For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. Psalm 22:24
I've known heartache. Personally and in relationships.
I've cried tears of desperation to God when I was longing for deliverance from the demons who plagued me from childhood. I've suffered incessantly from voices in my head screaming lies about who I was. I've endured physical and emotional pain as my first child passed through my body without life.
I cried out in a loud voice to God when a friend went through a divorce. I've pleaded with God on many occasions to deliver a youth from an unhealthy and dangerous relationship. I've asked God countless times to bring comfort to a brother or sister who suffered as a result of a misunderstanding whether I was involved or not.
In each of these situations hope was always there and in his time, God brought about peace, comfort and restoration. Because of these experiences and more I know that God will work again in the areas where my heartaches.
He will work in the life of my friend whose heart breaks daily for her child.
He will work in the lives of a precious family facing divorce.
He will work in the lives of our youth who need to know unconditional love.
He will work in my church to bring unity.
Because he hears my cries and he is faithful.
I can't think of a time when I didn't believe in God. There must have been a time, maybe as a young child, but for the most part I have always known that God was real and that he was with me. At times I didn't recognize his presence in my life but looking back I see that he was always present and acting on my behalf. At 16 I gave my life to Christ and for the past 11 years I have pressed on, slacked off, reached great heights and experienced crippling lows. This year especially has had some incredibly difficult trials but looking around at where I am now all I can say is, He has made everything beautiful in its time. At 16 I had no idea that the journey I was setting out on with Him as my guide, would be a rugged hike rather than a leisurely stroll. But I appreciate my God so much more for that. I'm so grateful that he has taken his time with me; perfecting me, pruning me, correcting me, purifying me and teaching me. The best part is that he's not finished with me yet and when I get to Heaven there will be no time limit on how long I get to be with Him, it will be for eternity.
Ecclesiastes 3:11a
"Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
Lord hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy." Psalm 130:1-2
I've been feeling distant from the Lord recently. Alone, tired and giving ear to the voice of the enemy saying that nothing will ever change. I've pulled away, hidden in my weakness, afraid for others to see. But I had a dream the other night where I was struggling with a demon, and he was stronger than me...
The enemy wants me to keep quiet. He wants to keep me silent. Because that will ensure his victory over my life and in the lives of others. So with the last of my strength I am reaching out to my God and my friends; fight with me, fight for me. The victory is mine, I know this, I've put my armor back on but the battle ahead is fierce. Fight with me. Fight for me.
