To say that my life has gone terribly wrong would be an understatement. Over twenty years ago I became seriously ill and never fully recovered.
It's a long story, and while there have been many healings, my life has been drastically reduced to the point where I often depend on survival: many days I'm strong enough to shop and eat Find. I regularly have weeks (and occasionally months) where I can barely function. I can't work full time. I could barely use my gifts in the ministry. I don't have a great social life. I only go to church once or twice a month.
This disability has existed for most of my adult life.
I have gone through periods of regret and severe, life-threatening depression. And while I have had seasons where I have constantly felt the sweet presence of God, I have had long periods where I have felt nothing for Him.
I cried for a long time. Where was God and what was he doing?
But eventually that question became a search: if I have lost all feeling for God, if I cannot feel His presence, His goodness or His love, how can I know what He is doing?
The responses are amazing. If you are in a place like me where everything is falling apart, where you have no sense of God, I pray that you can hold on to these 5 things.
1. He sees you
One of the things that can be especially difficult with the difficult things that we are going through is the fact that other people in our lives may not be doing it.verwhat we are dealing with. For example, I don't look sick, so people who see me in church from time to time never know what I live with on a day-to-day basis.
The same goes for anxiety, depression, grief, abandonment, abuse: they are significant burdens, but they may be invisible to those around us.
You are not invisible to God. He is the god who sees, and he sees you as he saw the Egyptian slave Hagar in the desert. Hagar, fleeing from Abram and Sarai, battered and alone, seemingly insignificant, is caughtpresence of godin a spring in the middle of his journey.Genesis 16:13It says: "She gave this name to the Lord, who said to her: 'You are the God who sees me.'return on investment, the god who sees me.
God sees you even when you feel like your struggles are invisible. This was a comfort to me in those horrible days that no one else can understand: I will be seen.
2. He listens to you
Because you feel invisible, you may also feel unheard. During long and difficult journeys, those around us can experience a depletion of compassion and are unable to continue to grieve with us. Or they may be limited by their own need and unable to step out of it to listen to what we are experiencing.
Thank God that God listens to us! He repeats it over and over again in the Psalms. Here are some verses:
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice;
heard my cry for mercy.
because he turned his ear to me
I'll call him as long as I live. Salmo 116:1-2
"The eyes of the Lord are upon themsingle,
and his ears hear their cry." Salmo 34:15(Video) 3 Confusing Things God Will Use to Reveal THE ONE to You
Their hearing is very different from ours. You are not limited in your understanding or experience. We literally can't tell you anything you don't understand. He is not limited by his motivation, he is not like that friend who listens to you for 5 minutes just to get you to reciprocate. And he isn't hampered by his own need for him like those around us might be.
He is fully present for us to hear and understand.
Images: Unsplash/Naassom Azevedo
3. He carries your pain
In your most difficult moments, Satan will trick you into thinking that God has abandoned you or that he is an ambivalent and distant observer. Could not be farther from the truth!
Time and time again, the Scriptures describe how God cares about our pain and responds with us, and you cannot look at Christ on the cross and believe that God is ambivalent or distant.
I was particularly encouraged by the inclusive nature of the cross as described in Isaiah. Seven hundred years before Christ, the prophet wrote about the crucifixion. But he's not just talking about Christ atoning for our sins.Isaiah 53:4it says, "Surely he took our sorrows and bore our sorrows." The New King James translates it as "Surely he bore our sorrows and bore our sorrows."
This passage points to the fact that Christ's death dealt with all the effects of the curse; that Christ, when he went to Calvary, not only bore our sin but also entered into our pain and sadness.
4. He is with you
Christ not only walks with us in our pain, but also promises never to leave us. Christ speaksMateo 28:20, "'And I will certainly be with you always, until the end of the world.'" YHebrews 13:5tells us: "He himself said: 'I will never leave you, nor will I leave you.'" (NASB)
In short, you are not alone.
There will be times when you definitely feel his presence and times when you don't, but he hasn't moved. He is with you, every day, in every situation.
In my new online bible studyComfort for dark dayslet's take a closer lookSalmo 139, by the God who "encloses me from behind and from before" (Salmo 139:5). I don't have space here to go into all the details, but suffice it to say that this is more than God's passive presence: it is his personal, active, protective presence.
At the beginning of my trip, on a very hard day, a friend took me by the hand and said: “You are not abandoned, Lori. You are not helpless." It was exactly what I needed to hear, and I want to pass it on to you. Wherever you are, whatever happens, you are not abandoned.
5. He loves you
This truth has been particularly difficult for me to hear at various times during my long journey. But I've had friends who supported it for me, who wholeheartedly believed it for me while I struggled to believe it myself.
God loves you so much, more than I can put into words. More than your mind can comprehend. His love for you is endless.
Paul tells us in Ephesians that we should pray “to understand how vast and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know that love which surpasses all knowledge, that you may be able to fill up to the measure of all the fullness that comes to be of God” (Ef. 3:18-19).
His love is so great that we cannot understand it without his divine help.
But here's the thing: not alwaysfeelinghis love, just as you will not always feel his presence. And it may not make sense to you given your circumstances. (How could a loving God allow me to live with over twenty years of chronic illness? There is no easy answer to that.)
Often a friend would assure me of God's love and I would cry. I had a lot of pain. Now I am out of the worst of the darkness and I can look back and see his hand and his loving presence in my story in so many ways.
But I am convinced that even in the worst moments when we cannot understand them, we must hold on to this truth. he loves us more than we will ever know. Even if we don't understand it.
The reality of the Christian life is that our physical senses cannot begin to capture the spiritual reality that surrounds us. There are many things that happen in the spiritual world that we do not feel or perceive.
You say you can't feel God or understand what He's doing, and boy do I understand, but take heart! Based on the scriptures, weYou knowhe does these things anyway, regardless of what we perceive or feel.
And this brief overview is just the tip of the iceberg. If you'd like to dig deeper into these truths and more, check out my new online Bible study.Comfort for dark days. When things fall apart, what you need is to rely on the truth more than anything, and this study will help you do that.
What difference does it make to you to know that your loving God hears and sees and cares for you and goes with you and bears your pain? For me it does not change my everyday physical reality, but it gives me safety and security in between.
Crédito: ©GettyImages/tommaso79
FAQs
What does God say when everything goes wrong? ›
Isaiah 41:10-13
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 11 Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.
- To Do Justice. The first thing God desires of His people, is that they do justice. ...
- To Love Kindness. The second thing God desires is that His people love kindness. ...
- To Walk Humbly With Our God. Finally, God desires His people to walk humbly with Him.
He's "on the throne, watching over His own." When everything goes wrong He will work it out for His glory and for your good.
What does it mean spiritually when everything is going wrong? ›Ultimately, when everything goes wrong, it is important to remember that we are not alone. We are part of something greater, and we are connected to a higher power or a divine plan that is guiding us. By turning to our spiritual beliefs and practices, we can find meaning, peace, and hope even in the midst of chaos.
Do you turn God in difficult times? ›Second Corinthians 5:7 tells us it can be difficult to trust God during uncertain times, but as believers we know that His ways are not our ways, and He will ultimately work all things for good (Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8:28). Having faith in difficult times can allow you to find peace in God's presence.
What are the three things God Cannot do? ›This catchy tract explains that there are three things God cannot do: He cannot lie, He cannot change, and He cannot allow sinners into heaven.
What is one thing that pleases God? ›The One Thing That Pleases God: Faith!
What are the sacrifices God wants? ›God wants us to offer ourselves wholeheartedly, living for him with every part of our being. Jesus, you offered yourself for my sake. Help me to offer myself to live for you. May I act with justice, mercy, and humility, as you did.
When God shows up what happens? ›Whenever God shows up, things always get better. ONE of the powerful revelations of God in the scripture is that JEHOVAH GOD ALWAYS SHOWS UP on behalf of His people. Whenever God shows up, things always get better. Things can never go bad or worse, when God shows up.
Is God in control over everything? ›The Bible teaches that God's sovereignty is an essential aspect of who he is, that he has supreme authority and absolute power over all things. And yes he is very much active, despite our perplexity. Scripture says, God works “all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11).
Does God do things suddenly? ›
What God has promised, He will SUDDENLY FULFILL. It will not take long for you to receive your breakthrough. JESUS said, “My Father worketh hitherto and I work”. John 5: 17.
How do I turn my life around when everything goes wrong? ›- Accept, accept, accept.
- Stick to the present. ...
- Focus on realistic expectations for yourself and the situation.
- Differentiate what you can and what you cannot change.
- Take one step, then another. ...
- Rather than focusing on the worst case, think instead of what else is possible.
- Look for the lesson.
- Try Something New. If things aren't working out the way they are now, then the first logical step is to go try something new. ...
- Get To Cleanin' ...
- Build Up From Small Changes. ...
- Go Hang Out With Cool People. ...
- Take Some Time To Assess. ...
- Be All About The Lists.
- 1) Identify what you can control—and what you can't. ...
- 2) Address what you can control. ...
- 3) Surrender what you can't control. ...
- 4) Meditate on the promises of your faithful God. ...
- 5) Choose a “letting go” motto. ...
- 6) Resolve not to act on fear but on faith.
"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15). "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You" (Psalm 9:9-10).
What God says during difficult times? ›Psalm 9:9 “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Similar to the previous verse, Psalm 9:9 emphasizes placing your trust in God.
Does God get mad at you? ›So while God is not human, he does get angry. And he has good reason for reacting to human behavior with anger. In fact, God wouldn't be good if he didn't have strong reactions to evil and injustice.
Why does God allow me to struggle and fail? ›God allows struggle and difficult times because we are sinners and we all come short of the glory of God. God loves us, but because of our sinful nature, He allows these things to happen.
Can God change a situation? ›Once we have faith without an iota of doubt, God will change that situation of sorrow to joy. Faith is crucial. However, there are instances when people who are not strong in faith receive miracles. Why would God give one who is not strong in faith a miracle?
What is impossible to God? ›Scripture tells us numerous times that “Nothing is impossible with God.” The Bible encourages us to believe and God and that all things are possible with Him. Jesus was a great example of this, performing miracles in His time that many would have considered impossible.
What are God's Three Laws? ›
The three laws are; first fasting, second fast offerings, and third tithing. These laws come with promised blessings. All three laws have nothing to do with money, but have everything to do with faith.
What God has shut no one can open? ›The scripture says, “God opens doors that no man can shut, and He shuts doors that no man can open.” God is your doorkeeper. Other people can't keep you out of your purpose; obstacles can't keep you from what God has ordained for you.
What kind of prayer pleases God? ›Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever. Amen.
What brings God pleasure? ›God takes pleasure in His plan of salvation and in His Son Jesus Christ. “For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,” (Colossians 1:19). Jesus was God in human flesh, and it was through Him that provided a way to save sinners.
Can I ask God for anything? ›– John 14:13–14. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
What are the 5 sacrifices? ›These five sacrifices elaborate one's socio-ecological responsibilities are such as: (1) Rrushi Yajnya- (sacrifices for the source of knowledge - teachers), (2) Pitru Yajnya (responsibility for the parents, ancestors and self genetic system), (3) Deva Yajnya (protection for the environmental powers as Gods), (4) Bhoota ...
What are the two types of sacrifices? ›Leviticus lays out two kinds of sacrifices: fines and gifts.
What is the perfect sacrifice of God? ›God sent Jesus to be a perfect sacrifice for your sins. Scripture says, “But our High Priest (Jesus) offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand.” Hebrews 10:12 NLT.
How do you know if God is talking to you? ›This can happen through prayer, contemplation and/or time in the Bible. We begin to discern God's voice over the noise of our world as we give time to these disciplines. The Holy Spirit begins speaking to us. We begin to hear God through those around us, circumstances and even our conscience.
What is it called when God reveals things to you? ›In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing of some form of truth or knowledge through communication with a deity or other supernatural entity or entities.
How do you know if you feel God's presence? ›
God's presence can be felt in different ways. If you've ever been in a group of people who are praying, sometimes it feels like there is a large, comforting, presence in the room, other than that of the people you are with. Sometimes you sense that same presence in church, as I said above.
Why worry if God is in control? ›Why do we worry when God is in control of everything? We worry because we are sinners. It is a sin because we struggle to obey Jesus' command not to worry. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus commands us “not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink or about our bodies or what we will wear.
Does God's power have limits? ›God's ability to do is unlimited. The reason why is because God is the Lord who is strong and mighty (Psalm 24:8); power belongs to him (Psalm 62:11). He is of great power; one abundant in strength (Psalm 147:5).
What verse says that God is in control? ›Isaiah 45:6-7
That people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.
God never removes something from our lives without replacing it with something far better. It might not seem so at the time, but we later marvel at God's wisdom and goodness. Obey Him and heed what the Bible says: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
Does God control random events? ›The Bible clearly teaches that God is in control of random events. The casting of lots mentioned in the Bible is very analogous to our earlier example of flipping a coin.
What happens when God goes ahead of 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." So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
When everything in life falls apart? ›Step 1: Double down on your health and fitness
If things are falling apart in your life then THE most important thing that you can do to get your life back on track is to: Lift heavy weights 4X a week and sprint once a week. Eat a whole foods diet with only one serving of meat a day. Sleep 8–9 hours a night.
- Breathe. ...
- Admit that you're anxious or angry. ...
- Challenge your thoughts. ...
- Release the anxiety or anger. ...
- Visualize yourself calm. ...
- Think it through. ...
- Change your focus. ...
- Have a centering object.
- Take a look at the impact of your emotions. Intense emotions aren't all bad. ...
- Aim for regulation, not repression. ...
- Identify what you're feeling. ...
- Accept your emotions — all of them. ...
- Keep a mood journal. ...
- Take a deep breath. ...
- Know when to express yourself. ...
- Give yourself some space.
What are the symptoms of soul sickness? ›
"Soul sickness," or demoralization, is characterized by feelings of hopelessness and helplessness and a perceived sense of incompetence. This condition typically involves vague, unexplained physical symptoms. Soul sickness can be efficiently diagnosed by asking patients a series of questions about their personal lives.
What causes spiritual depression? ›It can be caused by a range of factors, including the loss of a loved one, a sense of meaninglessness, or a feeling of being disconnected from one's spiritual beliefs. While spiritual depression is often misunderstood or overlooked, it can be just as debilitating as other depressive disorders.
What are examples of spiritual pain? ›The lists included, but were not limited to anger toward God, questioning the meaning of suffering or the meaning of one's own existence, verbal comments regarding an inner conflict about beliefs or about one's relationship with a deity, an inability to participate in one's usual religious practices, and more.
How do you mentally rebuild yourself? ›- Give yourself time to grieve. ...
- Don't dwell on the past. ...
- Get rid of negative self-talk. ...
- Focus on your strengths. ...
- Start small. ...
- Be patient with yourself. ...
- See it as a learning experience. ...
- Rediscover Who You Are.
- Identify exactly what you want. ...
- Change your mindset about success. ...
- Rewire your input. ...
- Being at the bottom is the best place to start. ...
- Take your eyes off yourself.
- Take Accountability. The first thing you need to do when you mess up is take accountability for your actions. ...
- Apologize. ...
- Forgive. ...
- Accept It. ...
- Share. ...
- Be Gentle and Patient. ...
- Stay Present and Keep Moving. ...
- Learn.
Psalms 91:15 In-Context
14 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. 15 Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly.
Where in the Bible does it say everything is meaningless? ›“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”
What God says about hard times? ›Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” A powerful verse, Psalm 55:22 touches on how you don't have to go it alone when times are tough. Instead, turn to the Lord who will 'sustain' you and help you get through it.
Does the Bible say God will never give you more than you can handle? ›
“God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB).
When you put your problems in God's hands? ›When we put our problems in the hands of God, he is going to put the peace into our hearts. Yes, that's true! God is there to help us pass through all the obstacles. We may have to face a lot of hardships in our lives, but God is the only one who stays up all the time to help us walk through all those odds.
What does the Bible say about is there anything too hard for God? ›And seeing him in his puzzlement God asked, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" - Genesis 18:14 Later, Jeremiah gives the answer: "There is nothing too hard for thee." So I say to you, God's power is limitless, and thus His promises are providentially secure, therefore, there is no promise too hard for His to keep.
What does the Bible say about unclean thoughts? ›' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man `unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him `unclean. '"
Do not worry about anything but in all things? ›4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
What does the Bible say about worry about nothing? ›“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 6-7, NKJV).
What did Solomon say at the end of his life? ›In the end, he says, all of those hopes and goals are nothing more than smoke. They do not last.
Is anything hidden from God? ›The Bible says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).