When you are under duress and need answers, it is as if you make a call to God, and it goes through, but there is silence. You ask, “Are you there?… Hello, hello, are you there? So, out of frustration, you hang up the phone!
The increasing presence of turbulent times may evoke in us the feeling that God is absent. Have you ever felt the presence of fear or the absence of God in a challenging situation? If you have, welcome to the club. We’ve all felt, at some point, that God is distant, especially when our backs are against the wall with no apparent place to turn. Nothing could be farther from the truth, for God promises in His Word that He is always with us.
There are times the Lord may give you an assignment that you are not familiar with, and fear grips your heart. From your point of view, it may seem impossible to achieve, but you realize that the Lord has put it upon your heart to accomplish the task. So, you humbly submit to asking for His help.
Sometimes the assignment may require you to go through several seasons of suffering or loss. People are watching and speculating whether you know what you are doing because it’s not in their realm of thought that God will order your steps. God had promised that He would be with you, and He is faithful. Your strength will come as you keep praising Him, regardless of what happens while you wait for the blessing!
In your inadequacies, the enemy (Satan) continually spreads fear among believers and non-believers, reminding them of past failures. There are times when people have made foolish decisions that led to their death and destruction because they were overcome by fear. He uses lies of unforgiveness and fear to convince you that God is far away or absent.
The fact of the matter is, the closer we get to the blessing, the greater the resistance from the doubters. You may hear them say, “You are doing it all wrong; when the other person did it, everything fell in place.”
While you are feeling faint of heart, the Lord is strengthening you. While you are crying out to Him, He is helping you. While you are ready to walk away, God is holding you in His right hand. You are His witness as you live with the expectation that He will show up!
Deuteronomy 31:8 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.
Please join us in celebrating Life at the Villages Community Chapel in Cribari Auditorium this Sunday at 10 a.m. to be encouraged over the Word of Life and enjoy coffee and cookies with friends. The chapel is a place where needs are met, faith is affirmed, and new friends are made. You can view our worship services on YouTube at www.villagescommunitychapel.vgcc.club