Gratefulness, praise and thanksgiving are more appropriate replies to an all-powerful God that has created the world we live in and loves tiny, little us as His own.

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!” (Psalm 66: 18-20)