Have you ever been in a really difficult time, and felt like God wasn’t there? Like you were praying hard for a miracle in an impossible situation, but God wasn’t showing up? Our emotions can often make us feel like we’re alone. Our situations can be such great mountains that all we can see is the problem. And when we feel abandoned and alone, we can turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to try and help ourselves get through. Whether it’s self-harm, alcohol, food, or something else, we can try and find things we think will help us survive the storm we’re facing. But the truth is we’re never alone. Even when it feels like He’s vanished, He’s still there. How do we know? The Bible tells us so many times. Here’s just a few examples: ‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20 NIV); ‘If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there’ (Psalm 139:8 NIV); ‘Do not fear, for I am with you’ (Isaiah 41:10 NIV); ‘Do not be afraid…for the Lord your God goes with you’ (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV). The more we remind ourselves of the fact that God’s with us, the more we’ll believe it rather than doubting Him. And when He calls us to do something that makes us afraid, we can step into it knowing that every step we take, God is alongside us. That truth should motivate us to go anywhere He tells us to go, and encourage us to keep moving forwards during the tough times.

What Now?

Pick one of the verses in the reading about God never leaving you. Try and memorise it, then repeat it to yourself when you need a reminder that you’re not alone.