Hello? Is anyone out there? Anyone?
Inevitably, we all go through hard times. Most of the time when we go through these tough times, it's easy to lose touch and fall away from God. We proceed to then blame God for being absent in our time of need, when we needed Him the most. Maybe it's a physical or mental illness, unemployment, loneliness, betrayal, heartbreak, a financial crisis, or anything else.
I'm such an independent person that I never like to ask anyone for help or confide in anyone. I hardly ever want to "talk about it," even with God. With this trait I possess, these dark times away from God seem to happen a few more times than I would like to admit. Most Christians turn to prayer when something goes wrong and are comforted by God's presence through their dark times. By no means does He take away the darkness, but He can guide you out safely. I am constantly finding myself in this tunnel, looking for the light at the tunnel, refusing to ask for God's torch to lead the way.
What I am slowly starting to realize in college is that it's OK to feel distant from God, and it happens quite often for everyone. We must not feel guilty that we're not being a "good Christian." We must take these times of doubt and distance to then come closer to Him. With everything that I have gone through, I now know that He is always there.
Nobody will know how long this darkness will last, and it seems to get harder to trust God the longer you walk in darkness.
I can say that I am not proud that I turn from God when things get hard, but I know that the more I pray to Him and develop my relationship, the less tempted I will be to turn away. So to all of you out there who feel distant from God and who are asking, "Are you even hearing me?" Know that God is always there, and He hears you. Wait and relish in God's timing. And try with every part of your being to praise Him in whatever storm you may be in.
The other night I was reading in the Bible, and I came upon Psalm 40 verses 1-3. This passage really spoke to me!
"1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him."
This passage calls on us to trust in Him and His plan. I see this as a promise from Him that no matter what mess we are in wether it be mud, mire or slime. We must wait patiently for God to hear our cry, for everything is in His perfect timing. Now, it's easy to say this but hard to actually follow this. Trust in Him that he will turn your life around but not until you've learned and grown from this mud pit.
My favorite bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 and helps me whenever i'm in a time of need. Turn to God's word when everything else seems dark, he will guide you to the light always.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
