God is Close
In the Bible we see people rejoicing and lamenting, sometimes in the same moment.
Crying out and praising.
Complaining and giving thanks.
Resting and worrying.
Jonah, Moses, Job, Paul, Martha, David, Elijah. Each one of them shows us what it’s like to bring our authentic self to Christ. In our not-yet-healed-world, we are to live in the tension of heartache and healing, longing and hope.
But what does this look like?
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who watch over my way…
I cry to you, Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
PSALM 142 1:3,5
It looks messy, and honest, and vulnerable.
In these moments, I find myself not just crying out for God to show up. I cry out and remind myself that God is my portion, God will show up. He been there for me before, I know He will be there for me today.
Speak truth against the lies that say, “you’re on your own.”
God has you. He is your refuge. He is watching over you. He is close.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4
In this passage Paul doesn’t promise that God will swoop in and rescue us immediately (though that sounds wonderful). Our Creator doesn’t offer a cheat code so we can fast forward through the tough seasons of life. Instead, Scripture promises that God is there with us, comforting us in all our troubles.
When you’re in the middle of the trouble, keep your eyes on Jesus. Reach out, cry out, follow Him through the trouble.
Pray.
If you don’t have the words, trying praying the Psalms. Invite the very Spirit of God to be front and center in your life. And pay attention to the people God has placed in your life – friends, family, a pastor, a Christian counselor – find people who will remind you that you’re not alone and will keep pointing you back to Jesus.
Bring all of yourself to God – your worries, your dreams, your highs, your lows, your tears, your praise.
He can carry it all.
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
MATTHEW 11:28
