When the Answers Don’t Come, Stay Faithful Anyway

When the Answers Don’t Come, Stay Faithful Anyway

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

Sometimes life feels like being stuck in traffic on a scorching day with no air conditioning frustrating, uncomfortable, and seemingly endless. You’re sitting there, sweating, wondering why nothing’s moving forward. And just like that traffic jam, there are moments when our prayers feel like they’re not going anywhere either. You’ve asked, pleaded, and maybe even shouted, but the answers? Nowhere to be found.

When life puts us in this kind of limbo, the temptation to run to the nearest ear is real. We’ll spill our struggles to friends, family, or anyone who seems like they might have a clue. But let’s keep it real some of those folks don’t have their own lives together, yet we’re over here handing them the blueprint to ours.

I learned this the hard way. Once, I trusted someone I thought was solid a friend who talked a good game but wasn’t walking a steady path. They hit me with all the catchphrases: “Stand on your ten toes!” and “If I were you, I’d do this and that!” Foolishly, I followed their advice. Within an hour, I was sitting in the backseat of a police car, regretting every decision that got me there. Lesson learned: not every voice deserves your attention, and not all advice is good advice.

Here’s the thing: people mean well, but sometimes their guidance comes from a place of ego, hurt, or confusion. And sometimes let’s be honest they just don’t know what they’re talking about. I’ve realized that when I’m in a tight spot, running to the Creator is my best move. Because let’s face it, the Creator doesn’t gossip.

But let me back up for a second. I’m not saying the path to seeking divine guidance is all roses and sunshine. Nope. It’s more like trying to navigate a bumpy, dimly lit back road. You’ll second-guess yourself, think you made a wrong turn, and wonder if the destination is even worth it. Trust me, it is.

I tell my kids all the time: “Watch who you share your life with.” Not everyone’s ears are safe havens. Some are traps, ready to twist your words and spread them like wildfire through the grapevine. Others are fueled by jealousy, bitterness, or a desire to see you trip up. The world is noisy, and not every voice in it has your best interest at heart.

The truth is, negative forces love to use those closest to us to plant seeds of doubt, fear, and frustration. You’d be surprised how many people are unknowingly carrying that kind of energy. It’s why I’ve started praying, “I seek refuge in the Creator from the evil whispers of the world.” That prayer isn’t just words; it’s armor. It reminds me to stay grounded and to be careful where I place my trust.

I know it’s not easy. There are days when your finances are in shambles, your job feels like a nightmare, your health is shaky, and your relationships are held together with duct tape and a prayer. It’s in those moments when life feels like it’s hitting you with one-two punches that we’re most vulnerable to taking shortcuts or leaning on the wrong people.

But here’s the kicker: the Creator’s path isn’t a shortcut. It’s the long game. It’s not flashy or fast, but it’s the one that leads to real peace. Sometimes, it feels like the road is leading you through every pothole and obstacle imaginable. You might even think, “This can’t be the way to peace. It just doesn’t look right.” But that’s where faith steps in.

Faith isn’t about everything looking perfect; it’s about trusting that the Creator’s got you, even when it doesn’t feel like it. Even when your prayers seem unanswered, and the silence feels deafening. Even when the world is throwing everything it’s got at you, from unpaid bills to heartbreak.

There’s an old teaching I hold close, one that reminds us to stand at the crossroads and seek the good way the path that leads to peace, not chaos. It’s a reminder that just because a path looks rough doesn’t mean it’s the wrong one.

So, what do we do when life gets heavy? When the answers don’t come, and the world feels like it’s working against us? We stay patient. We stay prayerful. We stay connected to the Creator. Because that connection is what anchors us when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.

I won’t lie to you and say this is easy. It’s not. It takes work inner work, spiritual work, and sometimes the kind of patience you didn’t even know you had. But I’ve learned that every time I’ve chosen to trust the Creator, I’ve come out stronger, wiser, and more at peace.

So the next time you’re stuck in life’s traffic jam, don’t just roll down the window and shout your problems into the wind. Take a moment. Breathe. And bring your struggles to the One who’s been waiting to guide you through the mess.

Because here’s the truth: The Creator’s answers may not come when you want or look how you expect, but they’re always worth the wait.