Welcome! To the Spiritual Insane Asylum

Have you ever prayed the same prayer repeatedly, pleading with God for an answer? Perhaps you backed those prayers with scripture, like Hannah’s story of persistent faith or the parable of the persistent widow.

Even Jesus prayed fervently in the garden, asking three times for the cup of suffering to pass from Him. Yet, His prayer ended with “Nevertheless, Your will be done.” Despite knowing the Father's will, He still brought His honest desires to God.

When Our Prayers Reflect Our Imagined Selves

What happens when our prayers don’t align with God’s will but instead with our imagined version of life? I’ve often prayed for circumstances to change, not because they were wrong, but because they didn’t fit the vision of the person I thought I should be—my “selfie self.”

This version of me is idealized: tall, successful, and perfectly in control. When reality doesn’t match, I find myself praying, “I don’t belong here!” Yet, perhaps I do.

The Identity Crisis

Could it be that difficult circumstances expose false aspects of our identity—parts of ourselves not rooted in Christ? When we cling to these false identities, our prayers become demands for God to validate our desires rather than opportunities to align with His will.

Jesus in the Garden: A Model for Us

Jesus’ time in the garden reminds us that there is purpose in every season. His circumstances in Gethsemane directly benefited us. If He found purpose in His trial, then we can trust that God is working purpose in ours.

Instead of resisting where God has placed us, we can ask:

• What is this circumstance revealing about my identity?

• Am I relying on a false narrative of who I think I should be?

Steps to Freedom and Growth

1. Expose the Lie: Recognize what false identity or belief is being revealed.

2. Repent: Turn away from the lie and toward Jesus, agreeing with His truth.

3. Replace the Lie with Truth: Reinforce your true identity in Christ by meditating on scripture.

4. Work with Jesus: Partner with Him to let the circumstance refine you, helping you become more like Him.

Allowing Trials to Benefit Others

When we embrace difficult seasons as opportunities for growth, they not only benefit us but also others. As we become more like Christ, His love and truth shine through us, drawing others closer to Him.

Living with Purpose in Every Season

The circumstances you’re facing now have a purpose. They are working to align your identity with who you are in Christ. Let go of the imagined version of yourself and embrace the truth of who God has created you to be.

Work with Jesus, not against Him, so that your trials refine you and inspire others. Together, we can turn even the most challenging seasons into opportunities for growth and God’s glory.