In Other Words

"Wherever you are spiritually whatever you have been through emotionally, you are already wrapped in the Lord's embrace. Held close by nail-scarred hands."
~ Liz Curtis Higgs~

My head knows this is true. My knowledge of Scripture confirms it. Godly people I respect and admire concur. It is pretty and appealing, causing me to imagine a compassionate Father holding me in His lap as I weep. It's a beautiful picture of love, one I desperately want to grasp.

But. . .sometimes I just don't feel it.

In the dark I plead, "Lord, where are You? Why? Why are we doing this? Where did I mess up?" I second guess myself. I second guess my God. Some days His path does not seem worth the pain. I ask Him to show up in a big way and the day goes on as usual. I pray for His comfort and still I cry into my pillow. If He is really there in the tough times when my faith is weak and my emotions raw, why can't I feel Him?

Though I don't feel His embrace, it is still there. "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. . ." (Isaiah 40:11)

Though it may take me a few days or weeks or months or years to work through the present crisis, He is near, holding on tight. "The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

Though I can't physically feel His hand on my head imparting His blessing, it rests there nonetheless. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11)

Though I can't see my way out of the dark, He will see me through. "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." (Psalm 34:17)

These promises are not idle words, they are HIS word. They are TRUTH, whether we feel it or not.

Therein lies real faith, real, enduring, steadfast faith--believing when we cannot see, believing when we cannot feel. This is what separates the men from the boys, (the women from the girls?), the faithful from the faithless. Trusting when we can't feel His presence puts our faith in the big leagues. I may not feel, but I can know and knowing His Truth provides stability in the darkest of days. May we embrace the times we can't feel Him as an opportunity to show God how serious we are. May we rest in Truth.

Thanks to Iris for hosting this week's "In Other Words". Check out some other takes on this quote by visiting her at Sting My Heart.