Why Strengthening Faith Doesn’t Always Bring Instant Miracles

There’s a common misconception that once a person returns to religious observance, life suddenly becomes perfect, and the Creator arranges all the pieces neatly into place. People may imagine that if they act like “good children” toward God, the heavens will open and rewards will start pouring down.

Indeed, there are times when there are great improvements after a person takes a significant step forward. When a Jew overcomes personal comfort and habits, and elevates themselves spiritually, God often responds measure for measure, lifting them above the laws of nature. In such moments, a person can move from living under natural forces to living under divine providence — free from the control of fate and circumstance and with great blessing.

Occasionally however, a person is presented with difficulties precisely to push them toward growth. By strengthening themselves and advancing spiritually, those challenges may often disappear, having already served their purpose.

When We Block Ourselves

Sometimes things don’t turn out as we hoped because of our behavior. King Solomon writes: “A man’s own folly subverts his way, and his heart rages against the Lord” (Mishlei 19:3). People sometimes make mistakes that bring negative consequences upon themselves, and then they blame God.

For example:

• A person may avoid working on their character traits yet complain about lacking peace in their home.

• Someone may suffer from deep fears or emotional blocks they refuse to heal, and then wonder why God doesn’t grant them success in that area.

• Negative feelings like resentment, hatred, or jealousy can cause health problems, while the person fails to do the inner work to remove them.

Our actions, inner attitudes, or unhealed wounds can sometimes be what prevents real change in our lives.

When Heaven Asks for More

Sometimes the reason we don’t see immediate results is that God wants more from us. Perhaps we strengthened ourselves in one area, but Heaven is asking for another step such as more trust and faith, more heartfelt prayer, greater modesty, Shabbat observance, setting fixed times for Torah study, or refining our character. Deep down, each person knows their own heart. With honest self-reflection, we can usually identify where further growth is being called for.

A Dangerous Mindset

There’s a real danger in thinking: “Because I took on this mitzvah, God owes me a blessing in return.” This sets us up for disappointment and bitterness if things don’t go our way.

The Talmudic Sages warn us not to “examine” our prayers too closely. Even after praying with full intention, we should not expect immediate results, as that expectation can lead to heartbreak when things don’t happen on our timeline (Berachot 32b).

We must take on commitments and strengthen ourselves spiritually, as this is the only way to bring about change. At the same time, we must avoid the impatient attitude of “Well, where are the results?”

Spiritual growth is not a business deal with God. It’s not: “I’ll improve, and in exchange You’ll give me what I want.” We must not feel entitled, as though God owes us blessings because of our deeds. Every gift we receive from Him comes from kindness and mercy, not our merits.

The True Reward

Even if the salvation seems delayed, the spiritual steps we’ve taken are already recorded in our eternal account above. We’ve risen to a higher level and drawn closer to God, who delights in us and is proud of us beyond measure.