What we choose to focus on bares so much weight on how our day will go. Whether or not we will accomplish our goals. Whether or not we will make that relationship work. Whether or not we will meet those expectations we have self-imposed or those imposed by others.

Focusing on the negative deprives you from seeing the good all around. It blinds you from God’s truths, that you are fearfully and wonderful made. It robs you from ever believing that you ARE good enough, adored and loved, that you DO matter in this world.

I recall feeling so distressed, wrapped up in my own pain and misery. My focus was on the negative things all the time. I lacked hope and had little to zero faith that God would even answer my prayers. I felt like all my prayers were just dust thrown up in the air getting blown away by the wind. Unheard. Unanswered. Insignificant. I was discouraged and broken.

Anxiety, worry, stress, fear, uncertainty, and so many more negative thoughts had consumed me. I was drowning in a sea of hopelessness and felt so broken and lost. I needed more. I needed help. And when all else seemed just too much to handle, I ran into God’s arms as my refuge just hoping that this time my pain would be gone. This time my prayers would be answered.

HAVE YOU EVER FELT THIS WAY? Just so broken and lost in your pain and despair?

I remember standing at the foot of Lakewood Church 18 years ago, feeling an overwhelm of emotions. I felt peace for the first time. I felt God’s presence all around me. And in this very moment, I felt relief. Finally!

It was in this moment, that for the very first time, I truly gave it all to God. I surrendered every hurt. Every painful memory. Every feeling of guilt and resentment. Everything. I took it all to the altar and just left it at the feet of Christ.

When I say surrender it all, I don’t mean just lend it to God for a moment until you feel better. I don’t mean giving it to God one minute then taking it back believing you can do it on your own. It’s realizing without God you can’t. Without God the pain will continue to linger and wait for that very opportune moment to just creep up on you. It’s realizing the truths behind the scripture that reads, “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” (Psalm 18:32). It’s believing He will do for you just as He did for David. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.” (Psalm 18:16)

My precious friend, whatever you are facing today, please know that God, for one, has not abandoned you. He adores you and you matter more than you realize. God will answer your prayers and it may not be as you expect. But in the end the result will be just what you need. God is a loving Father that cares deeply for every one of His children. And all He wants is what any parent wants for their child. For them to be happy, at peace, feeling loved and important. To feel protected and assured that they will be okay. To trust in them knowing that their parent will take care of them despite the circumstances. It’s about trusting in our parent, our Heavenly Father. It’s believing that He is taking great care of us and He truly does want the very best for us. It’s knowing you no longer have to live a life without God. He is all around just waiting on you to take His hand. ❤️

XOXO…Ileen

psst…God Loves You