There are times when you are earnestly seeking an answer from God and He provides it however and through whoever He chooses. So I got more answers to why things dont happen as I supposedly heard when a guest speaker came to our church and talked about "protecting the promise". Then I realized it is one thing to hear God but I ought to protect the word I hear. That I have received a word or a promise does not mean it will be fulfilled. For the promise to be fulfilled, I have to build strong walls of faith around the promise. The promise has to be protected against:
- Past failures which cripple and hinder one from trusting God and His word
- present circumstances when things do not align with the promise
- fear of future failure
- sin and temptation: there is nothing the devil can throw against the shield of faith and succeed. However, if I yield to sin and temptation, then he can succeed