Can you identify with being in a place where your situation attempts to “drown” out the voice of God?
Tough situations can begin our slow fade.
In those moments of overwhelm, change, sadness, disappointment, or loss we can lose sight of God and the hope we have in Him.
I have been reminded afresh how horrible it is to live with a lack of hope.
How do we as Christians with the hope of Christ in us, get stuck in blah basement living when we are meant for so much more?
Here is what I was reminded of and what has helped me tremendously:
First, I need to ask myself, " What are you focused on?"
See when I am focused on how “heavy I feel” because of the negative realities that do exist… my attention is on those things. And sadly, but naturally that is when my heart loses hope and I feel surrounded by the issues and not covered by the presence of God.
Recently, when I found myself in that situation, this is what I knew to do:
1. I recognized that my focus had changed off of God and onto my circumstances. This had caused me to lose hope immediately because when we lose sight of God, we immediately think WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING to change the circumstances. We start to “strive” in our own strength. This is a hope and peace killer.
2. This recognition allowed me to realize the slow fade that had taken place and that I deeply desired His closeness. I knew I had to repent when I recognized that I had turned away from focusing on God and His goodness to focusing on my situations.
I repented for “trying” to do what I should have been trusting God to do. I was not trusting that He would lead me in the way that He wants me to go! Thank God, repentance does bring us back into His presence.
3. I then released my real-life issues that had been weighing me down and placed them into God’s hands. I trusted that in His hands was the best place for them to be.
4. I acted on my need for more of Him. I knew His presence was what I was missing, and I deeply desired to fill up with Him. I needed to come back to my first love.
I renewed my plan to focus on meeting and filling up with God as I read my Bible, prayed, and worshiped Him. It is in that focused one-on-one time I can be restored by waiting on Him, being in His presence, and hearing His voice once again. I enjoy capturing our moments together by writing down the highlights of our meetings. It may be a scripture that jumped out to me, something God has prompted on my heart, or a truth that I want to remember. These things draw me closer to His heart.
Here is a scripture that spoke to me in this time. I hope it helps you also, friend.
Psalm 31:14-16 (NIV)
But I trust in You, O God;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.
Let Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your unfailing love.
What a good reminder that God is faithful, and we can trust Him with our lives. Let’s look to Jesus and allow His goodness, love, and grace to transform and guide us as we enjoy our walk with Him.
Remembering to keep Jesus in focus,
Dawn