Fear can cripple our emotions. Struggles in life can leave us feeling hopeless and forsaken by God. When God seems distant, we can erroneously conclude that He doesn’t care or love us. That is simply not true. Emotions are not facts, and they can fool us. Do not feel forsaken by God.
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.
Micah 7:7–8
Many biblical examples give us hope. Joseph was sold into slavery. King David fled for his life and hid in the caves of En Gedi. Paul was shipwrecked. How did each of these men feel? Had God forgotten or abandoned them? Absolutely not! God is sovereign. He knew exactly where they were and what was happening. God’s will was fulfilled in each of these cases in His perfect timing.
In tough times, declare God’s truth in order to bring your emotions in check.
Look to the Lord and wait for Him. God hears you. When you fall, He will lift you up. When darkness surrounds you, allow Jesus to be your light. In the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus was overcome with emotion, He submitted to His Father’s will. Jesus died on the cross but overcame death through His resurrection. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37–39). What a promise! Declare that truth in your life today!
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or hopeless? How did you respond? In hindsight, how could you have handled things differently? Do you currently need victory in your life? Go to the Lord in prayer.
Excerpt from Peace in the Storms of Life, pg 154-155.