But it sure does feel like it at times!

Our feelings are like the sand on the beach. Sand is always being moved and pushed forward and backward by the water and the wind. Not to mention, people walking all over it too. It’s constantly changing…much like our feelings.

Just like the ocean waves push the sand, our emotions can push what we believe about God’s presence. Some days I feel like I’m walking so close to God and that He is right there listening and responding to my heart; I personally receive His answers mostly through reading His Word and journaling. Then there are days where complete silence and dryness create in me a sense of loneliness and abandonment. These same “feelings” rise up in many believers who truly love God. But, why does this happen?

I suppose it’s because we are human! We were created with emotions, but we only like pleasant ones, right?

It’s okay to not always “be okay.” We can be pretty hard on ourselves when we think we are not living up to God’s expectations, other people’s, or even our own. This can really wreak havoc on our emotions. Sometimes, the standards we set for ourselves and others are not real or even fair. But, thank God for His Words to us!

I recently heard a profound statement that encouraged me.

“Process…not perfection!”

This is so comforting. If we belong to God then we are His children! He’s not shaking His head with disappointment when we fail. If anything, He is cheering us on each moment of the day. We’re the ones who put the pressure of perfection on ourselves and those around us.

Look at God’s message to the Israelites as they were feeling “not okay.”

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭22‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m sure they didn’t feel His presence at times through their journey just as we too will not always feel His presence through ours. However, He is always with us helping us move forward. He is transforming us little by little, day by day.

“But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭NASB

Lord help us to remember how much you love and cherish us. Help us to remember you are with us even when we can’t feel you near.

“…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b

God bless you all. I pray you are having a pleasant and safe summer! ⛱️