“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
Anxiety and depression are common today. There is such strain on our time, finances, and relationships, as well as the constant inundation of social media, work, extracurriculars, news….
You want noise? All we have to do is wake up, and it finds us—internal or external.
And while the world keeps spinning and demanding, many of us are silently struggling in the tension of abundance and emptiness. We have so much at our fingertips, but we feel so hollow. We ask for prayer, see doctors, and yet still feel the inability to escape the grip held on us.
Even though I don’t understand why God doesn’t always heal us immediately, I choose to trust His timing. But instead of resting in that trust, sometimes we find ourselves striving instead. Maybe we’re consumed with doing more than being—consumed with meeting every demand that comes our way. Or maybe we have given our full focus to God, and He has us waiting.
My encouragement to you is, like Paul, allow the weakness to draw you closer to God. Allow the thorn to pull you to the Father’s presence as you seek Him in the chaos and darkness. In the grip of anxiety or the clutches of depression, keep pressing in.
God will be with you in and through it all. In your weakness, turn to Him for strength.
Jesus, from before His birth, is called Immanuel, God with us (Matt. 1:23). We see Him sit with people in the middle. And when He ascends to heaven, we see Him once again remind us of who He is as Immanuel. In Matthew 28:20, He says, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
He may not take it away immediately. It may be a lifelong process of shifting our minds to the things above. It may require the help of doctors, prayer, and a daily commitment. But what I do know—God is with you in and out of every minute of every day. Always. Look to Him.
Prayer: Jesus, You are Immanuel. Thank You for being with me and for sending me the Holy Spirit as my Helper. I need Your help today. As I sit in Your presence, I ask for peace in my mind, joy for my heart, and strength to face another day. Help me feel Your presence and see Your hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want More?
Read Psalm 23:4 to be reminded that God is with you. Time and time again in Scripture, He shows up to be with those in the middle. Remember that He is with you too—even to the end. Listen to worship music today and sit in His presence. How might you look for God today? What is He speaking to you?
