Mom Heart Moments #195

“Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the LORD of hosts?’”

SO MANY TIMES, feelings of fear or desperation or despair blew over my heart and soul. Often worry would strangle my heart, making it difficult to breathe in the reality of His freedom and grace. Too many children, too many bills, difficult relationships, an insurmountable workload, unanswered questions, and unanswered prayer often felt like too much for me to bear.

Feeling as though my “labor was in vain,” or that God had forgotten me, I had to push through the darkness to sit still and picture Him as I read about Him. And then, in spite of my feelings, I would timidly offer Him my love gift: “I believe You, even though I can’t see You right now. I want to thank You that darkness is not dark to You, but You are with me, working on these problems, loving me, and taking care of my worries, even though I can’t imagine how. I love You, God. I have faith in Your faithfulness.”

As I look back now, I can see that God usually had bigger purposes than just meeting the demands of my immediate prayers. He was building character, forming hearts, leading in a new direction, protecting me from my own temporal idol of the “quick fix,” which would leave me empty. As a matter of fact, when I see where I am and where my children are now, I often think He was doing far more than I even asked Him.

Are you like me, sometimes doubting God’s care for you when things go wrong or life proves difficult? It helps to remind myself of ways He has met my needs in the past. Determine to believe God’s Word about His love and care for you. Don’t let your heart be arrogant.