So many times in our lives, we either have really bad days or really great days. In really bad times we are challenged with worries, doubt, fear, anxiety, sadness, and so many other negative emotions. We have people who seem to be out to cause us harm. We have things in our hearts that we think only we feel and know. We sit in a space of wondering if God hears our prayers, especially when prayers don’t appear answered. It can feel as if our faith gets put to the test consistently. We feel lost and alone.

On the really great days, it feels as if everything is going just right. Maybe we got the job or a raise, had good test results, were appreciated by others, met our goal weight, were apologized to or forgiven by someone we were at odds with…success feels good and it feels as though we have the world in the palm of our hand.

Whether it is in good times or bad, it is imperative we understand that God is right there with us. He has heard your prayer. He has seen your struggle. He knows your innermost thoughts and true feelings. And most importantly, he wants to hear from you.

We often forget to talk with God. To praise God. To acknowledge God. Psalm 138-141 has reminded me of all the ways God is present, available, and active in my life. It is such a great reminder that God is all around me and knows me – everything about me.

You know, humans get so scared sometimes to take the next step forward – whatever that step is – and move into the life God has for us. We often forget that we are not in this alone. When we invite God into our lives and acknowledge all he is and all he does, we can gain the comfort of knowing we do not hold the world in the palm of our hand…..He does. And for me, that builds my confidence to do the next right thing. It builds my resolve to keep my eyes fixed on the one true God who will not ever fail me.

When we don’t feel good about ourselves or our situations, look to the Creator. He sees you. He knows you. He made you. He loves you. And I praise Him for you and who you are and I pray that you never forget just how much you matter to Him.

Questions for reflection:

  1. When was a time that you felt God was nowhere to be found?
  2. Did you take time to invite God into your situation and acknowledge that he has always been there?
  3. Read Psalm 138-141. What spoke to you the most? What part of it do you need to keep in front of you today?