The mere presence of the study, however, does not answer how one "controls" for God's will.
Whether because He has some unknown purpose, or "do not put the Lord your God to the test", or any other mechanism including placebo effects and/or chain yanking, remains to be seen.
Cheers!
God is not a sugar daddy or some sock puppet to be used when someone feels the need.
I never gave my kids everything they wanted. Sometimes it was because I knew that it wasn’t good for them. Sometimes it was that we had other (and better) plans.
Specifically, I recall one instance where we have planned a trip to FL but never told them. When they asked to do something during that time period, like go to the zoo, for example, we told them, No. Of course, they were disappointed and upset and could not understand WHY we weren’t doing something for them that we normally would have said yes to in a heartbeat. They liked it less when I wouldn’t give them any good reason.
But they sure did like it when they finally found out, the day before we left.
As a parent, I do what’s best for them, not what they want or even think that they want. And I owe them no explanations either. I’m the parent and I’m responsible for them. It’s my job to do what is best for them whether they like it or not.
God is not compared to our father for no reason. All we need to do is trust Him just like we trust our human parents.
I guess I’m slow, and this has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but I just realized the incredible number of vanities you’ve authored.