He Watches Over Us
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)
It can be so difficult sometimes to trust in the Lord. In fact, it can be near impossible at times. Whether it be because you have no idea what He’s planning, or because everything around you seems to be going crazy. Whatever it is, we all have a moment where we are frustrated and doubtful. In fact, those moments seem to be quite frequent for me.
This past January, a stranger entered my house. My family and I were fine and nothing had been stolen, but it really shook me. My sister and I were the only two who had any sort of encounter with him, and it terrifies me to think of what might have happened. I still struggle with anxiety over it, fearful that it will happen again. And, try as I might, trusting God after that night isn’t always easy.
Sure, He kept my family safe, and He comforted me while I sat in my bedroom for four hours panicking, but He still let it happen. I still waited with bated breath when I heard footsteps draw close to my bedroom and jiggle the locked doorknob. I still had to endure that night without a scrap of knowledge about what had happened to my family. How could God let that happen to me? And yet we’re still supposed to trust Him? We're supposed to believe He’s got His eyes on us?
Here’s the kicker: God never promised that bad things wouldn’t happen to us just because we believed in Him. We live in an imperfect world, inhabited by imperfect humans. Not only that, but the devil loves to toy with us and keep us from the Lord. However, God does promise that He will be there to care for us and help us in our times of suffering. He won’t leave us, even if we stray from the path He has set before us. He won’t leave you stranded when you need Him.
I have a wall hanging that I love and look to sometimes when I feel overwhelmed. It reads, “If God leads you to it, He will lead you through it.” God will never put you through something that you can’t handle, and if that part of your journey really is just that difficult, He’ll carry you the rest of the way. God wants to see us triumph over our trials. He wants to help us jump those hurdles and carry us through the stormy seas. But we have to trust that He has a plan and knows what He’s doing.
When I was eleven, I moved into my brother’s old bedroom. He put a lock on the door, but my dad wanted to take it off once he left; my dad never did. I am ever grateful for that, because had my father taken the lock off of my door, that man that invaded my home would have come back into my room. And then what might the enemy have tried to steal from me? That, to me, is a small but incredible piece of proof that God’s plan goes far beyond just getting His children to heaven. He wants us to live constantly within His goodness and grace. Yes, we must deal with difficulties and terrifying situations, but that doesn’t mean God loves us any less or that He isn’t watching over us.
Sometimes we have a hard time trusting the Lord and believing He is with us because of our fear. It can inhibit us from drawing closer to Jesus. Maybe, because we’re scared to step out in faith. Maybe, because we’re afraid of what others will think of us. Whatever the case may be, fear can hold us back and anxiety will keep us there. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast your anxieties upon Him because He cares for you.” We have to lay our burdens– our fears and worries– at His feet. The longer we hold on, the harder It will be to let go. God loves us, He doesn’t want us to suffer alone. Jesus wants to take our worries and sorrow, but He can’t if we won’t give them up.
Even if the world seems to be crashing all around you, remember that God is beside you. He’s watching over you, ready to lend His hand when needed. As hard as it can be, we have to put our faith and trust in Him. He has a plan for each and every one of us. He knows every step we’ll take, and every choice we make.
A way to prove that Jesus is near at all times is by diving into the Word. Begin to read and meditate on scripture. As you read and study the Bible, God will speak to you through it. Another way is by constant prayer. The more you talk to God, the more comfortable you will become with Him; the more aware you'll be of Him. But don’t just talk. It’s also important to take the time to listen. Sit for a while and just wait on Him. Eventually, it will be easier to hear what He has to say to you.
God doesn’t go away, and He won’t leave you high and dry. We have to have faith– trusting that He is always looking out for us, even though it doesn’t always feel like it. In those moments when everything feels totally and completely hopeless, know that God has it all under control. And, on those nights where your mind is plagued by fear and worry, call out to Jesus. He’ll be there to give you peace and comfort in that moment of need. Though we may stumble- maybe we even fall, God will be right there to pick you back up again, brush you off, and help you the rest of the way.
- Rose Cataro, @rosecataro
