30 Days Of Emotional HealthSample

I hate to admit it, but I can be a moody Christian. Many times I resemble a fit-throwing toddler. If my relationship with Christ depended on my faithfulness or my feelings I’d be in big trouble. There’ve been times when I’ve diligently sought God and surrendered to Him. But I’ve also resisted Him, pulled away, and ignored His voice. There’ve been periods when I’ve been so angry, consumed with a sorrow so deep, I refused to even pray. In those circumstances, I expected God to chastise me and turn His back. That’s what I would’ve deserved. But that’s not how He responded. Instead, He gently tugged at my heart, calling me back to Him. In those tender moments, I most clearly saw God’s heart, and I came to realize how securely mine rested in His. So often, when we’re in the middle of a struggle, all we can see is the pain. We cry out to God, begging Him to rescue us, feeling alone, frightened, and abandoned. We may even grow angry at Him. But our anger and pain can never diminish God’s love; it’s steadfast and eternal. This means His love for us will never die or grow weaker, regardless of how we behave. When we’re hurt and angry, we may be tempted to pull away, thinking God’s angry with us as well. But I believe it’s during those moments that He most longs to draw us close. Hold tight to that the next time you feel swallowed up by life, and you feel all alone. Remember that you never are and never will be, because in Christ, you are held secure in a deep and unyielding love. ~Jennifer Slattery Author, Speaker, and founder of Wholly Loved Ministries