Patience or Punishment?

Have you ever asked, “Why me?”—not in a moment of fleeting frustration, but in the depths of your soul, where the question echoes unanswered?

Imagine sitting at a desk, surrounded by applications, rejection emails, and unanswered prayers. For Lisa Brown, this isn’t imagination; it’s reality. Over the past year, she’s applied for more than 1,200 jobs, ranging from roles she dreamed of to positions she once swore she’d never consider. Yet, the silence persists.

What do you do when you’ve done everything “right” but the results don’t match the effort?

Lisa’s story begins with hope. After completing her postgraduate studies, she envisioned a stable career, a comfortable income, and the freedom to enjoy life’s luxuries—like travel, a home of her own, and a little breathing room in her bank account. But life had other plans.

The Weight of Waiting

“I thought hard work would be enough,” Lisa says. “I thought persistence would pay off. But here I am—still waiting, still praying, still wondering if God hears me.”

Her days blur together: wake up, send applications, follow up, rinse, and repeat. She’s become a master of tweaking her resume, crafting compelling cover letters, and acing interviews that lead nowhere. And yet, the weight of waiting grows heavier.

When was the last time you truly believed your effort would yield results?

For Lisa, this question haunts her daily. Friends and family post photos of new homes, shiny cars, and exotic vacations on social media. Her best friend recently bought a second investment property, while Lisa struggles to afford basic groceries.

“Everyone else seems to be moving forward,” she says. “I’m stuck, spinning my wheels in the mud.”

Why Does Life Feel Unfair?

It’s a question many of us have asked at some point. Why do some people seem to glide through life while others fight tooth and nail for even the smallest victories?

Lisa wonders if she’s being punished. “Did I make a mistake somewhere along the line? Is this karma? Or am I just unlucky?” she asks, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

But here’s the thing: Lisa isn’t lazy. She’s not unqualified or unmotivated. She’s just... stuck. And being stuck doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re human.

Faith on the Edge

When Lisa prays, she’s honest with God. She doesn’t sugarcoat her emotions or hold back her frustration. “I tell Him exactly how I feel,” she says. “I ask why He’s not helping me. I beg for answers.”

Does it ever feel like God is silent when you need Him most?

Lisa has moments of doubt, wondering if her prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. But deep down, she clings to her faith. “I don’t want to give up on God,” she says. “I just want Him to show up for me.”

The Comparison Trap

One of Lisa’s biggest struggles is resisting the urge to compare herself to others.

“It’s hard not to feel envious when you see people your age—or even younger—living the life you want,” she admits. “But comparison is poison. It steals your joy and magnifies your pain.”

Have you ever scrolled through social media and felt like everyone else has life figured out?

Lisa reminds herself that social media is a highlight reel, not real life. “People only show you the good stuff,” she says. “You don’t see their struggles, their failures, their insecurities.”

The Power of Small Victories

Despite her challenges, Lisa finds solace in small victories. She recently started planning a family celebration, which has given her a sense of purpose and a break from the monotony of job applications.

“Focusing on something positive helps,” she says. “It doesn’t solve my problems, but it reminds me that life isn’t all bad.”

What small victories can you celebrate today?

For Lisa, it’s the little things—like a kind word from a friend, a sunny afternoon, or a moment of laughter with her family.

Hope and Action

Lisa knows she can’t control everything. But she also knows she can’t sit back and wait for a miracle.

“I’ve learned that faith and action go hand in hand,” she says. “You can pray for a breakthrough, but you also have to take steps toward it.”

What steps are you taking toward your goals, even if they feel small?

Lisa continues to apply for jobs, network with professionals, and explore new income streams. She’s even started freelancing on the side, writing articles and helping small businesses with their content.

“I don’t know if this will be the answer,” she admits. “But I have to try.”

When Will It Be My Turn?

Lisa’s story is a reminder that life doesn’t always follow our timeline. But that doesn’t mean we should give up.

Have you ever felt like you’re on the brink of a breakthrough, but it’s just out of reach?

For Lisa, the answer is yes. Every day, she wakes up with the hope that today might be the day everything changes. And maybe, just maybe, it will be.

This account is inspired by real-life challenges faced by many. If you’re struggling with similar feelings, know that you’re not alone. Life may not always go as planned, but your story isn’t over. Keep praying, keep striving, and keep believing in the possibility of better days ahead.

As Lisa says, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m not ready to give up just yet. There’s still a spark of hope inside me—and that’s enough to keep going.”