James 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
When storms and struggles and terribly dark seasons of life strike what is your response?
I can remember getting so angry with God years ago because I thought He should have just fixed what was going on in my life and He didn’t! I figured since I had been faithful in following Him that somehow that meant that He should fix everything and of course in my time! He didn’t and I was angry so I rebelled. Yeah, well…… that really doesn’t work out very well! I am not really sure why we think that when we are angry the best thing to do is to lash out and do stupid things! Really? How does that help and why would we ever think we would feel better afterward?
Now, I have also had times, truly the worst season of my life, and I chose to cling to Him instead of getting angry and lashing out and rebelling and that is where I found Hope! That is where I found rest in the middle of the storm! That is where my faith in Him grew! That is where I didn’t have regrets for my actions. That is where I found His peace even when He was silent and I couldn’t seem to get any answers. That is where I found His comfort.
Remember that satan is out to steal, kill and destroy so if he can get you to believe that God doesn’t really care or that God should be doing more than what you can see, he’s got you! Do not believe his lies! Take every thought captive! When you start allowing your mind to run wild with crazy thoughts you lose track of the truth. Focus on God! Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you! If He seems a bit quiet, know that He is still working and He loves you and you can trust Him! Keep pressing forward and pressing into Him knowing that He has you in the palm of His hand and truly His best is yet to come!
Quote: “The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived not always looked forward to as though the ‘real’ living were around the next corner. It is today for which we are responsible. God still owns tomorrow.” ~Elisabeth Elliot
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Dear Janet,
You and your ministry are such a blessing!! So helpful to read that you found peace in Him even though He still did not seem to be working–or seemed silent. I have found myself thinking & saying, Lord, where are you?? But, that is not producing the desired results 🙂 Thank you so much for the reminder and encouraging words that He is still working even though I may not see anything…yet 🙂 God bless you and keep you <3
This is my story, a story of doubt, fear, lots of heartache, and questions of why, but mostly a testament to faith. I was going through a terrible divorce after 11 years of marriage. During our separation my x had visits with our two kids. My daughter was 6 and my son 3. I had recently joined the Air Force reserves after being out for 5 years. I needed something to help support me and my kids. While off on my weekend drill the kids were with their father. Sunday evening as i was leaving Base i realized several messages on my phone. Four missed calls from police department and two from the ER. As i listened to the voicemail my heart sank, tears began to flow. What normally took 2 hrs driving time from home to Grissom AFB only took me an hours drive back home. When I arrived at the ER my kids adopted grandparents were there to comfort them. I walked in the room to see my little girl who’s face was black and blue, my son was traumatized and me….. devastated beyond belief. How could he hurt his own children? Why did God allow this? Why? Why? Why,!!!? Over the next six years i wss in and out of court, attorney fees with no way to pay them, a single mom forced to live with her parents, riding an emotional rollercoaster that never seem to end…. Amidst it all…God was there! 9 months after living in my parents house i took all the money I earned at my job, took a leap of faith, putting it ALL on one months rent and deposit for a mobile home. I eventually took another leap of faith and started dating, yes through all the chaos! Any man that could withstand the storm i was in would be worth keeping. Match.com is where I truly saw Gods work begin. You see i prayed for God to send a man who put Him first. …and he did. My life began to change when I met my new husband. Not only did God give him the strength to take on two children and myself, he also gave him the strength to stand amidst my storm. After 6yrs together we won the battle against my x . My husband was finally able to adopt my two children. We’ve been married for 5yrs and have two more children. God will never let you go through a storm alone. He is always there.
Wow Thank you so much for sharing your story! That’s such an awesome example of God’s faithfulness!