You Are Not Alone: Finding God in the Deepest Waters

When things go wrong in our lives, we are quick to think that God has abandoned us. Or that we are being punished in some way.

Or we think that these things shouldn’t be happening to us because we’re a good person, a good Christian and God shouldn’t let bad things happen to you.

The thing is, God never promised us a life of leisure or a life without troubles. As a matter of fact, He warns us about it. Jesus Himself told his disciples, His chosen few, “In this world you will have tribulation.” But He doesn’t leave it at that. He then tells them, “But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

In his second letter to the church at Corinth, Paul reminds that them, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

James, the half-brother of Jesus, writes, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

There is nothing harder than feeling abandoned by God, like feeling like He’s far away and ignoring you. I know. I’ve felt that. But He is never far from us. In fact, He’s often right beside us. 

There is a lot of hard in this life. Unfortunately, that is the consequence of sin entering the world. And God can’t take away those consequences. But He can help us through them. And He can use the greatest hurts in our lives, if we give them over to Him to use. 

But now thus says the LORD,  He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isaiah 43:1-3

I’m not going to pretend to know exactly what you’re going through. Everyone has their own hardships and their own struggles and though there are others who have walked before you, the exact circumstances are unique to you.

But I do know this – He hasn’t abandoned you. He’s still there. Keep calling out. Keep praying and reading your Bible. Keep drawing as close to Him as you can. And I promise, He will not let the deep waters overwhelm you.