Pssssst…. hey you.

Yeah, you who’s been struggling. You who’s been going through something hard for a really long time now. You who feels like nobody can understand how you feel. You who has given so much. You who feels alone. You who feels betrayed. You who maybe feels confused and lost and tired. You who feels pressure to fix and figure things out all the time. Maybe you’re wondering, “did God forget me here?”

This post is for you, friend.

In case you forgot, here is a gentle reminder that your circumstances are not for nothing. Also, in case nobody has told you, it’s okay to feel the way you feel. Know that every tear, every hurt, every feeling you have is understood deeply by Jesus, because he has felt them too. How blessed are we that we have a God who is all-powerful and all-knowing, but who also understands our very human feelings and emotions on a personal level. You are free come to Him with all of these feelings without fear of feeling dumb or misunderstood.

I know sometimes it’s hard to come to Jesus when your heart feels so tired. But I want to encourage you in this–continue to pray, even in the mess of things. Even though God is perfect and holy, you don’t have to be perfect or talk perfectly to come before Him. In fact, when Jesus himself was going through the hardest times imaginable here on Earth, he cried out to God in prayer. When you can do nothing but fall to your knees, Jesus meets you there.

Let’s be real though… when we are going through it, sometimes we just don’t have the words to pray. But look at what Romans 8:26-27 says: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” When you don’t know what to pray, be comforted knowing that the Holy Spirit knows your heart and is praying for you and on behalf of you when you don’t have the strength.

Friend, you are seen by God. You are not alone in the fire. He went before you, leaving footprints for you to follow. He is behind you, watching your back and protecting you. And he walks beside you, meeting you right in the mess. I want to take a moment and remind you that even though you might be feeling hopeless or lost or confused–he is still faithful and good so you don’t have to be. His love, provision, faithfulness, and power do not depend on your abilities or your circumstances.

I need to tell you this: do not put God in a box! Remember what Ephesians 3:20-21 says: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” He is the God of immeasurably more. The God of faithfulness. The God of provision. The God who promised to never leave or forsake you. He is victorious over your circumstances.

So the ball is in your court: do you trust Him? Will you focus on your circumstances, or will you place your hope in Christ who will carry you through whatever may come? The bible says in Isaiah 40:29-31 that “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Now, this doesn’t mean that the hard times won’t come, because they definitely will. But it does mean that when they do come, you don’t have to do them alone. When they come, you can take the pressure off of yourself to figure things out and fix things, and instead, you can leave them at the foot of the cross–it was never your job to fix them anyway.

With love,

Sarah

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him–my father’s God, and will exalt him!” Exodus 15:2