When God's Answer Isn't What You Hoped For

I pressed down harder on the gas pedal, gritting my teeth with resolve. I was going to church that evening—whether my weary flesh felt like it or not.

Have you ever felt that kind of determination? The kind that overrules the temptation to stay in bed, scroll through Instagram, or binge-watch TV all day? My husband and I had already attended our usual Sunday morning service, but this particular evening, there was a special prophetic gathering on the other side of town. Something deep inside urged me to go, and despite my body's protests, I was determined to be there.

But why, you might wonder? What would compel me to leave the warmth and comfort of my home, to drive over 30 miles in the crisp, cool autumn air?

I needed a word from God.

I was desperate to hear what was on His heart concerning my life. This season had been particularly tough—one where I felt stretched thin and weary. I knew that the encouragement and direction a prophetic word can bring would be the sustenance I so desperately needed.

Over the years, prophecy has been a lifeline in my walk with God. Time and again, He has used His faithful servants to speak words of comfort, wisdom, and clarity into my life. The Bible even urges us to "earnestly desire to prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1), and I’ve always been open to receiving words breathed by the Holy Spirit.

So there I was, driving across town, determined to hear from God. The service was filled with high praise, fervent prayers, and a powerful sermon. And then, near the end, the minister began to speak a word over my life. I was prepared—I had my phone ready to record every word. I wanted to pray over it later, to let it soak into my spirit.

The message was not what I had hoped for.

Yes, the preacher acknowledged the difficulty of my current season. But instead of proclaiming a swift end to my trials or a breakthrough just around the corner, he spoke of endurance. He said God was with me, that He would carry me through, but I would need to lean on His grace—not my own strength—to make it to the finish line. I was not at the beginning of this journey, nor was I at the end. I was in the middle. And it was there, in that uncomfortable, in-between place, that God was doing a deep work in me.

Friends, let me be honest—I didn’t want to hear that!

I wanted to hear that God was about to flip my circumstances, that He would reward my faith with double for my trouble, that the tears and frustrations I had endured were finally coming to an end. I craved a word of instant deliverance, not one that asked me to keep holding on.

But God knew exactly what I needed to hear, even if it wasn’t what I wanted. Sometimes, we expect one thing—a breakthrough, a miraculous turnaround—only to receive something completely different. It’s like stepping into an ice cream shop craving your favorite butter pecan flavor, only to find that the only option left is black licorice. It’s disappointing, isn’t it?

Yet, God’s ways are higher than ours. As I drove home, replaying the prophetic word, it slowly sank in. God wasn’t ignoring my cries or withholding comfort. Instead, He was inviting me to trust Him more deeply. The hard season, though painful, was producing something precious—a fragrance of humility, surrender, and dependence on Him. This season was cultivating an anointing that would not only sustain me now but also prepare me for what was to come.

Maybe it’s not a prophetic word you’re waiting on. Perhaps it’s a door you’re hoping will open, a phone call, or an opportunity that you’ve been praying for. And when it finally came, it wasn’t what you expected. It left you feeling disappointed, maybe even heartbroken.

But let me encourage you: God always gives us what we need, not always what we want.

Looking back, I am grateful I made the effort to attend that service. Even though the word I

received wasn’t the one I desired, it was exactly the encouragement I needed to keep going. This journey is still hard, the challenges still press in, but now I have a strategy—to lean not on my own gifts, talents, or sheer willpower, but to lean fully on God’s grace.

So today, wherever you are in your journey, take heart. God is faithful. He doesn’t always give us the answers we want, but He always provides the strength we need. And that, my friends, is more than enough.

Hi, my name is Kacie Starr Long. I am an author, and speaker and I love to use my voice to point people to Jesus. When I'm not writing, I'm either hanging out with my husband or sewing. God delivered me from food addiction and I have a sewing ministry, called the Sew Hope Community Sewing Room. I am the proud wife of Alfred T. Long, Sr and together we lead a non-profit that serves prisoners and their families. Connect with me at www.InspiredOverflow.com and via my YouTube page for Christian teachings and encouragement.