How Struggling Brings Us to God’s Presence
By Sarah Frazer
“God is our refuge and energy, a really current assist in hassle.” – Psalm 46:1 (ESV)
There’s a second within the traditional e-book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis when two of the characters are confronted with devastating circumstances. Lewis describes it by saying, “I hope nobody who learn this e-book has been fairly as depressing as Susan and Lucy had been that night time; however you probably have been – for those who’ve been up all night time and cried until you don’t have any extra tears left in you – you’ll know that there comes ultimately a kind of quietness. You are feeling as if nothing was ever going to occur once more.”
After I learn these phrases, I wept as a result of I, too, had been like these characters. I’d suffered by nights of such intense sorrow that I’ve felt my coronary heart would soften and my tears would drown me. In lots of circumstances, my tears ended up soaking my pillow to the purpose the place I’d have to show it over.
Whether or not you’re a Christian or not, we’ve all skilled some sort of struggling. For those who and I’d sit down collectively, throughout the desk possibly, with cups of tea or espresso, we might share in regards to the struggling every of us have confronted. Our presence collectively gives a way of shared grief that helps us.
Psalm 46 is a strong psalm that speaks about struggling. What I like about this psalm is the reply to our struggling is God’s presence. The very first verse talks about God being close to. It says that in all of our troubles, God is a “very current assist.” (ESV) The phrase current means each time and area.
God, who lives outdoors of time, entered into it at first of Genesis. “To start with, God…” Our mighty, superior, transcendent God entered into time for us. That phrase current additionally means area. God can also be bodily, spiritually, and emotionally near us. He’s close to us bodily! The Bible references God being close to to us a number of occasions. (Psalm 145:18, Psalm 34:18, Philippians 4:5-7, James 4:8)
After we discover ourselves struggling, we wish God to come back in and repair it. I do know I’ve prayed for illnesses to be cured, grief to be comforted, and miracles to happen within the hearts of the folks I like. God generally solutions sure, however generally God has a distinct plan than my plan.
The arduous reality is that this: life is full of struggling. As an alternative of specializing in how God doesn’t reply our prayers or how life doesn’t prove the way in which we had deliberate, God invitations us to a deeper, extra intimate relationship with Him. God attracts nearer to us in our struggling. He sits with us in our grief and sorrow.
Melancholy has been my companion for nearly fifteen years. On this struggling, I’ve discovered a deeper intimacy with God than ever earlier than. God has not answered my prayer to be free from sorrow and melancholy. As an alternative, He has given me one thing that’s so significantly better: His presence. In Psalm 46:7 we learn, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (EVS)
My struggling has revealed the true character of God, and it has change into the factor that brings me essentially the most pleasure in my life. On this verse, the psalmist says that God is a “Lord of Hosts.” This implies He’s in command of angel armies. This God, who’s omnipotent, is “with us.” In line with this verse. He’s shut. God can also be described to be the “God of Jacob.” This can be a private God who is aware of all about us. This God, who’s deeply private, is “our fortress.”
On this verse we see a private God who’s omnipotent. A strong God who’s extremely private. In God’s presence we discover out who He actually is. Over time of struggling I’ve seen that we have now a God who’s each good and all sovereign. When struggling threatens our religion, causes us to doubt, might we run again to God and His presence. It’s there we discover truths to consolation out hearts.
If you end up with sorrow and struggling too arduous to bear, run to God. He’s a gift, secure, and {powerful} God who is able to consolation you. Discover Him within the pages of the Bible.
Intersecting Religion & Life:
When struggling threatens your religion in God, how does realizing God’s presence is at all times with you consolation your coronary heart?
Additional Studying:
Philippians 4:5-7
Psalm 139:7-10
Isaiah 55:6
Psalm 145:18
Psalm 34:18
Photograph Credit score: ©iStock/Getty Photos Plus/spukkato
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