Disheartened

I must admit that there have been many times when I’m disheartened or discouraged. I feel like I was shaken to my core when bad things happened and there were circumstances beyond my control that brought fear and doubt. I found it hard to pray. I found it hard to talk to God, except to express my anger and frustration with Him regarding these circumstances. He is so patient and kind. The God that I used to believe in would have wiped me out. I used to be so afraid of God that I didn’t let Him inside the doorway of my life. I kept Him at a distance until I realized that wasn’t what He wanted at all.  I believe that the Lord can help me in my discouragement and struggle because He wired me to “feel” those emotions. He wants to walk with me through discouragement and struggle, because I learn more about Him and I learn more about me. Check this out….

¹⁶ Who will protect me from the wicked?
    Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
¹⁷ Unless the Lord had helped me,
    I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.
¹⁸ I cried out, “I am slipping!”
    but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
¹⁹ When doubts filled my mind,
    your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. (Psalm 94:16-19 NLT)

The Lord does not run from me when I doubt. He runs to me. He reveals more of Himself to me. His Presence is near, even when I doubt. My doubt does not change of diminish His Presence and His Power one little bit. I think He comes closer when I admit my doubt and discouragement, because that is honest and real. He can work with honesty and realty better than fake and “plastic” people.

My doubt and discouragement over the years has become less and less prominent as I spend time with Him in His Word. He has given clarity to my questions and removed nearly all my doubts. He has renewed my faith and deepened my faith. I have walked with Him through some very trying and difficult struggles. His Presence was a “game-changer” for sure. He didn’t leave when I was angry. He didn’t run when I “called Him out”. He is not afraid of my questions. He is not worried when I doubt or become discouraged. He is patient with Hope. He is present with such patience. His love is relentless and quite reckless and I’m so thankful to be a recipient of His love.

Pressing On!

Dwayne