Make Room for an Answer You Did Not Expect

“And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.”

Acts 12:12-17 KJV

Rhoda recognized Peter's voice and was so glad that she ran to tell the others before opening the gate. Their first response was disbelief. The scene has an ordinary human awkwardness that makes the church's surprise easy to understand.

Read the passage carefully

The Lord's power is not limited by the perfection of His people's expectations. We should not use this account to excuse unbelief, but neither should we imagine that every mercy depends upon achieving an exact emotional certainty beforehand. God is gracious, and His answers may arrive in forms we were not prepared to receive.

Listen carefully when reliable information challenges your assumption. Check the facts without dismissing the messenger simply because the report seems unlikely. This applies to good news as well as difficult concerns. A habit of answering before listening can cause us to resist the very help we had wanted. Humility leaves room to be corrected by what is actually happening rather than requiring events to match our earlier conclusion.