This Christmas is different. It’s been a hard year in many ways that I can’t publicly share. You probably understand. You’ve suffered through hard circumstances too. You have cried. You have laid awake at night and wondered when God would…
- …heal your heart and your relationship(s);
- …take away your anxiety;
- …solve the problems that plague you;
- …give you answers;
- …calm your soul; and
- …dry your tears.
If you’re like me, you may wonder if Jesus really “gets it” about your pain.
Sometimes it is really hard for me to imagine that Jesus really DOES get it. As I sit here having my quiet time and trying to type through the tears that are blurring the words on the screen, my soul cries out to God:
“Help me, I’m drowning. My heart hurts. I don’t see a way out of this! With all the pressures I’m facing, I don’t see a way to EVEN—do YOUR work right now!”
I despair as my pain seeks to alienate me from my connection with God and make me feel like an abandoned orphan. My brain says I am not alone—but my heart can’t seem to hear. But then—through the unbroken connection that my born again soul and spirit have with God—He speaks through the pain. You see, right now I am too confused and tired to even figure out WHERE to read in His Word to find encouragement BUT—because His Word has been MEMORIZED and hidden in my heart. It is being spoken back to me through His Spirit. In quiet desperation, I ask,
“Please draw me back into Your presence.”
He answers—
“I never left; rather, I am all around you—stop focusing on your circumstances and give them ALL to Me. My dear, I am in the yoke with you bearing your burdens.”
Of course, He is right. I confess taking my eyes off of HIM. I ask Him to help me put on His armor. He quietly straps on the night vision goggles which awakens my spirit and helps me see HIS PERSPECTIVE on my circumstances. I begin to feel like Elisha’s servant who had his eyes opened, and no longer saw the enemy as a threat because “the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17 God filled me with the vision and peace of His Almighty presence.
You see, Jesus DOES understand where I am.
He understands where you are, too. He has been where we are! He IS here. The Bible reminds us:
For we do NOT have a High Priest [Jesus] who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in ALL POINTS [or ways] tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come BOLDLY to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16
God does NOT lose track of His children; we are priceless to Him:
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31 NKJV
God WILL empower us—even when we are so weak that we don’t have the strength to ask for help:
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
Psalms 37:23-25 NKJV
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O Lord—how long? Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!
Psalms 6:2-4 NKJV
My friend If your circumstances are taking your focus off of God’s presence—refocus! You don’t want to miss the miracles He wants to work in your life! God has a plan to lead and guide you—whether the sun is shining on you, or you are walking through blizzards. The storms will come—you can count on it. But it’s nothing God doesn’t know about. Jesus went through hell so we wouldn’t have to—now or for eternity. His gift of salvation awakens our soul to our greatest hope. When we are born again, and are PASSIONATELY and DAILY, seeking to know Him and to live in His presence we see God all around us.
God’s presence is our greatest need.
When we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind—He turns our difficult circumstances into—our greatest adventures.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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10 Responses
God is our defender and protector. He can defend us better than we can defend ourselves .
Amen—He sure is!
You hit it, right on target.
I do my Daily Praying and some more. Glad your Email caught my eye .
I will follow you, you count on me Kim
Anime to the prayer warriors!!!
I must share this with my love ones thank you
God is on the move!!!!
Thank you, for the message this morning I truly needed tó know all that I read. I love words that I read in isaiah 41;10 I must share this with a friend that is going through something. I’m sure it’s going to be a blessing for her. thank you again in Jesus name Amen☺️🙏🙏🙏🙏
In Jesus blessed name, Amen!
Kimberly Faith,
Thank you for bearing your soul. I, too, am suffering through hard circumstances: My wife and I are aging, our children have walked away from God, our youngest son is in prison (SCCC – Licking, MO). We just visited his estranged wife, our Granddaughter, and our Great Granddaughter in Kansas City. Our Granddaughter (his Daughter) is suffering great mental anguish and, at first, did not even want to talk to us. *The fact that we brought Christmas gifts is the only thing that enticed her to spend time with us! While there is much that I’m not sharing – you can see how this can make us feel . . . but, the reality is: Jesus suffered so much more and still loved everyone so much that he temporarily abdicated His throne to provide for us. I am reminded that I need to keep my eyes upon Him – the Lifter of my head (Ps. 3:3). God Bless you and thanks for the daily blessings.
Wow—thank you for sharing your deep waters with us…praying for your family now. Praise God for His almighty heart for us!