Hello, God… Are You There?

Foreclosures, layoffs, businesses closing everywhere you look, bills keep right on coming, and now with Christmas just around the corner, it’s easy to let your mind become a swirling vortex of worries. If you’re facing hard times right now, you may be wondering why God is putting you through all of this.

Times are tough for a lot of us, and right now, the hardest thing to do is remember that God has only what’s best for us in mind (Jeremiah 29:11).

What always makes everything seem even worse is when we compare ourselves to other people because those people always seem to have more, they seem to be happier, they seem to make more money, they seem to be better looking. But the most aggravating thing of all is that every time we look, they have what we want. Ahhhhhh!!!

But the biggest problem with wanting something that others have is that we’re being covetous when we’re doing it; when we’re covetous, or envious of someone else, we’re breaking the tenth commandment.

And, when can’t be satisfied with what God is providing us, we’re telling Him that we think He’s not doing a good enough job. (Of course, none of us is big and bad enough to tell Him that to His face; but we sometimes say it loud and clear in other ways!)

But God, knowing what circumstances would push us closer to Him, decided where and when we would be born, and under what circumstances that we would live our lives (Acts 17:25-27). So with that, we need to be thankful that God took the time to orchestrate every minute of our lives for us. We don’t have to worry about anything because God’s got it all under control.

Listen, I’ve been through some hard times myself and God has never let me do without. Nor has He let anyone I know do without. Sure, at the time, I thought I was lacking something I needed, but I learned that I didn’t have to drive the best car, be the best dressed, or live in the biggest house to have what I needed. What I needed was provided abundantly, all I needed to do was be thankful and content with what I had.

Remember: Though you can’t see Him—and He seems farther away when you’re trying to navigate the kinks in the road—He is always with you. He is with you no matter where you are, no matter what you are going through, no matter what you will go through.

Sure, you can go to Him and tell Him all about your worries—He is your dad, after all. After that, treat yourself by letting those worries go, knowing that God will take care of everything for you. And never worry: He will spread His wings so you and your loved ones will have the refuge you’re seeking. All you have to do is allow Him to wrap you in His cloak and keep you warm and safe, and then bask in the love and attention that God longs to shower upon you, His child.