How long, O Lord, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save. Habakkuk 1:2 NASB
Reflect
We all go through seasons in the valley, the seasons where we feel that God is silent, but take heart, there is nothing new about God’s “silence” and we cannot base our faith on what we feel. Silence happens to us all, but what happens during these lonely seasons? How do we maintain our faith when we feel God isn’t responding?
First, we must remember the definition of faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” I would even stretch that to say that it is a holy confidence in things we don’t feel. Our authority, and our answer is always in the scriptures. What we don’t feel about God we seek in the scriptures. God says it, we trust it, and we grow.
Next, we remember that God is sovereign that these seasons are temporary, and they are for a reason. Difficulties can be beautiful when you remember that God never wastes a hurt. Everything in this life is temporary, including our struggles. When God seems silent, chase after Him harder, He will never forsake you.
Remember that you are never alone. There are countless examples in scripture of God’s mightiest warriors feeling forsaken. From Jesus (Matthew 27:46) t0 to David and his pains expressed in the Psalms, everyone experiences these seasons, and they always serve a purpose.
Finally remember that God hears you, God sees you, and God loves you. Sometimes, the distance between us and God is a result of disobedience. Sometimes, God is growing us in a way we cannot see right away. Our Father is always listening, even near to the broken hearted (Psalm 34:8). Keep on seeking, sisters, don’t get discouraged. God is always near, and His love never fails.
Pray
God I thank you that you are always near, even though I may not feel like you are all the time. I thank you that my salvation is not based on who I am or what I do, but on who You are. Be near to me in times of brokenness, and help me to constantly seek you daily. I love you Lord. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Your Turn
Do you feel like God doesn’t hear you? If you are feeling that way now, write a prayer to God, thank Him for His faithfulness, and meditate on Matthew 6:33 this week.
