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The 80% Problem: Why We Only Pray at Our Extremes
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Have you ever noticed yourself turning to God only when life hits extremes? After postponing this recording for nearly two months, I finally sat down to share a raw, unfiltered look at my personal faith struggles – specifically what I've come to call the "80% problem."
I realized that the vast majority of my prayer life happens only during the highest highs (when I'm grateful) and lowest lows (when I'm desperate). But what about the 80% of life that happens in between? This pattern revealed my ongoing battle with patience and trust – wanting God to provide immediate answers rather than embracing the waiting periods that are crucial to spiritual growth.
The Bible offers numerous examples of faithful waiting – Abraham and Sarah anticipating their promised child for decades, the Israelites wandering for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land. These stories make my impatience with waiting days or weeks seem trivial by comparison. Scripture directly addresses this human tendency in passages like Isaiah 40:31 ("those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength") and Romans 8:25 ("if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently").
Perhaps most comforting is the understanding that God welcomes our authentic emotions. As Carter's father wisely shared, "God's got big shoulders" – we can approach Him with frustration, anger, and questions without turning away from faith. Like Job, questioning circumstances doesn't mean abandoning trust that God sees the complete picture when we can barely glimpse a fraction.
Whether you're struggling with patience, inconsistent prayer habits, or feeling distant from God during life's "middle ground" moments, know that you're not alone. Connect with us on Instagram @LifeBesideChristPodcast or email [email protected] to share your own experiences or prayer requests.
We love hearing from our listeners whether it's criticism, advice, or just thoughts on the conversation we had. Find us or reach out to us here:
•Email: [email protected]
•Instagram: @lifebesidechristpodcast
•Intro/Outro Music: "Our Days" by David Hays
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By Life Beside ChristSend us a text
Have you ever noticed yourself turning to God only when life hits extremes? After postponing this recording for nearly two months, I finally sat down to share a raw, unfiltered look at my personal faith struggles – specifically what I've come to call the "80% problem."
I realized that the vast majority of my prayer life happens only during the highest highs (when I'm grateful) and lowest lows (when I'm desperate). But what about the 80% of life that happens in between? This pattern revealed my ongoing battle with patience and trust – wanting God to provide immediate answers rather than embracing the waiting periods that are crucial to spiritual growth.
The Bible offers numerous examples of faithful waiting – Abraham and Sarah anticipating their promised child for decades, the Israelites wandering for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land. These stories make my impatience with waiting days or weeks seem trivial by comparison. Scripture directly addresses this human tendency in passages like Isaiah 40:31 ("those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength") and Romans 8:25 ("if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently").
Perhaps most comforting is the understanding that God welcomes our authentic emotions. As Carter's father wisely shared, "God's got big shoulders" – we can approach Him with frustration, anger, and questions without turning away from faith. Like Job, questioning circumstances doesn't mean abandoning trust that God sees the complete picture when we can barely glimpse a fraction.
Whether you're struggling with patience, inconsistent prayer habits, or feeling distant from God during life's "middle ground" moments, know that you're not alone. Connect with us on Instagram @LifeBesideChristPodcast or email [email protected] to share your own experiences or prayer requests.
We love hearing from our listeners whether it's criticism, advice, or just thoughts on the conversation we had. Find us or reach out to us here:
•Email: [email protected]
•Instagram: @lifebesidechristpodcast
•Intro/Outro Music: "Our Days" by David Hays