Does God Really Care about Me? - Encouragement for Today - September 15, 2016
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September 15, 2016
Does God Really Care About Me? |
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Psalm 61:1-4 (NIV)
Do you ever feel lonely?
A few years ago, I was at an event full of people. Everyone else seemed to effortlessly connect with others. I just felt out of sorts.
Someone had said something earlier that day that hurt my feelings and knocked me off-kilter. It was one of those, “I would really like to be at home alone, in a bubble bath, eating something chocolate” kind of nights. But I had to go to this outing, so here I was — feeling lonely.
My shifting emotions caused me to get in such a down state, I even started wondering if God cared about me.
I politely smiled my way through the evening, and finally got to go home. As I crawled into bed that night, I prayed and asked Jesus, “Why am I letting some thoughtless comment made by someone affect me like this?”
There was no deep explanation. There was no Bible verse that instantly popped into my head. There was no sudden rush of peace through my heart. Only a very gentle reminder deep in my soul that Jesus loves me — insecurities and all.
Jesus loves me, that simple little song I learned all those years ago. Very simple, yet so powerfully profound, that one statement grounds me in the truth of who God says I am.
Friends can’t make you feel accepted all the time. Accomplishments will never truly make you feel secure. Having lots of people around you does not mean you won’t ever feel lonely. And chocolate, while it is deliciously distracting, is just a littletoo temporary.
No person or thing can fix from the outside a perspective that needs rewiring on the inside. Only the Lord can do that.
So, I turn to the One who is Everlasting, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel — God with us. I draw close to Him so He can separate solid truth from shifting emotions.
See if you can identify with any of the shifting emotions listed below. Then, rejoice as you read God’s solid truths for a firm place to stand and a sure place to park your feelings.
Shifting Emotion:
I don’t always feel noticed by other people. Everyone just seems wrapped up in their own lives. Sometimes I even wonder if God notices me.
Solid Truth:
God not only notices us, He is with us at all times. We are to keep ourselves in God’s love, whether we feel Him or not. By praying and filling our minds with God’s truth, His love will grow in us and through us. Then we won’t be so consumed with wanting others to notice us. We will become people who notice others and let God’s love shine on them. Jude 1:20-21, “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (NIV).
Shifting Emotion:
I don’t feel very loved. Therefore, I don’t feel like being very loving toward others.
Solid Truth:
We are dearly loved by God. His love enables us to display compassion, kindness and patience even when we don’t feel like it. Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (NIV).
Shifting Emotion:
Does God really care about this situation I’m in?
Solid Truth:
God is with us. As we cry out to Him, we are reminded of His help. Psalm 61:1-4, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”
As I finish reading these truths, my heart feels so much more secure. It’s a feeling I want to soak in every day as I remind myself that I am truly, wholly and forever loved.
Dear Lord, Help me rid my mind and heart of the doubts that shifting emotions cause and be filled with only Your solid truths. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (NIV)
RELATED RESOURCES:
When we allow the enemy to whisper lies in our times of rejection, he pickpockets our purpose. Cripples our courage. And blinds us to the beauty of Christ’s powerful love. With Lysa TerKeurst’s six-session Uninvited Bible study you will explore the roots of rejection, the lies we believe as a result and the truth about what it looks like to live loved. Find out more information here.
Are the rejections of your past affecting you today? Take this free assessment today to find out.
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What are some other verses that specifically apply to areas of struggle for you right now? How might it help to keep these verses close at hand — and reflect on them often?
© 2016 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
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