Going through something hard?

I don't know where you may be in life. I don't know what your circumstances are or how you feel on a daily basis. Maybe you're depressed, maybe you have given up on the possibility that God could actually love you and that He is real.

I feel very compelled today to share the love of Christ with you. I want to remind you that He sees you. He sees where you are, He knows how you got there and even though you may feel totally alone and wonder if things will ever get better, your life is literally resting in His hands.

Isaiah 41:10 - "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

In that verse, God is reminding Israel of their special status with God. I love that description of God's children - special status. How awesome it is to know that we have special status with God, because we are His children.

HE LOVES YOU!

That being said, I feel the need to remind you that the trials you are going through may not be directly from God. Never, ever blame God for your poor circumstances. Yes, He allowed things to happen. Nothing passes through His hands without His permission, but what I mean is that maybe your circumstances are a direct cause of something you did. Maybe, its the effect of a choice or an action that someone else made or did. Whatever the case, if you are a child of God, He wouldn't have allowed anything into your life that He hadn't already equipped and prepared you for.

If you know that your circumstances are because of something you did, confess it. Confess it to God and receive His free gift of FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness is my most favorite things that God does, because I ask for and receive it daily.

1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Oh, so you think you're too far gone for forgiveness? You're wrong! God forgave Paul for literally being an anti-Christ. Paul was the killer and abuser of the first Christians. He hated Jesus. He was a prideful Pharisee that God humbled and used. If God can forgive and actually use a murderer.. certainly you are not beyond His grace. The same amount of Jesus' blood was shed to save every single person no matter how great their sin.

Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15 - "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

Now the hard part... You're in a storm right now because of the choices of someone else. Ouch. Its going to be hard, but forgiveness is the first step towards sunny skies. Read Acts 27.  
Seriously, stop right now and read it.
You just read the story about Paul's sea voyage to Rome. In verse 10 he warns the captains that they are certainly headed for disaster. He was right. It wasn't his fault, he had done nothing wrong, but God still allowed them to go through the storm. He could have supernaturally allowed the storm to pass. He could have done something, anything, right? But, He didn't and the best part about that is Paul didn't question God, blame Him or doubt Him. He prayed and trusted. Then, God sent an angel to comfort Paul and give him peace. (verse 23&24)

Paul could have been angry with the people that did not listen to him, and rightfully so! But, instead He prayed for them, encouraged them (verse 36) and worked hard with them to keep everyone safe.
When you've been hurt by another person's poor judgment, don't give into the feelings of hate and bitterness. Forgive. Give it over to Jesus Christ. You may think you can never forgive that person, but with God's power you are literally capable of anything!

Like I said before, He sees you. He really does. Maybe you can't feel Him right now, maybe you wonder why He hasn't delivered you yet or why He allowed you to go through what you're going through. Honestly, I don't have the answers for you. I don't know why. I wish I did, but all I know is that God is God no matter what enters our lives and His love is bigger than anything that we may be going through. We need to have faith in His promises and rest in His hands. Allow Him to heal you and look for Him in your daily life. He is there, He just may be quiet right now. One of my favorite quotes is, "When you are going through something hard, and you're wondering where God is remember the teacher is always quiet during the test." He is teaching you something. Embrace it and love the fact that the God of the universe is taking the time to make Himself strong through you, because He loves you.

1 John 4:10 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (Propitiation - a covering)

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (He knew all the ways you were going to mess up, but He still died for you)

1 Timothy 4:16 "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God abides in love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."

1 Peter 4:8 "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins."

He loves you. He has proved it. Don't doubt it. Don't question it. Ever.

Music speaks to me better than anything else.

 Listen to this song, hopefully it encourages you that way that it has for me!