Tue 23 Aug 2011
Dealing with Prophetic Disappointment
Posted by Helen Calder under Prophetic Ministry, Prophetic Training
[9] Comments
‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.’ (Proverbs 13:12)
You received a personal prophecy—or a prophetic word for your family or for your church.
You believed, you positioned, you prayed, and you waited.
Now it has become evident that the prophetic word will never be fulfilled in the way that you believed it would.
Maybe it is too late for something to eventuate in your life, as a prophecy led you to believe. Maybe someone you cared about became sick, and died contrary to prophetic words that he or she would live and do something more for God. Maybe other people around you, or in leadership over you, have made decisions that have ruled out the possibility that a prophecy will be fulfilled.
Questions now arise:
- Was the prophecy wrong? If so, why did God allow me to believe it and pursue it? What about the person who prophesied—was he or she mistaken?
- Was the prophecy right? If so, what have I, or we, done wrong? What conditions have gone unmet, and what has got in the way of the prophecy’s fulfilment?
- And how do we get past the hurt and the disappointment, the crisis of faith, and indeed the grief, of having a long-term prophetic vision die?
The Problem of Unfulfilled Prophecy
There are varying degrees of difficulty and pain associated with an unfulfilled prophecy. At the lower end of the scale, I have prophecies sitting in my drawer that I now realise will never be fulfilled in the exact way the prophetic minister described it to me. This does not cause me concern, because Father has clearly led me in a different direction.
At the other end of the scale, we have had friends pass away, leaving prophecies unfulfilled, questions unanswered, and pain in our hearts.
Why are Some Prophecies Unfulfilled?
There are many reasons why a prophecy may not be fulfilled. Let’s explore a few of them:
The Prophecy was not Adequately Weighed up
If you are waiting on a prophecy to be fulfilled, then it was most likely a very specific, directive type of prophetic word.
For our protection, these kinds of prophecies should always be submitted to wise oversight and leadership in the church. [1] Without this Biblical safety net, there is a greater possibility of some of the following issues taking place. (1 Cor 14:29, 1 Thess 5:20-22)
Conditions Unmet
Some prophecy, especially that concerning the call of God, is conditional upon us doing our part, obeying God, and allowing the Spirit to deal with us in maturing our character.
I received a prophecy many years ago concerning my future ministry. In the same prophecy, I was exhorted to ‘stay committed, stay submitted.’ I know without doubt that I would not be where I am today if I had not stayed committed and submitted to my church and leadership during testing times.
The Prophecy has Already Fulfilled its Purpose
Sometimes a particular prophecy is the signpost that God uses to get you somewhere else. Instead of the destination you expected, you find that you are positioned for another, higher, God-given purpose.
This may also be an issue of inaccurate delivery of a prophecy. But we also need to understand the nature of prophecy:
Fulfilment of prophecy is not always like hitting a ‘bulls eye’ on a target. It may be more like a river that has twists and turns before reaching the Father’s intended destination.
The Prophecy was Delivered Inaccurately
‘For we know in part and we prophesy in part’ (1 Cor 13:9)
Following are some reasons that a prophecy may have been delivered inaccurately.
- If the person prophesying knows the recipient of the prophecy, it is tempting to deliver the prophecy in the context of what is known currently. This can hamper the purity of a word
- This also goes for prophecies made in church life. We may be receiving a revelation from God, but then we interpret and deliver that word in the light of our church’s current vision or circumstances, which may later change
- The person may have prophesied out of the desires of his or her heart, rather than from a revelation from God
- The person delivering the prophecy may be receiving an incomplete revelation, but then try to express the prophecy in specific terms when it has not been received that way.It is true that there is, on occasion, higher revelation and greater levels of accuracy (indeed we believe and strive for this), but we must also be content—and honest—when this is not the case.
The Prophecy was Interpreted by the Recipient Inaccurately
Maybe the prophecy was not mistakenly given, but there was a miscommunication, and the recipient took the prophecy the wrong way.
Just as the giver of a prophecy can interpret and deliver a word based on known circumstances, a receiver of a prophecy can also interpret a word based on what he or she knows or desires it to be.
Mystery
At the end of the day, we may never understand this side of heaven why a prophecy remained unfulfilled, just as we do not understand why some sick people who are prayed for do not get healed.
In the face of the unknown, we need to trust in the love and sovereignty of our Heavenly Father.
What to do About Prophetic Disappointment
There is a time to hold on to a prophetic word, but we also need to know when to release or shelve a prophecy. The time to release a prophecy is when holding onto it is not bearing good fruit in your life, or in the lives of others around you.
This includes disappointment, disillusionment, division or disunity, dissatisfaction, resentment, bitterness, grief, or any other negative fruit.
If you can relate to this, here are some things that may help in the process:
1. Allow the Prophecy to be Weighed up Again
Prophecy is subject to being weighed up. This does not only relate to assessing a prophecy at the time it is delivered. For our protection, we should also keep our prophetic vision submitted to godly leadership as time goes along.[1]
2. Forgive Whomever you Need to
If an unfulfilled prophecy has left you feeling disappointed or even bitter, it is vital that you forgive anyone that you need to. (Mark 11:25) This may be the giver of the prophecy, yourself, or anyone you perceived stood in the way of its fulfilment.
3. Stop Looking for Unfulfilled Conditions
If you are open to God, and the Holy Spirit is not forthcoming about a condition not being fulfilled, don’t labour over finding one—this may be distracting you from releasing it and moving on with God’s purpose for your life, or that of your family or church. Release it and trust Him to show you anything necessary.
If you can identify a wrong turning in your life, as you repent, the grace of God is released over your life. He will give you a new vision—He is the God of the resurrection.
4. Release Others from Expectations Relating to the Prophecy
Sometimes in our search for unmet conditions, it is tempting to blame other people for hindering the fulfilment of a prophecy. This may include a spouse, family member, vocational boss or leader in a church.
We need to release them completely from expectations and remember that God is sovereign and able to fulfil His plans regardless of their actions. Look at the life of Joseph! (Gen 37-50)
5. Release the Prophecy Completely
You are not being unfaithful to God and His word when you release a prophecy and all expectations associated with it, if holding onto it is not bearing good fruit.
God is able to bring the word to you again if it was truly of Him. He can resurrect the promise in His time.
Sometimes it is helpful to release the prophecy, not only through prayer, but to do something symbolic as well. We need to do whatever it takes to bring closure.
6. Ask, ‘Am I in the Father’s Will Right Now?’
If you know that right now your heart is right with God, then you are on track for His purposes to be fulfilled in your life.
Ultimately, we must trust in the absolute sovereignty of God—not in ourselves, others, or in any prophetic word.
‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.’ (Ps 37:23-24, NKJV)
It is Time to let go
‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?’ (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Is it time to let go of an unfulfilled prophetic word?
- Let go, and you will be released from the place of disappointment and grief
- Let go, and you will be able to receive the new word from God
- Let go, and you will have the joy of discovering the new things Father is doing
Notes:
[1] This can be a leader or pastor in your church, or Christian mentors (safe Christian mentors are themselves under authority). I am aware that many people have experienced unhealthy or even abusive leadership, at some stage of their journey. This must not put us off seeking safe Christian leaders who can speak into our lives.
Related Posts:
Is It Time To Birth Your Prophetic Word In Prayer?
How To Make The Most Of Your Personal Prophecy
Your Prophetic Word and Spiritual Warfare
Do you have any experiences or questions to share on this topic? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog
On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church
A pastor’s wife prophesied over me about 5 or 6 years that she felt I would have another baby. As I’m in my 40′s, have two teenagers, and hubby has had the little op, I wasn’t pleased – I was panicked! Ever since I’ve wondered if the “baby” refers to a new thing God will birth in my life … not sure what though. I liked your point about forgiving the giver of the prophecy hough, this is something I definitely had to do.
Yes, Janet I can understand that panic (being in my 40′s with young adult kids!!) It is possible she did receive a revelation (‘baby’) but interpreted and delivered the word wrongly. Prophetic insight and dreams about pregnancy and new birth often refer to the birth of a new ministry, or something else new that God is doing in and through you. Don’t cast it away altogether… consider what new things have been brought to birth in your life and ministry since the prophecy, and the exciting possibility that new things from God are up ahead!
I think you have covered all the points really well Helen. I have had friends that have had prophecies that they would be healed or grow new limbs etc.. only to die. those around them have either fell away from the faith or just given up on God. I see prophecy as a confirming word to something that is already stirring in your heart, and that word can move you from where you are to where you are going, so I sense there can be ‘ movement ” in prophecy.. thanks for these great points ..
Thank you Ann!
Yes this is a really thought-provoking subject. So sad to hear of the things that have happened.
I like what you say about prophecy confirming… this is one of the key differences between Old and New Testament prophecy. In the OT, prophets were the mouthpiece of God, but in the NT, believers are God’s children and can hear Him speak out of that personal relationship. So prophecy moves from being the primary voice to being a secondary, confirming voice.
Your thought about movement is very insightful, something more to ponder over…
Hi Helen,
Thank you for all of your wonderful articles! I have a question for you: how do we know when to contend for a prophecy we have been given, versus when to let go because it’s not being fulfilled (for whatever reason, such as a condition not being met)? I am really struggling right now, after having interceded for over a year about a prophetic word I was given (several times, by different people, plus my own visions from God about the same thing, etc.) and I’m exhausted in trying to contend any more for it in prayer…
Thank you for any insight
Hi Leslie,
Yes I understand that such a situation can be difficult, on one hand you want to be faithful to what God has promised and to do whatever it takes to usher that in, on the other, there is that uncertainty when time goes by and nothing is happening.
I think it is really important to identify the difference between contending prayer that is led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, which is energising, and prayer that becomes laboured and striving and causes weariness.
When contending in prayer crosses over to the second type, when there is not good fruit from the praying, that is the time to rest back in God’s arms over the issue, to trust in Father for His outcomes. When it is time to birth something in prayer, the Holy Spirit empowers and initiates it.
Even the birthing in prayer has to do with timing. I’ve written more on this here:
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/07/20/is-it-time-to-birth-your-prophetic-word-in-prayer/
I hope this helps
Hi Helen,
Thanks so much for this article. It has been a difficult couple of years for my church and as an intercessor who moves in the prophetic I have received several insights and prophecies etc for my senior leaders during this time. ( I have enjoyed a good relationship in this regard with my pastors/leaders for several yrs now which has been a real privilege) On a few occasions during this difficult time the prophecies I have given have not been received well at all, or have been dismissed off hand, only later to be fullfilled. ( these were often prophecies of a personal nature for the recipient and were sometimes warnings also). I have definately experience some really deep feelings of dissappointment and been quite deeply hurt by this and have had to work hard, and ask God to help me, keep my attitude right and my heart soft during these times. Sometimes I have failed and have had to confess and repent of my wrong attitudes etc, but mostly God has helped me and I have been able to work through these feelings and kept my heart soft. Thankyou for writting this article as it has really helped me as I value and respect you and your ministry highly. It really helps me to know that others I hold in high regard have experienced this as well and that I am not just being dodgy or somehow am alone in my struggle. I will continue to read your articles as they are a real blessing and encouragement to me.
Hi Chris, thanks for leaving your thoughts here. So great to hear your testimony of endeavouring to keep a right heart attitude through the trials that are so common to all in the ministry of prophetic intercession. Have you come across my article about prophetic intercession?
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2012/08/06/prophetic-intercession-its-power-and-pitfalls/
May you be blessed powerfully in your ministry there.
The Lord led me to this wonderful site today and I think it is indeed for a purpose. Today marks 8years in which I had a prophetic disappointment. I never got a satisfactory answer all these years until I read this post and got a better pespective. For this I give u kudos for a job well done and may the Lord continue to engrace you.
I was coming from my place of work in 2004 when a dear woman of God well known as the TV interpreter of a renowed evangelist and preacher called me as I passed by her shop. She has never seen or known me before. She said the Lord spoke to her about a particular need in my life. At that time I was in a private fasting and prayer for a life partner. She said the Lord loves me very much and has prepared the best for me. She gave a date! She said precisely August 2005, I was going to be married. She gave me instructions of a three day fasting and prayer to ward off any barrier. I got home and started rolling on d floor in praises to God for exempting me from what seem to be a family curse. I carried out her instructions dutifully. I kept waiting on the Lord, no one proposed and a year after the date she gave, I rushed back to her shop hoping for an explanation, the shop was tightly shut, now occupied by someone else. The most painful part of this is that I am still single with all the reproach attached to it(I am an African). I can’t seem to get over that date. I recall those words every August of each year till now.