SOMETIMES

Some people teach that if you have enough faith you'll always be well, you'll never have problems, you'll never be sick, everything will be great.

The only problem with that theology is ... life.  The Bible doesn't teach that and that isn't your own experience.

God is far more interested in your character than He is your comfort.  He's more interested in making you holy than He is in making you happy.  So God isn't going to give you whatever you ask.

But here's the truth:  God hears and answers every prayer you pray.  He just doesn't always answer the way you want Him to.

Sometimes when you pray, God says NO.
Sometimes when you pray, God says YES.
Sometimes when you pray, God says NOT YET.
Sometimes when you pray, God says I HAVE A BETTER IDEA.

If God gave you everything you wanted - everything you prayed for - you'd be a spoiled brat.  And you'd be weak.  But God wants you to have strength and maturity and character, so He lets you go through some things instead of removing them and He gives you courage to walk that walk.

Anybody can trust God when things are going great.
Anybody can give when they have extra money.
Anybody can persist when they see the finish line a couple of feet away.
Anybody can believe when it's right there in front of them.

Real faith is built in the valleys of life - even if you don't get what you want.  Especially then.

And be blessed.