- How do I remain at rest in God’s love when I can’t feel it nor sense it?
- What do I do when I’m afraid — is He even there?
- How do I keep my faith and trust in God when things don’t seem to be going my way?
Fortunately, we have the Word of God to use as an anchor and grounding device when these types of questions come up. The Bible is unequivocally, undeniably, and undoubtedly, absolute truth. It is a plumb line we can always use to measure everything else.
So with this certainty established, let’s look at some of these questions.
The Word tells me God loves me no matter what. That there’s nothing I can do or say (or not do or not say) that would make Him stop loving me. (Rom. 8:38,39) It’s not about what we can or cannot feel, it’s simply an unchangeable fact. Just as I am my father’s daughter, nothing can ever change that; he was part of my conception. Even in death (my father’s) I’m still his daughter. So no matter what the circumstance or situation, nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Psalm 56 is a great chapter about fear and trust. The psalmist brings out many fears he’s feeling and how God so sees all the tears we shed He puts them in a bottle. (vs.8) Father is very aware of what we’re going through and wants to comfort us in the midst of these fears.
Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that He will never leave us or forsake us. And look at the context before that:
“Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.”
I can be content. I don’t have to worry about anything — not about money, food, my job, my kids, nothing. (Luke 12:27-31) Not that money is going to fall from the sky or a job is going to magically appear for me if I
choose to not look for one, but it’s a matter of me doing what I know to do in the natural, and trust Him for guidance and direction. Father God will take care of me. This is true because the Word says so, not because I feel like He will, but because the Word is Truth. Emotions change and can lie; His Word cannot.
And when things aren’t going my way? Father’s love is still there. I have to choose to not lean on my own understanding (Prov. 3:5) but believe and trust in His care. It’s a choice. He hasn’t forgotten about me. In fact, the Word says He’s graven (carved) us on the palms of His hands. (Isa. 49:16) I’m that close to Him at all times.
David, the Psalmist, was very close to God, and I think one of the reasons why was because he asked a lot of these same questions. He expressed his fears and doubts to the Lord, being totally honest and straightforward with Him. And in the Word we can see where God answered him and comforted him. This vulnerability brought him closer to the Lord.
This is the same relationship that Father God wants with us. So go ahead and ask Him whatever questions you have. Express all your worries and concerns. Then get in the Word. Maybe use a Bible promise book to help. Take some time to be in the Scriptures and let them ground you and be a foundation in times of instability. (Matt.7:24) Lord knows we all have doubts, frustrations, and questions throughout life, so it’s comforting to be established in His unchanging Word.