Picture this: After an intense and consistent season of praying in tongues, fasting, and studying Scripture, you received very specific revelations about a particular event that was supposed to happen at a specific time.
These revelations seemed to be confirmed repeatedly in many ways, and you also experienced deep peace and joy.
You obeyed, prepared yourself, and waited expectantly. But when the appointed time came, nothing happened. How do you keep your faith from being shaken?
The question is, how do you avoid doubting the revelations you received while praying in tongues, and even prayer itself?
This was the situation a brother in Christ was going through and shared with me seeking advice. Many believers have found themselves in a similar situation. In this article, we will discuss how to navigate such trying seasons in the journey of praying in tongues,
Understanding the Purpose of Praying in Tongues
To this address this matter properly, we must first understand the purpose of the praying in tongues. As a praying in tongues believer, you desire certain outcomes from your praying in tongues efforts. This is what you would refer to as your ‘prayer goals’.
There are short-term goals, long-term goals, and an ultimate goal. It is very important to pursue them in that order.
The ultimate goal of praying in tongues is to build a deep relationship with God that leads us to eternal life. Heaven must always remain our highest focus.
If we lose sight of this ultimate goal and focus only on short-term or physical outcomes, we set ourselves up for disappointment. When those expectations are not met, discouragement easily sets in.
Consider the life of Apostle Paul. His earthly life was filled with suffering. Yet he endured because he understood that present suffering could not be compared with the glory that would be revealed as written in Romans 8:18.
Why Delays and Disappointments Happen
Sometimes, after deep seasons of prayer and seeking God, we expect immediate physical results. However, God does not always operate according to our timelines and specifications.
Some believers experience spiritual manifestations quickly, while for others it may take years depending on their situation.
When we place time limits on God, we risk discouragement. If expectations are not met, we may begin questioning our prayer, our faith, or even God Himself.
Even Jesus, while hanging on the cross, He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” In the book of Psalms 37:25, David said a righteous man cannot be forsaken. Though righteous, Christ experienced a moment where God’s actions seemed contradictory.
Yet He submitted fully to the Father’s will.
Job also experienced severe testing. Despite living righteously, intense suffering came upon him. God never fully explained why. The purpose was to bring Job to a place of complete trust, where his faith was rooted not in blessings, but in who God is.
This teaches us to believe God even when everything seems to contradict His promises. God’s faithfulness and perfect wisdom always shine through.
Why God Tests Our Faith
There are times when God allows our faith to be tested at very deep levels. He may allow circumstances to contradict what we believe He revealed. This does not mean God lied. Often, it is a test designed to strengthen our faith.
There is a story in 1 Kings 13 about a young prophet and an older prophet that shows how severely God can test obedience.
God sent the young prophet to proclaim judgment against an altar, and after he delivered the message, God commanded him not to eat, drink, or return by the same way. He obeyed and passed the first test.
However, an older prophet later lied to him, claiming that an angel had told him to invite the young prophet to dine. Though the older prophet was lying, the young prophet believed him and disobeyed God’s direct command.
As a result, God judged the young prophet, and he was killed by a lion.
This story reveals that God can test His servants in ways they did not expect and His word must never be compromised.
God sometimes allows confusing situations to test whether our faith is anchored in Him or in circumstances.
God tests us because the calling and responsibility attached to our lives requires strong spiritual discernment and unwavering faith.
If the enemy can use trusted voices to deceive us, then God must refine our faith to a higher level so that we remain anchored in truth.
Overcoming seasons of testing
The key to overcoming these seasons is intimacy with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, guide, and revealer of truth. When we have a deep relationship with Him, He helps us understand what God is doing in our lives.
Without the intimacy, confusion, doubt, and discouragement easily take root.
In such seasons of testing, our focus must shift from physical expectations to sincere intimacy with God. When your primary goal becomes knowing God rather than receiving outcomes, your faith is strengthened.
Conclusion
If you are going through a season of testing and waiting, do not lose heart. Stay close to the Holy Spirit as you get ready for the fulfillment of God’s promises. For indeed, God is not a man that He should lie.
God bless you!
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