When God Feels Gone

By Linda Grabeman

 

The world has been shocked, shaken, and saddened by recent unnecessary, deliberate deaths.

Yes, depression may have been a factor.

But the bottom line in suicide is this:

The LIES got too LOUD.                                     

God’s whisper got drowned out.

Here’s the thing: God’s whisper can be temporarily silenced in any of us.

We all love the 23rd Psalm, but we forget that the first line is “The Lord is MY Shepherd.”

Mine.

Loving ME.

Caring for ME.

Safeguarding ME.

We forget.

 

Did you know that sheep are mentioned more than any other animal in the Bible?

Sometimes we feel like sheep: defenseless, frightened, and in need of a shepherd.

This is what God offers us:

The Lord’s Psalm –                                                   

v. 1 – The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

v.2 – He makes me lie down in green pastures.

v.2b – He leads me by still waters.

v. 3 – He restores my soul.

 

 

 

Imagine what the world’s Psalm might be:

 

The World’s Psalm – 

v.1 – The CLOCK is my Dictator, and I’m disposable.

v.2 – It works me until I fall into bed, too exhausted to sleep.

v.2b – It reinforces comparison, competition, and insensitivity.

v.3 – I can’t rest or relax without drugs or alcohol.

The world says,”Rely on yourselves.”

“Fight your own battles.”

The Shepherd says, “Let Me fight for you.”

Have you ever said, “I love you” to your child as he ran to his friends or toys, only to see no smile returned, hear no “Thanks, Mom, I love you too”? Your words fell to the ground, unknown and unheard.

God understands that ache.

He wants us to FEEL His Presence,

not just KNOW ABOUT it or BELIEVE IN it.

But to do that, we must be quiet enough to hear His whispers of love.

 

Since a picture paints a thousand words, may I give you one more visual which helps keep my thinking straight?

IMAGINE your head and your heart are a HOME. 

WHO visits you? WHAT THOUGHTS do you let in the front door?

JESUS knocks tenderly, with words of love, promise and meaning.

SATAN barges in unannounced and uninvited with lies, guilt, and despair.

  But since it’s YOUR home,

YOU can either welcome them in 

or boot them out the back door.

Any time you wish. 

Satan ALWAYS deserves that kick in the pants with the door slamming him on the behind. 

His screaming voice might not steal our lives,

but it robs our joy.

So here’s the question:

Have you lived with what you’re living with long enough?

Allowed that unwelcome visitor enough times?

 

 

Aren’t you ready to stop believing his lies?

If so,

Find a quiet place.                                                        

Tell the Lord what’s on your heart.

He’s been waiting.

Longing to nestle you,

To whisper His love for you.

 

God’s plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day.

“I have made you, and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” 

Isaiah 46:4

 

I’m praying for you.

Love,

Linda

 

Playlist:

The Warrior is a Child – Twila Paris

Take a Moment – United Pursuit

Running in Circles – United Pursuit

Not in a Hurry – United Pursuit

Reckless Love – Cory Asbury

Endless Years – United Pursuit

Listen here at the Real and True Playlist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/128815512/playlist/3YfqgeMjEUj7ZB8ydKd5qL

Check out Chloe and Linda Grabeman’s book Real and True: Hope for the Restless Heart at www.realandtruehope.com