Where is God?

I have been going through a rough patch personally over the past month or so. I have always been able to pray to God and just ask Him to get me through it and for His Will to be done in all cases. But, yesterday, something disturbing happened. I lost my faith.

It all of a sudden hit me - where is God in my time of need? I pray to Him every day to help me but feel nothing. Then I started thinking about my faith. Why do I love God? I just don't know.

God, I have lost my faith in You. Help me to get it back.

The Peace of Christ

In my hectic life, especially lately, all I want is some peace. Just quiet and peace so I can even think. Where can I look for that peace that I desperately need?

I look to Christ.

It is in Christ that all things are possible. It is in Him that peace is found. God's peace is the answer - I need not look anywhere else. But, I can't seem to find His presence in my life. Where is God?

He is here with me, even when I don't feel it. He is at my side when I am tired and stressed. He is in my heart when I ache and mourn. He is here.

Christ, let Your peace envelope my soul. Let me replace the weariness and stress with your love and peace. Lord, I am yours. Do with me according to Your will.

If I can just surrender my life in earnest to God, He will take care of all things. I will get that peace that I need so badly. He is my light and salvation and my peace.

Lord, fill me with Your peace. Let me rest in You.

Spent

I am spent. I have nothing left to give.

Lately, my life has been chaotic to say the least. I work at a demanding job where I bail people out all day long from jams, get them information that they don't feel like getting, and get involved in situations that have nothing to do with me. Whenever someone comes to see me, it results in more work for me. And I work with someone who does nothing to help me.

At home, my husband is disabled and spends a lot of each day talking about his pain. While I sympathize with him, I don't really want to hear it all the time. I have my own physical pain issues - do you hear me complaining all day? No, I don't say anything most of the time. And when I do mention it, nothing. No reaction, no sympathy, nothing. Ugh!

Yesterday, I got to the point when I said "That's it! I am out of energy and out of answers". I am spent.

I even sent my boss an e-mail telling him that I needed some space and got no reaction from him. Ugh again!

I am tired of helping people all day long and getting nothing in return. I am tired. I am stressed. I am spent.

The grip of addiction

Recently, I have been dealing with a loved one who is in the grip of addiction. It was just marijuana at first and now it's other things. I am so worried for his life and his future. He is such a good person but is very passive and tends to be a follower. He is painfully shy and just wants to be accepted.

As much as I have talked with him, there is really nothing I can do for him. I can be there to support him with my prayers and love. But, he needs to figure it out. And I think he will in time. He is too smart not to.

I have never been through a time like this and I am scared. I am petrified. I don't know why God is allowing this to happen, but it must be in His plan for me and for my friend. So, God, please watch over us both. Grant me the patience and courage to say and do what needs to be done and the compassion to be supportive. Help my friend to see that drugs is not the answer and that he can still be happy without them.

Amen.

Helpless

I hate feeling helpless.

I have a friend who is going through a rough time and the hardest part about it is that I can do nothing for him. He will find out this week about his future and it's really scary on a lot of fronts. What does he do if he loses his job especially in these times?

I feel powerless to help him and all I can do is pray to the One who has power over all. I have been praying very hard for my friend in the hopes that God will be with him and guide him, even if that means finding a new vocation. God controls everything anyway - it's all in His timing and plan.

Yes, I hate feeling helpless to assist those I care about. But hopefully, with my prayers helping in some way, my friend will be fine.

God, help all those who are crying out to you . Be their comfort and reason for hope.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

Forgiveness

When do you forgive and when do you hold a grudge?

Jesus said that you are to forgive seven times seventy times. You are to turn the other cheek and forgive as Christ would forgive you.

But, how practical is that in today's world?

There is someone in my life that has a very overbearing personality. The reaction I get is always anger first, understanding afterwards. I have known this person for over 30 years and over that time, I have been called every name in the book including some that are not very complimentary. In fact, most people would have dropped this person years ago.

The other day, I was again called a very derogatory name for no reason and it was at a very stressful time for me. It was the last straw. I just can't take the hurt anymore even though I know in my heart that it wasn't really meant.

Am I to forgive?

It is in these moments of hurt and pain that I should remember that Christ forgives me no matter what I do. He loves me unconditionally and always forgives me if I am truly sorry. If I say something that I don't really mean, Jesus forgives me. He knows me and knows that I am a flawed human being. So, I need to remember that in dealing with this person in my life. I need to forgive.

Christ, give me the strength to forgive this person. Heal my hurting heart and help me to get past this yet again and forgive. Be with me and this person. Don't let my feeling dictate how I treat others. Let me see in the example of Christ's love for me how to in turn love and forgive others.

In Christ's name I pray. Amen

The Example of Job

Lately, I have had a lot on my plate and more was piled on this week. My son is having an issue with so-called “friends” that are leading him down a bad path. My husband has recently been having problems accepting his disability that he has had for about 2 years now. He is now retired and on certain days, he can’t accept that he can’t do as much as he used to. And that it all falls on me now to do for him.

I can’t do much more than I am now. How much more does God expect me to handle? I just can’t do it.

No, I can’t, but with God, I can do all things. And it is in these times that I think about Job. He was an amazing person. He suffered so much loss and personal pain, yet he continued to believe in God and His mercy for him. What an incredible example of holiness for me to follow!

But, can I be that holy? Yes, because everyone is called to holiness by God. Maybe I won’t suffer the personal losses that Job did, but I can try to accept what God has put in my life presently.

It is extremely difficult for me on a daily basis to do all the things that I am responsible for due to the current situation. I do it because I have to, but there are many days when I just hate the way my life is right now. And I am not shy in telling God exactly how I feel about things because I know He cares ( and He knows anyway!).

I pray and talk to God regularly in the hopes that my relationship with Him will grow each day. And Job is someone that can guide me and make me have hope when all seems hopeless. Job had great faith in God and His plan for his life. And Job was rewarded for his faith and patience. I want God to know that I am trying the best that I can to do what He wants me to do. And if it means that I have to have a hectic life right now, so be it. God is with me in all things. God wants me to succeed and if I have the patience and faith of Job, God will provide for me.

Lord, thank you for the great example of Job for my life. Let me always remember that You are with me in all things. Lord, You are my reason for living and I thank You for Your mercy and compassion for me, a weak imperfect human being. I surrender my life, problems, happiness, success, failures, joys, sorrow and suffering to You.

Lord, You are my reason for living. Let me live my life according to Your Will.