One of my purposes for Blogtober 2024 has been to go through my drafts file and publish posts that are just sitting there ignored. Incomplete.

So, here’s one I wrote two years ago on June 7. I briefly published it, but then took it down. It was just a thought that I spit out into my phone and threw onto the draft pile of my blog. I have added a little, since recent experiences in my life brought fresh perspective.

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SEEING CHRIST

We don’t always recognize Christ in our circumstances, but if Christ lives in us, He is definitely with us in every case—in our sorrow, pain, unrest, and turmoil. He is with us in our illness, our brokenness, our loneliness, and our desert places.

No, He isn’t the source, and He hasn’t caused that circumstance. He isn’t there to watch and see how we handle this horrible situation— we are not lab rats. He is with us in our trouble, because He promised to never leave us!

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5a

Our faith challenge is to find Him, wave away the smoke (I call that worship), and keep our focus on Him and not our circumstances.

If we will keep our eyes on Him and follow Him closely (I call that repenting, obeying, and believing), He will not only keep us, but lead us to safety, wholeness, peace, and rest. We will walk in His favor in spite of feeling His hand must have been lifted from us, because we are facing such a time of suffering.

One day, I may write about the past four months and the moments when I was able to recognize Christ with me, but right now I just want to encourage you. I want you to know that in whatever situation you find yourself, Christ is there. And He is not there to be an observer, as I mentioned before, but to walk with you through this hardship.

If you call out to Him and are willing to trust Him to help you through, you will find yourself walking closer to Him than ever before, and truly knowing Him as Friend.

There is no formula here, OK? I’m not gonna give you three steps or five declarations. Just call out for help. Put yourself in remembrance of God’s Word. Believe with all your heart that His Word is true. It is, dear friend. It really is true. Today may not be the day you will understand everything that is happening, but you can still know that He is with you. Please, reach out to Jesus.

❤️