Over the past year I’ve had stretches where I haven’t readily felt my faith. God hasn’t felt as near as He often does. I’ve endured a significant disappointment and wondered where God is; Is He still working when I can’t see or feel Him? But notice my emphasis on feeling, on my senses. If God is only faithful when we can feel Him, then we as humans have a problem. Thankfully, God’s goodness doesn’t rise or fall on how we feel about Him. His goodness is based on who He is. Here are three things that have helped me the past year.
Go Back to What Is True, Not What You Feel Is True
This past weekend I spoke at a church in California. I’m always grateful to teach God’s Word, but this weekend I needed it. I needed to be reminded of who God is. I was teaching on the power that pours forth from God’s holiness. When the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, they exclaimed, “Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11). God is unlike all others, and He never stops working, even when we don’t feel it. Go back to Scripture. Give your feelings and emotions to God, and ask Him to remind you of what is true about Him.
When Things Are Out of Your Control, They’re Not Out of God’s
One of the truths I’ve held onto this past year is God is in control. This doesn’t mean that heartbreak doesn’t happen, or hardship won’t come our way, but it does mean He is sovereign over all. Some really important things are currently out of my control, so what a balm to my soul Colossians 1:16-17 has been: “For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.” All things are held together by Him. What are you afraid of? What is causing you anxiety? Take it to His loving care.
Choose Gratitude
Gratitude does not come easy to me but it’s a spiritual discipline I’ve been practicing this year. When we are experiencing various trials, and we don’t know what the future holds, we can look around at the many good things God has blessed us with. We can thank Him for these many blessings and turn our gratitude to worship. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).
These are a few of the things I’ve been going back to. I hope they help you in whatever season you find yourself in.