Photo courtesy of Gail Pniak
"Are you there? God? I really hope you are there... I am desperate for someone to talk to. "
Speak, Child. I am always listening. You Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, Ps 10:17
"This is hard, Lord... This thing you asked me to do. It's really hard!"
Yes. I will give you the strength to do it. The lord gives strength to his people; Ps 29:11
"But God! You don't know what you are asking me here... It hurts to do this thing! I suck at it! I can't keep doing it all wrong and have your purpose be served. There has to be some other way!"
You are the vessel I have chosen. I chose you before the beginning of time for this role. I still choose you. Keep going. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Eph 1:4
"Lord, you are not listening to me! I can't do this all by myself, I am too weak and sickly to keep going!"
You are not by yourself. I am here. I will not leave you in this. You can do it. You will do it. I will give you strength. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deu 31:6
"I feel so alone and abandoned, Lord. No one is here for me and no one wants to help. They all say the same thing... They all say to keep praying."
It's good advice, to pray. Keep your eyes on me. Like a firefighter rescuing a child from a burning home, keep your eyes fixed firmly in mine and I will guide you out of the flames. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:18
"Lord, I am tired..."
I will give you moments of rest to rejuvenate. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Mat 11:28
"I am so unworthy. I can't possibly have enough faith to keep going."
All of you are unworthy of my love. I don't love you because you deserve it, I love you because I AM. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom 3:23
"If only I could see your plan for just a moment, just a second... Then I could understand and keep going. Then I would know why!"
My ways are not your ways. Even if I opened the Book, it would not encourage you. You could not comprehend the entire tapestry for the one small strand that is you. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Is 55:9
"Can't it be just a little easier? Why does it always have to be so hard?"
If it were easier, if I allowed you comfort, would you be on your knees with me right now? I determine the difficulty based on my knowledge, not on your comfort. Growth is painful and you are growing... For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 1Pet 2:19
"Lord, how can I go on in such fear and desperate circumstances? I am only human... Surely, there is another person more qualified than me..."
Do not be discouraged. Even one far greater than the angels asked to be relieved of His duty. My will, not yours. Remember that. Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. Luk 22:42
"This is hard, God. I hope it's worth it."
I gave you my promise. There will be great reward. Just keep going. Eyes up! Knees bent! Hands open wide for all the bounty that will come... For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11
