Promises vs. Perseverance

There are thousands of promises from God in the Bible. Don’t know for sure, as I have never really counted them all. But, one thing I do know for sure: God always delivers!

I didn’t always believe that, however. In my sorrow and brokenness after our family’s suicide, I thought God didn’t love me. I felt unloveable, unloved, and abandoned by God. You may feel that way also, but please listen to this wonderful description of God, “The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” (Psalms 145:8-9) Right there are seven promises from God and they are always truth!

So why did I feel abandoned by God?

I didn’t have enough perseverance. I didn’t have enough hope in his unfailing love. I told myself that God didn’t love me, and I repeated those thoughts over and over in my mind, “God doesn’t love me.“ “God has abandoned me.” “I am unloveable.” All those thoughts were outright lies, but I believed them to be true. That repetition was destructive and prolonged my healing for years.

When a difficult season enters our lives, we need tenacity, endurance, and commitment to the Word of God, for that is where we will find real truth—healing truths. You see, feelings come and go, but God’s words remain truthful—always!

So, my dear friend, “hang in there” through your doubts and misgivings about God. Go to his Word, and start with the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Read them. Believe them. Trust them—because God always delivers truth, and he always keeps his word. Now that’s a promise you can count on!

Pray for perseverance, and I will pray for that, too.

Your prayer partner,