Remembering God’s Faithfulness While You Wait for His Answer

Editor’s note – Many of our prayers are not answered on our schedule, so it’s easy to get used to living in the waiting instead of noticing when God finally moves. Using something as small as a stuck front door, the author makes a point that reaches far past home repair: God has already proven Himself faithful, and remembering that history is how faith grows for whatever we face next.

For the last several months, we’ve had a problem with our front door.

Something had gone wrong with the doorknob, and every time we tried to open the door, it would catch. You couldn’t simply turn the knob and walk outside. There was pulling and tugging involved, and there were plenty of times when I was standing there thinking, Why won’t this door just open?

It was frustrating because we use that door every day. Our deck is right outside, and one of the things I enjoy doing in the evening after dinner and cleaning up the kitchen is going outside for a little while. I like sitting there, looking at the sky and the stars, and just relaxing.

We could still get outside through the garage and the back door, so this wasn’t some major crisis. It was an inconvenience. But when you deal with the same inconvenience day after day, it can start to get pretty annoying.

◾I knew eventually the problem would be fixed.

◾I just didn’t know exactly when.

And Then Today, It Was Fixed

Today, unexpectedly, we got a call asking if it was a good time to come over and fix the door. Before long, the old doorknob was out, a new one was installed, and suddenly the door opened exactly the way a door is supposed to open.

Such a simple thing.

I turned that new doorknob and opened the door without having to pull and tug, and I was so happy about it.

After struggling with that door for weeks, I had gotten used to the struggle. I knew the problem wouldn’t last forever, but until it was fixed, I still had to deal with it every time I wanted to use that door.

And it made me think about how often this happens in our spiritual lives.

We can be praying about something for so long that we almost become accustomed to the waiting.

We know God hears us. We believe He’s working. We continue praying and trusting Him, but the situation is still there when we wake up the next morning.

◾Then one day, something changes.

◾The answer comes.

◾The door opens.

Editor’s note – That gap between knowing a problem will end but not knowing when, is exactly where most of our prayer life happens. God is present in that waiting long before the answer arrives.

Remember the Prayers He Has Already Answered

Psalm 77:11 says, “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”

There’s something powerful about intentionally remembering.

When God answers a prayer, I don’t want to experience the answer, thank Him for five minutes, and then completely forget about it the next time I’m facing something difficult.

I want to remember.

Every time I open that front door now, especially when I go outside in the evening, I think I’m going to appreciate how easily it opens. I remember how frustrating it was when it didn’t work properly.

Spiritually, I want to do the same thing with answered prayers.

➡️I want to remember the times when I didn’t know how something was going to work out — and then God made a way.

➡️I want to remember the times when I needed provision and He provided.

➡️I want to remember the prayers I prayed while I was waiting and the answers that eventually came.

Because God’s faithfulness builds my faith for the next situation.

Editor’s note – Psalm 77 was written by a man in real distress, not one who had already worked through his questions. Remembering God’s past deeds was his discipline in the middle of trouble, not a feeling he waited to have.

Thanksgiving Changes How We Wait

We’re always going to have problems while we’re living on this Earth. One prayer gets answered, and eventually there will be something else we need to bring before God. That’s life.

But our perspective can change how we walk through those seasons.

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” It goes on to tell us that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I love that thanksgiving is included there.

We’re bringing God something we still need. We’re asking Him to move in a situation that hasn’t been resolved yet. And we’re thanking Him at the same time.

That’s the kind of faith I want to continue cultivating.

I can pray about what I need today while thanking God for what He did yesterday. I can acknowledge that the situation I’m facing is difficult without forgetting all the difficult situations He’s already carried me through. I can wait for the next answer while remembering the answers that have already come.

Editor’s note – Philippians 4:6-7 pairs petition with thanksgiving in the same breath. We aren’t told to wait for the answer before we give thanks; the gratitude belongs in the asking itself.

His Faithfulness Hasn’t Changed

Maybe you’re waiting on God for something much bigger than a broken doorknob. Maybe you’re praying for healing. Maybe you’re facing a financial need.

Maybe there’s a situation in your family that you desperately want God to work out. Maybe you need Him to make a way when you can’t see one.

I don’t know what you’re waiting for, and I can’t tell you exactly how or when God will answer your prayer. But I can encourage you to look backward for a moment.

What has God already done? What prayer did you once pray that He has already answered?

What situation did you once think you would never get through, yet here you are on the other side?

Remember those things. Let yesterday’s faithfulness strengthen today’s faith.

I’m still learning what it means to live intentionally, trusting God. Part of that intentionality is refusing to forget what He’s already done simply because I’m facing something new.

◾God has been faithful.

◾God is faithful.

◾And I believe He will continue to be faithful.

Tonight, when I finish cleaning up after dinner and open that front door to go sit outside, I’ll probably smile when the door opens without a struggle.

It’s a little thing.

But maybe that’s another part of cultivating a thankful heart — learning to notice the little things too.

What is one prayer God has answered in your life that you’re especially thankful for? And how can remembering that answer help you trust Him with what you’re praying about today?

A Word from the Editor
God’s faithfulness in the past isn’t a memory to file away – it’s evidence for what He is doing in your life right now. Psalm 77 shows a man who steadied himself simply by remembering. Whatever you’re still waiting on, look back before you look forward; He has never once failed you.

Editor Comment: God is faithful to us, even when we can't see it at the time. It puts correct pressure on the believer to be faithful as well.

This article appeared on Medium and is reprinted with modifications and by permission.