Trusting in the Unseen

I am a woman often controlled by my feelings. Can anyone else relate? There are times when I feel overwhelmed; I feel lonely; I feel unappreciated. And, unfortunately, those around me often have to live with my feelings. I am not one to suffer in silence.

It is easy to start feeling some of these things, when I let myself get bogged down in the situations around me. I am busy with children and school and church activities, so I feel overwhelmed. My friends are busy, and we can’t get together, so I feel lonely. I stay at home and do housework and take care of children. No one seems to notice, so I feel unappreciated.

But, I can choose to be controlled by these feelings or not. Feelings often distract me from focusing on what is true. The writer of Hebrews reminds us:

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

There are things I can be certain of, even when I cannot see them.

1. God always intends good for me.

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. Jeremiah 29:11

2. God has promised to care for me.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:11

3. God has promised to work out even the hard things in my life for His glory.

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. Romans 8:28

When I focus on the truth of these things I cannot see, I can stop being controlled by my feelings. I can choose to focus on what is true and right from the promises of God instead of on how I feel about my situation. And that, my friends, is a very freeing thing indeed!