Reading Through my Journal

[She] told me that she tries to turn to God, but when things get rough, it’s hard- it feels like God has turned His back.

I replied that I know how that feels, but when God does not feel near [it] is when it is especially important to just pray. Sometimes, you need to ignore those feelings and not rely on them because feelings are not always accurate. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.”

When things get rough, it can be dangerous to rely on feelings, so with every ounce you MUST have faith. Pray, even if you feel as if you are praying to nobody-because God is there, and He IS listening. Maybe He has just taken a step back to make sure you really trust Him, or maybe He is teaching something. Regardless, God’s love is eternal and unconditional. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He does NOT change with the seasons; His love does not change based on feelings.

“For it is by Grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God so that no one can boast.” You did nothing to earn salvation, nor can you do anything to take it away.

“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose…What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?…Who can separate us from the love of Christ Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from he love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I’ve gone through many times where I don’t bother praying because I don’t feel God, but I’ve learned, and I am still learning that feelings are not trustworthy, and when it comes to this, there are no solid 100% scientific facts to prove that God exists and the Bible is true, but that just means you need to have faith.

This is what my Bible says about faith:

“Hebrews 11:

What is True Faith?: Even the Giants of Faith face Disappointment.

11:39-‘These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.’

Reading between the lines tells us a lot about the original readers of the book of Hebrews. Converting to Christ has brought much abuse…As the trials continue, however, some begin to loose heart.

The these discouraged people, Hebrews 11 presents a stirring reminder of true faith. It’s tempting to think of faith as a kind of magic formula…What are the signs of true faith?

…Life does not always follow a predictable patten of happy endings…

What is faith? And how can you be sure you’ve got it? The picture of faith that emerges here does not fit into a formula. Sometimes faith leads to victory and triumph. Sometimes it requires a gritty determination to hang on at any cost…Both rest on the belief that God is in ultimate control and will keep His promises-whether in this life or the next…

The faith described in Hebrews is not sugarcoated and does not guarantee a life of luxury and ease. It is a tough faith; a constant commitment to hang on and believe God is against all odds, no matter what.”

[Written Monday October 22, 2007]