Even Though He Seems Far Away

[shelovesChrist]

He's closer than any of us can imagine. When I suffered from instrusive thoughts badly over a year and half ago, it felt like I was so far from God. But He showed me in the midst of the storm, that He wasn't. He was closer than I could even imagine.

I heard this song and I know it was written in response to the disaster in Haiti, but it reminded me so much of my struggle and I just wanted to share with you all:

YouTube - ‪Lecrae - Far Away (Haiti Song)‬‏

Jesus healed me from the continous cycles of trying to fix my thoughts and I had to learn to rest in Him, now I can honestly say I'm healed, I rarely get the thoughts anymore, and once in a while they try to pop up, but I know that they can't stop the blessing of God from pouring over my life.

I pray for you all daily my brothers and sisters in Christ, you are in my prayers daily, I can't forget you, and where I found out I wasn't alone in the struggle and the love that you all showed me.

God bless you and keep pressing. All I can say is just keep reading the Bible even when the thoughts come, don't stop because you fear they will, keep reading, press, keep going to church even though it hurts, even though you can't focus too much on the sermon, keep pressing to church, keep praying, even though you hear the thoughts mocking God in the background, keep praying, He knew your struggle before it came upon you and it is no suprise to Him, He loves you regardless and is so proud that you are determined to let nothing, NOT EVEN INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS DAILY TRYING TO RIP YOUR FAITH APART, stop you from loving Him.

You are an honor to God, you are so brave and courageous, and no matter how you feel, He is proud of you, don't verify with your feelings and how the situation looks because we know that the situation of Jesus on the cross looked unfortunate, but it was really a blessing, it was really a symbol of love, we knew that the situation of the Hebrew boys who were thrown in the fire looked bad, but it was really a blessing, because it showed them and others around that God is able, we know that the situation of the children of Israel when chased by the pharaoh looked bad, because the Red Sea was in their way, but ayeeeeee, God split the sea open and He will do anything for you.

You guys are really the definiton of what faith is, because despite what it looks like, and feels like, and how many thoughts you have in your head telling you to give up you still fight, and God has somethign mighty in store for you. Jesus said, I go to prepare a place, that where I am, ye may also be. YESSSS !

We are headed on the highway to heaven. And on this journey, we gon have some accidents, we might have some flat tires, but God will provide. Jehova Jirah, He sees our needs before we know we need them and He meets them so when we pray, He's been on it, oh yes.

Somebody say glory. I really know the Lord is near. Bless you and stay strong. You are heros.

love you all

 

[canamer]

Thank you so much for posting this! This is the second really encouraging thing I've read today - totally meant for me too, I know. Earlier today, I read the latest released note from Ray Pritchard (Keep Believing Ministries) and he talked about how God sets a table for us while in the wilderness. We are certainly not alone even though it may feel like that.

As I walked my dogs a bit earlier tonight I just felt God say to me 'just let go'. Your OCD only controls you as much as you let it. It doesn't have to control you though. It sounds so simple... oh how I wish I could just 'do that'. I want to. I'm trying to. It's just hard.

I've been in a dark place the last few days. But today, I've seen glimmers of hope and light, your post being one of them. I will continue to press on. I will not give up no matter how hard I'm pressed into a corner. I simply won't.

 

[Accune]

Thank the Lord for your post.Man I have been going through some extreme highs and lows,it's been a crazy roller coaster.I just want a level surface to grow on mental and emotional wise.Lately I have been hearing a lot of things dealing with the pordigal son.

 

[shelovesChrist]

@canamer

I'm so glad that your deciding no to give up, no matter what. Like that is really encouraging to me, because there are some days where even after God has delivered me from this, doubt finds itself in my head, and I'm am constantly telling myself, don't forget where He's brought you. im glad that im not the only one determined to love God through the ups and downs, highs and lows, good days and bad days, God wouldn't put more on us than we could bear, so IMAGINE all the other stuff His hand is holding back from us, this will increase your faith, as it did mine, and it will make you so strong, like I know with all my heart, this is working for the better of you. Keep pressing, God got ya back lol and yea, when Im at the feet of Jesus, and He's continuously telling the disciples o yea of little faith, i always think like it just feels so easy with Him, like as easy as breathing, and I want that, and I believe that we will too have that faith, that peace, that in the middle of a roaring storm, we can sleep peacefully like Jesus in the hinder part of the ship -- it amazes me everytime I hear that, like i've had some moments in my life where i look down and realize im standing soley on the word of God, and its like walking on water, like its amazing, and i've even had moments where my the storms of my life roaring and im singing songs of praise and its like hey , usually you would be stressing, but He will give you that peace, and that faith <3 He is so wonderful, and we're blessed to be in His hands. You're gonna make it, I know because with Jesus on board, no matter what storms in your life, the boat won't sink.

@accune - that's interesting, you hearing a lot of things about the prodigal son. no coincidence or chance either, i'd really dig deep in that thing, God telling you something. and i feel what you're saying, some days it's like you're on a yoyo, up one minute, down one minute, but continue in the word of God, that is your foundation, that will keep you strong, that will keep you planted on solid ground, feelings are so finicky, but the word of God never changes, and don't get upset, or beat yourself up if you feel you keep on stumbling, sometimes you just have to regroup. like if youre really coo one minute and youre feelings start to feel down, and unbelief and doubt try to cloud your head, dont wallow in the fact that "it's" happening again, just regroup, be like you know what, no matter how i feel, my God says He's with me til the end of the world, you'll find comfort in the word of God, proverbs 24:16, the Holy Spirit just gave this to me, For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Dont focus on the falls, look as look as you're up at the end of the day, still can pray, still have your faith, still can look to the hills from which cometh your help, you are doing great. God promises to uphold you through whatever, remember that.

Ima forever praying for yall, and others on this forum, we gon make it, like the fight is fixed, all we have to do is stay in the ring and endure the punches, we WILL be the last ones standing in the ring. We WIN!

 

[Accune]

Thanks for the words,these forums are truly a blessing.

 

[RPicking]

Yes thank you for sharing. Anytime I hear a story of someone that has found victory from this, that is the daily encouragement that I need to know that IT could possibly mean a deliverance for the rest of us. I know for myself I hold onto Ephesians 3:20. In my heart and mind I know what I'm asking God to do and I know he can do "far greater."

I know when I'm listening to really passionate music, I sometimes get really motivated to look genuinely at my life and to put into perspective...an eternal view. I see the moments of comfort that I use to have, and I realize how much walking into the arms of Christ on that great day would be far more greater than having a "Normal" day.

The Prodigal son is also a story that I hold onto with ALL MY HEART. I see so many different angles of God's love in that story, and I think some people are blind to that.

Glory to God for the deliverance that you experienced.

 

[shelovesChrist]

walking into the arms of Christ on that great day

it will be all worth it. the tears, the battles, the pain, to spend eternity with the One who loves you more than anyone is the best thing ever to me. and im grateful that im able to encourage you all, because once i felt like this would be the end of me, not knowing that i would come to trust in God, His word, and cling to Him with my dear life. it has given me so much faith and then the deliverance has shown me that God is able. i just want you to know that although he may seem far away, He is so close to you, and when He showed me that, it gave me so much faith in my trial. i pray peace upon your life, and faith, and you are truly inspiring, because you continue to fight for the One you love even though it may seem impossible and hopeless at times, you will die fighting and it's a blessing to know people that are in this foreal. and to be able to see God's love in the midst of this battle is so amazing, that was something i struggled with because i was fooled into thinking that everytime i had the thought, He was that far away from me, but you are able to see Him for who He is, based on the truth, His word, and that's really amazing. <3