Sometimes God gives us great experiences of Him. Every sentence of scripture is bursting with life and our prayers are vigorous and we feel very passionate for God.
Other times God takes away our spiritual feelings so that we learn to rely on His word and His promises more than feelings. William Gurnall says:
God in wisdom conceals the comforts he intends to give you at the various stages of your life, so that he may encourage your heart to full dependence on His promises now. (Voices From the Past, pg. 43)
Where does God have you right now?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I found C.J. Mahaneys message "The Troubled Soul: God's Word and our Feelings" to be something that God used to absolutely transform my life. The concept of following the Psalmist and "telling ourselves truth" is mind blowing. I have been pointing everyone I can to this message. If you are struggling with this sort of problem right now, this practice of obedience is mind-blowing and transforming. It's a *tough* battle for sure…
You can find the message (in mp3 format) here:
http://www.thisisnext.org/resources/
It's in the 2008 section.
Thanks for this link Ben. This is an awesome message. I need to listen to it again.
It does seem that more spiritual growth occurs during the difficult seasons of life than during the "mountaintop" experiences. You may not see it at the time, but as the seasons change, you realize the invaluable things that those difficult times have taught you, and the character they've built in you.
You're right. It seems like so often our growth gets accelerated through challenges. Great point!
Where does God have you right now?
A little of both… Lately, if God seems distant during my devotional times, and when I don’t have those “spiritual feelings” you spoke of, praying through a Psalm has been a comforting means of drawing near to God and bringing correction to my downcast soul.
Bob, praying through a Psalm is a great idea. How does it help your downcast soul?
Depends which Psalm, but God always uses something in there to redirect my downcast attitude, or self-pity, or fear/anxiety back toward him being my refuge, and hoping in him, praising him… It usually turns my self-focused prayers into God-focused prayers, which, in effect cures my wrong attitude.
For me right now i have been experiencing God's faithfulness and goodness in many areas… His protection and provision, even in the small things has helped me change my attitude towards things…
honestly, God has me in a season where I’ve just been overwhelmed with His kindness, blessing and answers to prayers that i’ve been praying for many years. and my faith has grown in a new and exciting way. I can look back on the past few years which consisted almost primarily of struggles and trials and I can see God’s faithfulness then, and yet see His hand of faithfulness leading me now too.
I hated those trials, I hated the struggle, but I wouldn’t change it for the world… I learned so much about God through those times that I know if He takes me into another season like that, He will be faithful. But man, its so nice to not be there today… Every day I seem to be overflowing with joy and with the truth that God has redeemed sinful me and desires to bless me!! thanks for the reminder, yet again!