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When Things Don't Add Up

Trusting God's Divine Process Through Prayer, Obedience, and Expectation

No matter how hard we try, some seasons of life simply don’t make sense. Join Pastor Frank as he teaches from the book of Matthew and the story of Joseph—a man whose circumstances didn’t add up. Stay tuned to learn three powerful techniques to help you lean in and trust the process.

Joseph’s story hits home for anyone standing in a season that doesn’t add up. A craftsman who loved straight lines and square corners suddenly finds his plans in pieces: Mary is pregnant, and he knows he isn’t the father. Instead of reacting, he practices the holy pause. He prays. And in that space, God trades Joseph’s spiraling thoughts for a peace that arrives before anything makes sense. Prayer quiets the internal storm, keeps him from quitting too soon, and opens his ears to the voice of truth that cuts through the noise of fear, shame, and opinion.


From there, the path becomes simple, even if it’s not easy: pray, obey, expect. Prayer becomes a birthing position—like Elijah on Carmel—because heaven often brings things to earth through people who push in prayer. In prayer, God steadies us by reminding us who we are (“Joseph, son of David”) and who He is (“Emmanuel—God with us”). Identity and presence turn trembling into ferocity. You fight differently when you know you’re not alone.


Then comes obedience—the trust-fall of faith. God’s answers are often tied to God’s instructions. Joseph doesn’t just have a dream; he acts on it. The best time to obey is right away, because the space between instruction and action is where doubt multiplies and partial obedience (which is disobedience) sneaks in. And when we obey, heaven starts orchestrating: a census moves an empire so a prophecy lands in Bethlehem; a full inn funnels the Lamb of God to a manger; magi arrive with extravagant provision at the exact moment a family will need to live in exile; dreams guide each step and shield them from Herod’s scheme.


All of this leads to a settled expectation. When we pray and obey, we can expect God to guide, provide, and protect. Not because the process is neat, but because the Author is faithful. He writes purpose out of confusion, redemption out of chaos, and hope in places that feel dark. So if things aren’t adding up, don’t panic. Pray, obey, expect—and trust the One holding the pen.


Key Takeaways


1. Pray first, practice the holy pause


Prayer is not a last resort; it is the exchange where burdens go up and peace comes down—often before circumstances change. The pause of prayer stops knee-jerk reactions and creates space for God’s perspective to settle in. When you carry your load to God, you stop forfeiting the peace that was already purchased for you. Let prayer be your first response, not your final fallback.


2. Prayer births what heaven intends


Elijah’s posture on Carmel pictures intercession that “pushes” God’s purposes into time and space. We often want outcomes without the labor, but spiritual birth requires spiritual travail. When you get down to pray, you refuse to let the enemy time you out of your miracle and you partner with God’s timing. Some of you need to “get down” again—heaven is ready to deliver.


3. Obey immediately without leaving space


Instructions are often the hinges on which God’s doors swing open. The longer you wait, the louder your excuses sound; delay breeds doubt, and partial obedience is disobedience. Move while the word is warm—trust falls only work if you actually fall. Obedience doesn’t earn the miracle; it positions you to receive it.


4. Expect guidance, provision, and protection


God led Joseph step by step—four dreams, each with clarity for the next move. He provided through the magi before the journey to Egypt and protected the family from Herod’s snare. When you align with God’s instruction, you can live with a holy expectation that heaven will align what you cannot. Guidance for the turn, resources for the road, and covering for the battle are part of the package.


5. Remember who you are—and Who is with you


“Joseph, son of David” re-grounded a shaken man in his calling; “Emmanuel” assured him he wasn’t walking it alone. Identity anchors courage; presence fuels perseverance. You fight differently when you know the King is in the room and the story is His to finish. Let God name you again—and then move in the strength of that name.


Bible Study Guide


Bible reading


- Matthew 1:18-25


This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.


But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”


All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).


When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.


Observation questions


  1. In Matthew 1:18-25, what did Joseph first plan to do, and what changed his course of action?

  2. The phrase “holy pause” captures Joseph’s choice to consider before reacting. Where do you see that “pause” in the text, and what outcome follows it?

  3. In the angel’s message, two names are highlighted: “Joseph, son of David” and “Emmanuel—God with us.” What do those titles tell us right on the surface (before we even interpret them)?

  4. How many times did God guide Joseph through dreams, and what usually came with each dream?


Interpretation questions


  1. The message begins by naming identity (“son of David”) and presence (“Emmanuel”) before giving any instruction. Why might God steady a person with identity and presence first, and how could that change the way someone faces hard commands?

  2. “The best time to obey is right away,” and “partial obedience is disobedience.” Why would delay breed doubt, and what are some real-life examples of partial obedience that look harmless but actually derail trust?

  3. Peace that “surpasses understanding” suggests peace can arrive before anything makes sense. How does that reshape how a believer thinks about anxiety, problem-solving, and timing?

  4. Calling prayer a “birthing position” pictures pushing God’s purposes into time and space. What does that teach about partnering with God instead of being passive, and how does that speak to perseverance?


Application questions


  1. Where in your life right now do things “not add up”? What would it look like to practice the holy pause this week—prayer before reaction—and what will you do in those first 10 minutes?

  2. When will you “get down” to pray this week? Name one promise or purpose you need to push for in prayer, and decide on specific times to pray (even short, steady slots). What might perseverance look like for you over the next 7 days?

  3. What is one clear instruction from God you’ve been delaying? Name it. What is one concrete step you can take in the next 24 hours to remove the space between instruction and action?

  4. Write down a name God speaks over you (for example, “beloved,” “son/daughter,” “called,” “forgiven”) and keep “Emmanuel” beside it. How would remembering identity and presence change the way you fight this week?

  5. Where do you most need to expect God to move—guidance, provision, or protection? Name the next “turn” where you need clarity, the resource you need for the road, or the battle where you need covering. How will you ask and watch for it?

  6. In what area are you trying to be the architect—measuring, cutting, controlling every outcome? What would trusting the Master Builder look like this month, practically and simply?


Devotional


Day 1: When Things Don’t Add Up, Trust the Author


Life with God is not always linear, logical, or neat; sometimes the plan you held together starts to unravel and the future you imagined slips away. Joseph discovered that the God who calls us also carries us, even when the story feels messy and confusing. You don’t have to be the architect; you are not required to hold the plumb line over every angle of your life. The Master Builder is writing purpose out of confusion, and He invites you to rest in His hands. Practice surrender over control, trust over panic, worship over worry. Let your heart settle into the truth that the One holding the pen knows the whole story.


Matthew 1:18-21, 24-25 — Before Joseph and Mary came together, Mary was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. While Joseph wrestled with what to do, God met him in a dream and said, “Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife; what is growing in her is from Me. She will bear a Son—name Him Jesus, because He will rescue His people from their sins.” Waking up, Joseph did what God said, received Mary, and named the child Jesus.


  • Reflection: Where in your life does the math not work right now, and what one control you’ll release this week to let God write the next line of your story?



Day 2: Pray First: The Holy Pause of Peace


When confusion presses in, make prayer your first response, not your last resort. In prayer you practice the holy pause—handing God your worry, fear, and confusion and receiving His peace that arrives before the answers do. Prayer keeps you from reacting in the flesh and empowers you not to quit too soon. It is the birthing position where heaven brings things to earth. Get down, breathe, and let God steady your soul.


Philippians 4:6-7 — Don’t be driven by anxiety; in everything, turn to God with your requests and gratitude. As you do, God’s peace—greater than what your mind can figure out—will stand guard over your heart and thoughts in Christ.


  • Reflection: What situation will you bring to God before you text, vent, or plan, and when today will you take a five-minute “holy pause” to trade your worry for His peace?


Day 3: Hear the Voice of Truth Above the Noise

The enemy is loud, but God often whispers. Prayer is like noise-canceling headphones, quieting the shame, fear, and doom so you can hear the voice that says you are not alone and you do not need to be afraid. When tests come, ask for wisdom—God’s perspective that reframes your trial and shows you the way forward. Let Scripture be the soundtrack playing in your ears as you wait. Choose to listen and believe the voice of truth over every other voice. [27:49]James 1:5-6 — If you lack wisdom, ask God, and He will give generously without shaming you for asking. But when you ask, trust Him; don’t bounce back and forth in doubt, or you’ll struggle to receive what He is giving.Reflection: Which specific lie has been the loudest lately, and what one verse or truth will you speak back to it each morning this week?



Day 4: Obey Right Away: The Trust Fall of Faith


Prayer leads to instruction, and instruction calls for obedience. Joseph woke up and did what God said—no delay, no partial steps. Obedience may feel illogical, but it is the trust fall that releases heaven’s orchestration on earth. Don’t let space grow between what God says and what you do; partial obedience is simply disobedience with better PR. Take the step you know, and let God handle the steps you don’t.


James 2:17 — Faith that never moves into action is lifeless; real trust shows up in what we do.


  • Reflection: What clear, specific step has God already shown you that you have postponed, and what will you do in the next 24 hours to act on it?


Day 4: Obey Right Away: The Trust Fall of Faith


Prayer leads to instruction, and instruction calls for obedience. Joseph woke up and did what God said—no delay, no partial steps. Obedience may feel illogical, but it is the trust fall that releases heaven’s orchestration on earth. Don’t let space grow between what God says and what you do; partial obedience is simply disobedience with better PR. Take the step you know, and let God handle the steps you don’t.


James 2:17 — Faith that never moves into action is lifeless; real trust shows up in what we do.


  • Reflection: What clear, specific step has God already shown you that you have postponed, and what will you do in the next 24 hours to act on it?



Day 5: Expect God to Guide, Provide, and Protect


When you pray and obey, you can expect God to be God. He guided Joseph with repeated dreams, provided for the journey through lavish gifts, and protected the family from Herod’s scheme. The same God can move empires, align stars, and open closed doors to fulfill His word in your life. Expect Him to speak again when a turn is needed, and to keep you on the road when it is time to simply continue. Lift your eyes—where God guides, He also provides and protects. Wait with a faith that anticipates His orchestration.


Matthew 2:11-15 — They entered the house, honored the child, and offered costly treasures. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went home by another route. Then an angel told Joseph to take the child and His mother to Egypt to stay safe, and he left that very night, remaining there until God signaled the next move, fulfilling what had been foretold.


  • Reflection: Where do you need God’s guidance, provision, or protection right now, and what small act of gratitude or generosity will help you hold a posture of expectation as you wait?



Questions and Answers:


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