I thought God had given up on me

[expand title=” Title: I thought God had given up on me”]

“…though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” – Psalms 23:4

Have you ever felt God is far away? Like He’s not listening to your prayers or He seems to care? Sometimes we feel justifiably bitter in such circumstances like Joseph, “I don’t deserve this or I did nothing wrong”. You might blame others for what is going on or what went wrong, “if you had been here my brother wouldn’t have died” (John 11:21)

The truth is the valley is not your permanent residence, it is just a passing phase, “we walk through the valley of the shadow of death” we don’t reside there, surely there is an end (Proverbs 23:18). I found through experience that nothing gets you closer to God than challenges. You will learn to develop your spiritual muscles a lot quicker when pass through challenging times. You learn to wait on the Lord through fasting and prayers without being told to do so, holding unto God unchanging word more firmly. The God of the mountain is also the God of the valley; therefore we must exercise our faith to keep moving in the right direction with God.

Do not adopt the self-pity attitude, “why we me or poor old me” or blame someone for your woes. Sometimes we might blame God for our woes, the enemy turns us against our greatest ally (Exodus 5:22 -23). Or use our past experiences or knowledge as a hindrance to our faith in face of adversity. It is good to remember that Jesus didn’t perform the same miracle using the same method.

If you spend your time wishing things were different, you might get around to doing those things God wants you to do or miss out on important lessons. Until your faith is tested, it cannot be trusted. Uproot the roots of bitterness from your heart, it blinds you from seeing good when it’s coming, David said “I said in my heart all men are liars” (Ps 116:10 -11), among the men who he called liars was his destiny helper.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you…” – James 4:8

If you have ever felt God is far away, guess who moved away? He is our ever present help in the time of need. Don’t be afraid to tell God that you need His help (Hebrews 4:16), acknowledge your weaknesses before Him, and then ask Him the strength to go beyond the present point. On many occasions, the only way for God to get us out of our comfort zone, is to our allow us to pass to challenges. We have this assurance,

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. – Isaiah 43:2

When you begin to listen to your fears it distorts your perspective of reality. Do not allow the joy of your salvation to fade (John 10:10). Take time in prayer and listen to God’s word for encouragement, look for scripture that agrees with your belief, stand on unchanging words of the lord, knowing your victory is assured. Remember until your faith is tested, it cannot be trusted. When you have passed, He will surely promote you.

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