Have you ever asked, “God, did You forget me? Do you love me?” Sometimes we have moments where we believe that we are behind, left out, or stuck. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve asked God about His whereabouts, and very recently. I get it! If you’re currently questioning everything, this message is for you.
Even when it looks like you’re the only one going through it, know that you’re not alone.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like people don’t understand what you’re going through? My hand is all the way up. Telling yourself that you’re alone or that “no one gets it” while you’re struggling is exactly what the enemy wants you to think. I am not meant to wrestle with my thoughts or to overcome challenges on my own, and neither should you–that’s how we end up spiraling into darkness. We can find comfort in knowing that Christ is there to listen to us when we are deeply hurting or need help. Our difficult seasons are also opportunities to seek a strong, faith-based community that will rally behind each of us so that we continue to remain encouraged. And if you don’t have one, know that’s perfectly okay to reach out to someone. Where two or three gather in His name, Jesus is present. (Matthew 18:20).
It may not be revealed to you now, but there is purpose in every struggle.
God does not waste our time. There is a lesson in every experience, including the hard ones. It’s always when we are trying to do God’s work that the enemy tries to thwart our efforts of doing so. I think about Jeremiah, who was instructed by God to give the Israelites their final warning to turn from their sinful ways. As he preached, he endured persecution.
Jeremiah was the source of ridicule by his own people and he grappled with sadness, loneliness and rejection. Yet, he continued to remain faithful to the task God put before him by preaching an unpopular message. In fact, God promised Jeremiah that if he remained faithful to the task, He would help him withstand the persecution (Jeremiah 1:17-19). Even in your difficult season, continue to glorify God in all that you do. He will sustain you, even as you face opposition.
Your thoughts, tears, and pain matters to the One who created you.
Psalm 139 tells us this through King David’s words when he was going through persecution. Sometimes, when we are in seasons of hardship, it’s tempting to think that God just doesn’t care about what we are going through. But God does care and He cares deeply. In fact, God knew when and how long you’d be experiencing your various seasons before you were even born (Psalm 139:5-6). He knows your thoughts before they enter your mind (Psalm 139:1), and He took his precious time creating you for His unique purpose (Psalm 139:13-14).
God is incredibly attentive to our needs, and He will will help us overcome any battle we face. You are very important to Him and He has not forgotten you.
