When life takes a quick turn in a direction you never saw coming – you hurt, you question God, you wonder if you ever heard Him right – and you feel more alone than you’ve ever felt, what do you do?
When you struggle with feeling God’s Presence and direction, what do you do?
As I shared in this post on Monday sometimes all you can do is just show up. You faithfully show up and trust the Truth of God’s Words until healing begins and your heart softens enough to feel His Presence.
Sweet sisters that is exactly what I did when I thought God was heading in one direction and suddenly He took an immediate turn. I continued to show up each morning for my quiet time and my devotion time with my kids before school.
And then one morning during the devotion before my kids left for school I felt a slight tug on my heart. It was in the words of this devotion for kids in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young that I began to feel God’s Presence again.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But sometimes it can be hard for you to understand My way of doing things in this life. It’s easy to get your mind stuck on your own idea of how things should go. Just don’t get so stuck on your idea that you forget to look for My way.
When things are not going your way, don’t panic – accept the situation. Feeling sorry for yourself can easily spill over into feelings of resentment and anger. That can cause you to push away from Me.
Remember that I use all things to work together for good in your life – even the things you wish were different. So accept your situation, and then look around you for what I am doing. Keep your eyes on Me – no matter what is happening around you. When you keep Me in the center of your thinking, I help you make good choices.”
– an excerpt from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids
by Sarah Young
That morning after taking the kids to school I grabbed the devotion book, my bible, journal and pen and headed out the door to my deck. I sensed God needed to meet me somewhere out of my ordinary routine spot.
I dug through scripture and with each passing moment I felt my heart soften. Through prayer I poured my heart out to God, prayed His Word and honestly spilled out my pain. And as I did I felt His Presence come closer and closer.
While the situation is still hard and painful I have a peace that God is with me. And while the path is still unclear, I know if I keep my eyes on the Cross, my God will light the way.
So sweet sisters if you have been hurt and have lost your way please don’t ever stop showing up and reading God’s Word. There may be days when all you can do is go through the motions but in going through the motions you have taken the first step and God can use the smallest words and what seems insignificant to pull you closer to Him.
If you are in this place I want to share with you my prayer.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes I just don’t understand your ways. I know that you tell me in your word to trust you with all my heart and not to lean on my own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5,6) But Lord sometimes it’s just so hard. I think I hear you telling me to go a certain way or things are going to work out a particular way and then life falls apart and turns out completely different. I acknowledge you and trust that you will make my paths straight but then they take a sharp turn left. And God I’m left floundering searching for truth, searching for understanding, searching for direction. And I don’t know where to turn or what to pray.
Lord I’m weak. I know the Spirit will intercede for me. (Romans 8:26) I groan and I cry out for your Spirit to intercede. Lord I pray that you will work a miracle in this situation and that all will come out stronger. Lord I trust you to be true to your word, that in all things you work for the good of those who love you, who have been called according to your purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Lord I am falling on my knees at the foot of the Cross. Let me feel your mighty hand of grace, mercy, comfort and peace as I give you my anxiety, my pain, my anger, and my resentment. (1 Peter 5:6,7) Lift me up, restore me, and make me strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen
Sisters don’t give up. When you have trouble feeling God’s Presence please continue to show up, stay in His Word, trust His Truth and over time your pain will subside, your heart will soften and you will begin to feel His Presence again.
My friends I would love to pray for you. Please share in the comment section or you may contact me via email with specific request.
In His Calm,
