“But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
Several years ago, I endured one of the
hardest seasons I have ever experienced. My heart ached, my head spun with
worry and stress, and my fears of what the future held were crippling.
There were days I wasn’t motivated to keep
going or get out of bed, and the tears wouldn’t cease. Days when I questioned
God about heartbreak and suffering, the seeming unfairness of life, and
unanswered prayers.
Yet one particular day, amid an especially
trying problem, my heart changed in a moment of prayer. I heard myself say
something to God that caught me off guard. It was just one simple statement
that rolled effortlessly off of my lips:
I still love You,
Lord.
As my mind swirled with hurt and negative
thoughts, my soul swirled with my love for Him, even when I didn’t think it
could. And I knew His love for me didn’t waver.
As Romans 5:8 says, “God showed his
great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
When life is going well, it’s easier to love
God and believe He loves us. But when life falls apart or an unexpected
hardship hits, it’s not as easy. It might even feel impossible. Those feelings
and doubts don’t make us bad people or failures as believers. They merely make
us human.
The upside is these thoughts can force us to
ask ourselves some difficult questions: Despite everything, will I
still love Jesus with my whole heart, soul and mind, even though He allowed
these circumstances to happen? Will I still believe He loves me and has good
plans in store?
Our honest answers to these questions serve as
an indicator of whether we love the Lord just in the good times or all the
time - when He gives and when He takes away, when He answers
our deepest prayers and when we feel like He isn’t listening
at all.
Maybe you’re facing a difficult time, an
unexpected hurt or a painful loss. Perhaps you’re wondering if God hears your
prayers or if He has forgotten you. Or possibly you’ve been secretly doubting
if He loves you and if you still love Him.
You aren’t alone. Even the most faithful
followers of Jesus have times of doubting His love. Times when they wonder if
His love is meant for them or just everyone else.
Those thoughts are from the enemy who wants to
cloud our minds, make us bitter, and pull us away from God. But Scripture tells
us God sent His Son to die for us - even though we were still sinners - because
He loves us that much.
We are so blessed to have the love of God.
Will you love Him no matter what?
Dear Lord, forgive me for doubting Your love
for me. Help me to focus on Your everlasting love, push past my doubts, and
love You unconditionally despite my circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- Tracie Miles
Provided by “Proverbs 31 Ministries”