You lost your job. He walked out on you. You were diagnosed with cancer. You just spent the last dollar you had and the bills are piling up. You lost the baby you had hoped and prayed for. You’re single, and you feel all alone. Your life isn’t turning out the way you planned.
We’ve all asked it.
Where was God when ________? (you fill in the blank)
We think, “Geez God, it would have been nice for You to have been here when I was going through that.” Maybe you’re facing a struggle right now, and it seems like God is nowhere to be found. We think that because God didn’t or hasn’t yet intervened the way we wanted or expected Him to, that He’s not there.
What if we’re looking at things the wrong way? What if I told you that God’s presence is more about fixing our perspective on how He is with us than about fixing our problems?
God is not there to fix our problems, but to BE WITH US through them and to bless us with what can only come through Him.
This means…
When we’re confused, God’s blessing of His guidance is available.
When we’re afraid, God’s blessing of His protection is available.
When we’re tempted, God’s blessing of His strength to overcome is available.
When we’re hurting, God’s blessing of His comfort is available.
When we’re discouraged, God’s blessing of His encouragement is available.
When we’re lonely, God’s blessing of His companionship is available.
Regardless of the sin, hardship, temptation, or struggle you’re going through, He is always there! We can be assured that the true blessings of God – His hope, His life, His peace, and His joy – are always available, because God is always with us!
Are you having trouble seeing God there with you in the midst of what you’re going through right now? Most of the time, especially in our struggles, our eyes are focused on whatever is happening right in front of us. Therefore, from our perspective, all we experience and all we see is what is right in front of us, however good or bad that is. We need to fix our eyes on something else…
Hebrews 12:1-2 “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus was able to go through the agony and horror of the cross with confidence, because His eyes were not focused on what was right in front of Him, but on the Father.
Do you want to see God there with you? Do you want to begin to experience His blessings from His presence? Then, start FIXING YOUR EYES ON JESUS!
Reflect:
- Do you want to see and experience God with you today?
- Will you begin to fix your eyes on Jesus?
Next Steps:
- Fix your eyes on Jesus BEFORE by praying ahead of the events of your day, asking God to show you how He is present with you. Listen and respond in obedience to whatever He calls you to do.
- Fix your eyes on Jesus AFTER by reflecting at the day’s end how God was present.