Dear God, Where Are You When Life Gets Difficult?
God and the Difficult Times. The dark silence surrounds you as you watch the clock inch its way to sunrise. At this moment, you feel nothing as you beg the sun not to illuminate the sky. Once it does, the pain of living begins again.
As you close your eyes, craving your soul’s rest, thoughts of the freedom of Heaven swirl through your head, “Get me out of this life, I long for something more,” you pray while the tears of agony flood your eyes.
The soul in torment may not be you. You may be in the midst of a perfect life untouched by the sting of loss, the agony of pain, or the despair of defeat. Praise God for that!
However, this article is not for you. Save it for later; the day may come when you need these words.
Today, I’m writing to the shipwreck-shattered whose heart is sitting on the island of despair begging for the end so Heaven may begin.
To those who’ve lost a parent, spouse, or a child; to those whose husband is in the next room tearing your heart to pieces with his words, actions, and addictions; to those who have lost their children to a callous, stupid mistake and they refuse to utter a word to you; to those of you who stare at your empty cupboards wondering from whence your next meal will come (or all the above), this is for you.
In 2 Chronicles 20 King Jehoshaphat faced vast armies, attacks from all around. He saw no way because there was no way. Alarmed, he went to the Lord and then proclaimed a fast for all of Judah. While they fasted, he prayed.
“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in Heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham, your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgement, or the plague of famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ … Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:6-9, 12 NIV
Do you see your situation right there? Facing a battle you cannot win, the hot tears of heartbreak flood your soul. You see no way because there is no way.
The Lord answered back letting them know, (talking to you through the pages of His word as well) that this battle (just like the battle you face) is NOT your battle, but God’s.
The Lord encouraged them not to be afraid, nor discouraged, but to face their enemies.
King Jehoshaphat bowed down, prostrate upon the ground and began to worship the Lord, His God, who is YOUR God. The very same God of second Chronicles, the God who was a friend to Abraham, is the same God to whom you cling now. Every word He spoke then, is truth right now. Worship Him for this, praise His holy name.
God says to you, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Take that to heart. Have faith! He means what He says.
His promises are true!!
God and the Difficult Times
Daughter of the King, you may be in that place of life where all the world is against you, and you would rather die than breathe.
Keep going!
3 Scriptures to Trust God in Difficult Times
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Even though you do not feel like it, lift up your voice in praise, fall on your face in your fear and despair and worship Him. You may not feel His presence or see His face, but you must know in your heart and fully believe that His word IS Truth and His promise is the only believable promise in this cruel world.
Cling to His words with the knowledge of that truth when your heart cannot find its way out of your chest, and all hope disappears. Cling to those faith building bible verses.
For God loved YOU so much that He gave His one and only son to suffer malevolently, to be beaten and bruised, and killed in a ferociously violent way…because HE LOVES YOU that much. — John 3:16 paraphrased
Because He died for YOU, He gets to put a value on your head. You are worthy of His death. He calls you daughter. Every day you breathe life, He shows just how much He loves you. Look around. Lift up your eyes. From where does your help come? It comes from the same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who sacrificed His son for you.
God is There for You in Difficult Times
Lay down your hurt, lay down your heart. He wants you to believe His word is Truth.
Sister, you are hurt and in pain. Exhausted! You may not feel Him and you certainly do not see Him, please just believe. Hold on to the promises He gave; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Hold onto this Hope, every seed sown in despair will produce fruit in its time, for He is God and He calls you daughter. Just believe.
I’m praying for you sister.
Starla Jimenez is the mother of two and gal behind starlajimenez.com. On her blog, she shares devotional resources, encouragement for the weary heart, tips on raising Godly children, words of wisdom for struggling marriages, and how to love God even when it hurts.
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