A Day’s Journey Reflection
Sometimes I feel abandoned.
But if I am honest, I also know I am partially responsible for my isolation. Healing takes time, and although I know God is restoring me, my “trust muscle” is still weak.
I can be doing well—steady, peaceful, moving forward—until someone comes along and repeats something that has been said about me. Then old wounds begin to ache again. I try hard not to hate, because hate is too heavy to carry. I choose to forgive because hate weighs down the soul.
Hate clouds the mind. Hate steals the breath God is teaching me to breathe again.
The Holy Spirit is my Comforter. He does not shame me for the places that are still tender. He leads my soul back to paths of peace when the enemy tries to lead me astray through accusations. The devil is the accuser of the brethren; I now recognize the spirit of the father of lies. I am reminded by the Spirit of God that He sees, He hears, and He vindicates.
Psalm 142:3–4 says:
“When my Spirit was overwhelmed within me,
then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk.
They have secretly set a snare for me.
Look on my right hand and see,
for there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me.
No one cares for my soul.”
David knew what it felt like to be overwhelmed. He knew what it felt like to look around and see no one standing beside him. He knew the ache of feeling unseen, unheard, and unprotected.
But David also knew where to turn.
He cried out to God because God knew his path. God saw the snares. God understood the sorrow. God cared for his soul when it felt like no one else did.
And I am learning to do the same.
I know I have an enemy who devises plans to destroy me, but God is my portion. God is my refuge. God is my deliverer.
I may feel abandoned at times, but God does not abandon me.
I may feel isolated, but not forgotten.
I may feel weak in trust, but God is patient with my healing.
So I will trust Him again Today.
Even if my trust feels small.
Even if my voice trembles.
Even if I have to lay down the same hurt over and over again.
I will praise His Name because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Sacred Pause
Where has your trust muscle grown tired?
Where have the words of others tried to pull you back into old pain?
Take a quiet breath and bring that wound before the Lord. You do not have to carry hatred. You do not have to defend your soul alone. God sees. God knows. God cares.
A Prayer of Repentance and Trust
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with an honest heart. I confess that there are times I feel abandoned, forgotten, and unseen. I confess that sometimes I withdraw because trusting again feels too hard.
Forgive me for the times I have allowed hurt to build walls around my heart. Forgive me for the times I have carried anger longer than I should. Forgive me for the times I have almost allowed bitterness to become my protection.
Lord, hate is too heavy for me. I do not want to carry it.
Teach me to trust You in the places where my trust muscle is weak. Strengthen what is wounded. Comfort what has been overwhelmed. Lead my soul beside quiet waters and restore me.
Holy Spirit, be my Comforter. Lead me away from the snare of bitterness and into the path of peace.
You are my portion.
You are my refuge.
You are my deliverer.
And I will praise Your Name, because You have dealt bountifully with me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria