When God is Silent, Part 2

  

  

Note: This post is two years in the making.  Some of the thoughts are since out-dated, but still relevant.  I will leave the first part I started two years ago, but add to it.  I got away from my blog for many reasons, but feeling God calling me back to post my thoughts once again.

I think I am like most people, I like to listen to music when I shower.  It also is a time to contemplate the day and think about life.  This particular morning I had two friends heavy on my heart.  One is struggling with an addiction, the other struggling with life in general.  Both Christians, both at their wits end and God is the farthest thing from their minds.  It was the lyrics of two particular songs that encourage me not only to reach out to both, but to also post here as the conclusion to my "When God is Silent".

   I know how easy one can turn from God when you feel He is not answering your prayers, requests or your cries.  It's not that you have given up on God, although some do, it's the idea that God is either not available or not listening.  He is basically  indifferent to what you are going through.  There are lots of Scripture that tells you God is never away from you or not listening; Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Zephaniah 3:17 are just a few.

  Let me get back to the point of where I was going, the songs.  The first song is from Blanca and is called Greater is He.

I face a giant
In over my head
Help me to look up
I take a deep breath
And take the next step
Though I may be weak
I know who is with me

CHORUS
And greater is He living in me
Than he who is in the world
Whatever may come, His strength is enough
My heart is at peace, for greater is He

Before I continue, isn't it amazing how you can listen to a song over and over, but one day something about the song speaks volumes to you?  Well I believe that God was giving me a message to pass onto my friends in need and to you.  It doesn't take a lot of thought to see where the lyrics are taking you.  You are facing a giant; addiction, life throwing you a curve, walls crashing in around you.  Yet, with the Spirit within you, you look up, realize where your strength will come from and take that next step forward!  Sounds simple, but for a lot of people who are far from God, that next step is a major one.  The step may be major, but with the strength of the Spirit within you, it is achievable.  I have witnessed many who have come from the valleys, in complete darkness to the mountain top, refreshed and renewed.

  The next song is from Josh Wilson - Before the Morning.

Do you wonder why you have to feel the things that hurt you

If there's a God who loves you, where is He now

Maybe there are things you can't see

And all those things are happening to bring a better ending

Someday somehow you'll see, you'll see

Would you dare, would you dare to believe

That you still have a reason to sing

Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on you gotta wait for the light

Press on and just fight the good fight

Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It's just the dark before the morning

I believe there are times in our lives that it seems God is not only silent, but he has abandoned you completely.  A tragedy happens, you find yourself in a pit that you can't climb out of, the enemy coming at you in all directions and you basically raise your arms in surrender.  The biggest question and scream that comes from you is "WHY?".  The lyrics that I posted challenges the believer to dare to believe that whatever is happening, whatever pain and emptiness your feeling, God continues to be beside you.  God is working through the darkness to bring you to the other side in the light.  It may seem that there is no hope, that the darkness will engulf you and drown you.  God would never let that happen.  You may walk through the valley, climb the mountain, but you will reach the top where the light shines the brightest.  During that whole journey, God walks with you.  You just have to remember He's there so talk to him.

I am going to finish up here with a couple of thoughts; and here they are.  
God is never not beside you.  It only seems that way when you ignore Him or stop communicating with Him.  
He's not going anywhere.  God wants nothing but a relationship with you and will continue to pursue you for the rest of your days.  

The final outcome to all of this relies on you.  You have to let God in, even when you are angry or sad.  You have to give whatever you are going through to God.  Finally, God knows you hurt and wants nothing more to comfort you.  Instead of pushing Him aside, let Him come closer.  As Josh Wilson wrote in his song, "Cause the pain that you've been feeling, it's just the dark before the morning".

Chappy