Through the storms of life.
Through the winds and rains.
Through the confusion and strife.
Through the floods of pain.
Through the stripping away of all that you knew.
You’re left wondering what to do.
It almost feels like it’s more than you can bear.
But know it’s not, because despite, what it looks like,
God is still there.
Like David in Psalms 22:1, you wonder “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” But, I want to encourage you, that despite the chaotic sounds of the happenings around you that can make it quite difficult to hear that still small voice which indicates the presence of The Lord, He is still there. Whether it was a literal storm, the whirlwind battle with illness, a bitter cold fall out with a partner or family member, God is there. According to Psalm 139:7,9 MSG “Is there any place I can go to avoid Your Spirit? to be out of Your sight? If I climb to the sky, You’re there! If I go underground, You’re there!” Beloved, there’s no getting away from Him! You are not alone! God is there!
Yes, you’re tired. Tired of feeling abandoned. Tired of feeling too helpless to do what needs to be done. Tired of being misunderstood. This, however, is the very time to forget and forgive the people who disappointed you, never give up on life, but instead look up to God. So, I’d like to offer you a few tips on looking up to God, a little differently than how you may have been doing so up to now. You may have been crying out to Him, and not hearing Him, but here’s the thing… you haven’t been able to hear Him through the screams of fear, nor see Him through the streams of tears. Yet, God is there. And, once you receive His peace that only He can give, quieting the storms within you, He will L.I.F.T. you up. The first thing you can do is allow yourself to…
Let it All Out
Yes, He already knows everything about you, how you feel, what you think, and the words you will say before they cross your lips. Regardless of Him knowing everything, just let it out. Know that because He knows everything that He already has the comfort, healing, strategies, and solutions you need in your situation. All of the things that He will reveal to you in due time. Express your hurt & pain, the raw vulnerable sensitivities of your heart. Respectfully let Him know what you’re feeling. Tell Him why you think you feel it. Ask Him for what you think you need. Let the pressure that’s building within you out in that safe place with just you and Him. He wants to hear you, so God is there. And, then you’ll be relieved to rest quietly in His presence as you…
Invite Him Near
James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you…” Beloved, it’s ok to admit to God that you need Him. There’s nothing wrong with asking Him to come near, not just to solve your situation, but to help you to feel His presence. Now, you may be wondering that if He’s really already there, why do you have to ask Him to come near? Because God is like a watchful parent, who watches their children when they aren’t even noticing. The children are off doing their own thing, and have yet to take a break to talk to The Father. Sometimes we can look and see that our parent is at the window looking out at us, but we are either too far or too distracted by the noise of what we are immersed in, to hear what the parent has to say. Drawing closer to Him will help you to experience God’s presence that you know is there, but can’t seem to currently feel.
A time may come when you have no idea what to say to “let it all out.” That’s ok too. For Romans 8:26,27 reminds us that “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.” This is a blessed benefit of being in the presence of God. That even when you have no idea what to say, maybe you have no idea why you feel the way you do, the Holy Spirit can stand in the gap for you until you reach a new level of clarity in your heart. He will give you strength and strategy; restoration and resolution; and empowerment for endurance. Ask Him to let you experience His presence, since God is there. It also helps to bless The Lord at all times, including the tough ones, when you…
Fascinate in His Glory
Circumstances good and bad, come and go. They change with the shifting winds. They are up and then down. They are stable and then chaotic. God, on the other hand, is a steady Rock. James 1:17 tells us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.” The presence of God is a gift that embodies gifts! And, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What this means is that despite the bitterness of our experiences, it’s possible to still praise the sweetness of The Lord; acknowledging Him for who He is, what He’s done, and what He can do. Because what you go through doesn’t and can’t change how wonderful and awesome the keeper of our souls truly is. Seeds are planted to reap a harvest of joy when you proclaim His name to others, but this is also so when no one else is around to give you renown. Thank Him for being with you, because God is there. Because when you truly worship The Lord, it’s never in what have you done for me lately, but it’s simply trusting in Him with sincere acts to…
Trace His Goodness
There’s a popular phrase that says “Trust God when you can’t trace Him.” I would like to give you a shift in perspective, however, that will help you to always trace Him. To trace someone is, not just to follow where they are going, but to also see where they have been. Beloved, God has left an impeccably impressive trail of His good works that He’s done for others! Many in His Word, The Bible, but also in the testimonies of some others around you. Many will be in the past. Some may be recent things God’s doing for others. They can remind you of how good and faithful God is, and not just for them, but for you too! Remember His faithfulness, because God is there.
Whatever it is you are going through. Whatever has you feeling let down. God can L.I.F.T. you up. Let it all out, bearing your heart to Him. Invite Him near and His presence will calm your fears, and incrementally turn your sorrows into Joyful tears. Fascinate in His Glory with praise and worship, because God is good all the time and all the time God is good. And, you will see this as you continually Trace His Goodness. The more you do this, beloved, the more you’ll begin to recognize and experience His hand of favor upon your life, even during trials. The more you will trust Him. The more you will realize that He is true and faithful to His Word where He says in Hebrews 13:5, “…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Then you will be able to say, as stated in Hebrews 13:6 “…with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid…” Because, you are not alone, beloved! God is there!
May The Father, who loves you more than you can ever imagine, help you to sense His love that is so high and so wide around you. May you embrace within your heart that His love is a love that “… neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate [you] from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38,39) I pray that The Lord gives you His peace that surpasses all understanding, and will guard your heart and mind in Jesus so that you will gain and maintain a mind and heart of Christ no matter the happenings around you, helping you to overcome every challenge in your path. May He LIFT you up in the lightness of His Spirit, inspiring you to say on each new day in which His mercies are new, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” (Psalm 23:6)
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Love You to Life!
Lukeisha Carr
LuKeisha Carr Ministries International, Inc.
