God’s Not My Genie

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
“For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:8-9 CSB

The Prophet Isaiah really likes to punch me in the gut every now and then. In this passage, Isaiah is calling Israel (in the midst of trial and suffering) to return to the Lord, reminding them that God’s mercy and plans go far beyond their finite human imaginations. But his reminder is both comforting and challenging. Comforting, because it means God sees what I can’t.

Challenging, because it means I don’t always get to understand why things happen the way they do.

When life doesn’t unfold the way I wanted it to, frustration rises.I get disappointed, and yes, sometimes even angry with God. Why didn’t He fix this situation? Why didn’t He answer my prayer the way I imagined. 

But here’s the reality check: do I want God, or do I just want a genie who grants my wishes? A genie serves my desires, but God — our faithful Father — calls me to trust Him, even when His plans don’t match “mine.”

The truth is, God refuses to be my genie because He is infinitely wiser and more loving than I could ever comprehend. His ways and purposes are far better than anything I could dream up.

Trusting Him on His terms means surrendering my expectations and resting in His faithfulness. It means believing He is good even when I don’t understand.

When I look back on the more challenging times of my life, I realize I didn’t need a genie after all. I needed a God who was bigger than my imagination, stronger than my doubts, and faithful enough to lead me where I wouldn’t have gone on my own.

Question for reflection: Where in your life are you frustrated with God because He isn’t working on your terms, and how can you release that situation to trust His faithful character today?