The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study is reading and talking about the book "Prayer Begins With Relationship", by Cynthia Hyle Bezek, a study in the Breakthrough Prayer: Studies for Small Groups series. The premise of the study is that prayer begins with relationship between the believer and God. Prayer is inherently a relational interaction between you and God. Prayer is a dynamic conversation between two individuals who love, care for and enjoy one another. These are the notes for the Session 3 of our study. In this Session we talk about the importance of being honest with God when we talk to Him. We should stop faking it and tell God exactly how we feel when we are happy and full of joy, or when we're angry, frustrated, confused, or afraid. In other words let's not hide our emotions from our friend. He doesn't hide His from us so we shouldn't hide ours from Him. He knows anyway.
To purchase the book and study along with is click this LINK or the links in and after the notes.
To hear the audio of the group's session click on the YouTube image at the end of the notes.
Last Week We Defined the Relationship Between Man and God
Human beings are uniquely created in the image of God. When God created the earth, son, moon, stars, and all the animals He said it was “good.” However, when it came to humans, the tone changed. He said that the creation of humans was “very good.” Human beings are an extra-special creation for at least three reasons.
First, it is clear that humans have an identity that is rooted in God.
Genesis 1:26-27 (HCSB)26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.
Second, humans are special because they were created for a unique purpose. No two humans are the same.
There is no other person who is exactly like you! You are an original! No two people have the same fingerprint and no two people have identical DNA
It doesn't end there. We are told that one's DNA is strikingly different as well. No two people have the same identical DNA.
Psalms 139:14 HCSB Other aspects of creation serve general functions, but only humans have a unique, individual purpose.
Third, humans are designed to have a one-on-one relationship with God through Jesus.
Romans 8:33-39 (HCSB)33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies.34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, ⌊hostile⌋ powers,39 height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Relating to God as friend is a tough concept for most of us. It may even seem irreverent or arrogant. After all how can we be friends with the King of kings, Creator of the universe, a holy and sinless God? But we are invited to be and are called God’s friends though our faith in and relationship with Jesus. He even calls us brothers.
Hebrews 2:11-12 (HCSB)11 For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers,12 saying: I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing hymns to You in the congregation.
Let’s not get it twisted our friendship with God is not a friendship of equals. He will always remain in His rightful place of honor and authority. We are still the work of His hands, His people over whom He has final say. That never changes, no matter how close or intimate we become with Him. A proper respect of God is part of being His friend.
Friendship is just one of the ways God relates with us. God is many things to us at the same time, including Father, Shepherd, Lord, Redeemer, Teacher, and Friend. No one aspect of who He is cancels out the rest. The better we know Him - in all of His various aspects - the more accurately we’ll be able to relate to Him, talk with Him, and enjoy Him.
Something I read by Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church
The basic law of relationships is this: You tend to become like the people you spend time with. If you spend time with grumpy people, you get grumpier. If you spend time with happy people, you get happier. If you want to have more humility, spend time with Jesus Christ. He is humble. He wants a relationship with you. He wants you to spend time with him in prayer and reading his Word and talking to him. He is humble, and as you get to know him, you’ll become more like him.
“Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves . . . You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to”(Philippians 2:3, 5-6 NCV/NLT).
“Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).
You’re never going to become a friend of God in your spare time. You have to make knowing God your number one priority in life.
Paul says it like this: “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).
Are you doing that? Are you seeking God with all your heart every day?
Remember: You are as close to God as you choose to be. You’re going to become a friend of God when you want to become a friend of God.
You can’t blame anybody else. You can’t blame your wife, your husband, your parents, or your kids. You are as close to God as you want to be. And if you feel far from God, guess who moved? You didn’t make him the number one priority of your life.
Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege. And being known and being loved by God is our greatest pleasure.
I’ve noticed that you can tell what’s important to people by what they brag about. If their kids are most important, they brag about their kids. If their job is the most important thing in their life, they brag about their job. If travel and having experiences is most important, that’s what they talk about. If partying or buying new clothes is what you talk about most, guess what you value most? You brag about what you value most.
God says in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “The wise should not boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their wealth. If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me” (GNT).
Why? Because that’s what life is all about. Knowing God is what matters most. The God of the universe loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. Getting close to God will give you peace and perspective. Now that’s good news!
“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (Psalm 25:14 TLB).
If you want to build a deep relationship with God, you have to slow down and be quiet.
Friendship with God is like any other friendship—you have to make time for it. If you don’t make time for your human friends, they’re not your friends. You make time for your friends. And if God is going to be your best friend, you’ve got to give your best time to him.
The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).
You need to have a daily quiet time with God. You have to be still so that you can know him better.
Psalm 25:14 says, “Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (TLB).
The Bible says that friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him—in other words, those who slow down and spend time with him.
What would a friendship be if you never invested your time in it? Friendships need attention. You will never know God intimately if all you do is come to church services. You’ve got to read God’s Word and ask him, “God, is there anything you want to say to me?” You don’t have to use any fancy phrases or words. Just talk to him authentically. And then listen!
The Bible says it like this in Matthew 6:5-6: “When you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production . . . Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (Matthew 6:5-6 The Message).
The key to a friendship with God is deciding whose friendship you want most.
You don’t have time for everybody to be your friend. You’ve got to decide who you want most to be your best friend.
The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:21, “Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life—they don’t know God”(TLB).
If you’re not a friend of God, it means you care about something else more. James 4:4 says, “You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes God’s enemy” (NCV).
If you’re going to be a friend of God, then you’ve got to care about what he cares about and stop caring about the things he doesn’t care about. God doesn’t care about your image. He’s not interested in your status. He’s interested in your character—not how you look but who you are. An essential step toward friendship with God means choosing to value what God values.
To purchase the book and study along with is click this LINK or the links in and after the notes.
To hear the audio of the group's session click on the YouTube image at the end of the notes.
Last Week We Defined the Relationship Between Man and God
Human beings are uniquely created in the image of God. When God created the earth, son, moon, stars, and all the animals He said it was “good.” However, when it came to humans, the tone changed. He said that the creation of humans was “very good.” Human beings are an extra-special creation for at least three reasons.
First, it is clear that humans have an identity that is rooted in God.
Genesis 1:26-27 (HCSB)26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.
Second, humans are special because they were created for a unique purpose. No two humans are the same.
There is no other person who is exactly like you! You are an original! No two people have the same fingerprint and no two people have identical DNA
It doesn't end there. We are told that one's DNA is strikingly different as well. No two people have the same identical DNA.
Psalms 139:14 HCSB Other aspects of creation serve general functions, but only humans have a unique, individual purpose.
Third, humans are designed to have a one-on-one relationship with God through Jesus.
Romans 8:33-39 (HCSB)33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies.34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, ⌊hostile⌋ powers,39 height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Relating to God as friend is a tough concept for most of us. It may even seem irreverent or arrogant. After all how can we be friends with the King of kings, Creator of the universe, a holy and sinless God? But we are invited to be and are called God’s friends though our faith in and relationship with Jesus. He even calls us brothers.
Hebrews 2:11-12 (HCSB)11 For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers,12 saying: I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing hymns to You in the congregation.
Let’s not get it twisted our friendship with God is not a friendship of equals. He will always remain in His rightful place of honor and authority. We are still the work of His hands, His people over whom He has final say. That never changes, no matter how close or intimate we become with Him. A proper respect of God is part of being His friend.
Friendship is just one of the ways God relates with us. God is many things to us at the same time, including Father, Shepherd, Lord, Redeemer, Teacher, and Friend. No one aspect of who He is cancels out the rest. The better we know Him - in all of His various aspects - the more accurately we’ll be able to relate to Him, talk with Him, and enjoy Him.
Something I read by Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church
The basic law of relationships is this: You tend to become like the people you spend time with. If you spend time with grumpy people, you get grumpier. If you spend time with happy people, you get happier. If you want to have more humility, spend time with Jesus Christ. He is humble. He wants a relationship with you. He wants you to spend time with him in prayer and reading his Word and talking to him. He is humble, and as you get to know him, you’ll become more like him.
“Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves . . . You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to”(Philippians 2:3, 5-6 NCV/NLT).
“Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).
You’re never going to become a friend of God in your spare time. You have to make knowing God your number one priority in life.
Paul says it like this: “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).
Are you doing that? Are you seeking God with all your heart every day?
Remember: You are as close to God as you choose to be. You’re going to become a friend of God when you want to become a friend of God.
You can’t blame anybody else. You can’t blame your wife, your husband, your parents, or your kids. You are as close to God as you want to be. And if you feel far from God, guess who moved? You didn’t make him the number one priority of your life.
Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege. And being known and being loved by God is our greatest pleasure.
I’ve noticed that you can tell what’s important to people by what they brag about. If their kids are most important, they brag about their kids. If their job is the most important thing in their life, they brag about their job. If travel and having experiences is most important, that’s what they talk about. If partying or buying new clothes is what you talk about most, guess what you value most? You brag about what you value most.
God says in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “The wise should not boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their wealth. If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me” (GNT).
Why? Because that’s what life is all about. Knowing God is what matters most. The God of the universe loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. Getting close to God will give you peace and perspective. Now that’s good news!
“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (Psalm 25:14 TLB).
If you want to build a deep relationship with God, you have to slow down and be quiet.
Friendship with God is like any other friendship—you have to make time for it. If you don’t make time for your human friends, they’re not your friends. You make time for your friends. And if God is going to be your best friend, you’ve got to give your best time to him.
The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).
You need to have a daily quiet time with God. You have to be still so that you can know him better.
Psalm 25:14 says, “Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (TLB).
The Bible says that friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him—in other words, those who slow down and spend time with him.
What would a friendship be if you never invested your time in it? Friendships need attention. You will never know God intimately if all you do is come to church services. You’ve got to read God’s Word and ask him, “God, is there anything you want to say to me?” You don’t have to use any fancy phrases or words. Just talk to him authentically. And then listen!
The Bible says it like this in Matthew 6:5-6: “When you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production . . . Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (Matthew 6:5-6 The Message).
The key to a friendship with God is deciding whose friendship you want most.
You don’t have time for everybody to be your friend. You’ve got to decide who you want most to be your best friend.
The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:21, “Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life—they don’t know God”(TLB).
If you’re not a friend of God, it means you care about something else more. James 4:4 says, “You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes God’s enemy” (NCV).
If you’re going to be a friend of God, then you’ve got to care about what he cares about and stop caring about the things he doesn’t care about. God doesn’t care about your image. He’s not interested in your status. He’s interested in your character—not how you look but who you are. An essential step toward friendship with God means choosing to value what God values.
The Risk of Being Real
Our friendship with God deepens when we risk being open and honest as we talk with Him.
No more faking feeling fine.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Christians like to quote this scripture when things get a little tough but if we’re honest, when they don’t turn around right away it seems that God’s plans were not prospering you at all; in fact, it feels like they’re hurting you. What is He trying to do? Make you tough? Make you stronger? How were these plans bringing you hope? Where is all this peace and prosperity He promised?
When we become convinced that God is really our friend, which is what we talked about last week we really know how He feels about us and the we can talk to Him about anything.
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
One of the things that keeps us from being bold is the common misconception that believers should be perfect. We fake it pretending to have our lives in order, smiling and saying all the right things. At times we’re ashamed to admit our shortcomings. Salvation through Jesus, however, doesn’t change the fact that sin is present in our life. When we’re born again, God forgives us and sees us as righteous. In our very first session, of this study, we learned that God hears the prayers of the righteous.
Striving for perfection actually can be a trap that pulls us away from living a godly life. The world sees successful individuals as powerful and self-sufficient, but Jesus didn’t care about these qualities. Instead, He wants people to be aware of their own brokenness.
We shouldn’t cover up your emotions in order to look like a “good Christian.” Without becoming open we are unable to rely fully on God. When we realize this we can passionately seek Him, obey Him, and confess and repent when we miss the mark.
I’m sure that each of us has been hesitant to say what you really thought, felt, needed, or longed for. I was hesitent to really open up when Ruth was sick. Another time was when the owner of the compay that I helped to build shut down the Business Develpment group, that led. I was PO’d but I never really opened up and said that to anybody, including God, for a long time. People would say things like you’ll find something better, or you’re very talented, don’t worry. So I didn’t talk to anybody about it because if I really opened up I would have made myself vulnerable. I needed to open up but when you do that you become vulnerable. So if we want our prayer life to go beyond where we are now we are going to have to risk opening up to our friend, God.
It’s one thing to tell a friend, like in my case about the layoff, I was shocked by the layoff and I’m going to need to find a job quickly, that’s easy. But what you really need to be able to do with a friend is say; I spent 10 years helping this company from 9 employees, to over a hundred and from annual sales of $100,000 to contracts valued over $100,000,000 and they do this! I’m pissed and I feel that I was used.
Well we can look to Jesus as our example of being open with our friends. He permitted Himself to express a full range of emotions, positive ones like joy, love, and compassion and some we would consider negative like, anger, indignation, and impatience.
Matthew 26:36-46 (NKJV)36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."
What emotions does He display? - sorrow, frustration, impatience, fear, maybe anger
Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV)13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.
What emotions does He display? - he was displeased, angry,
Mark 10:17-22 (NKJV)17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.19 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "20 And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
What emotions does He display? - love, compassion
Luke 7:11-15 (NKJV)11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
What emotions does He display?- compassion
Luke 10:17-24 (NKJV)17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing1 shall by any means hurt you.20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see;24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it."
What emotions does He display? - joy
Luke 19:41-44 (NKJV)41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,42 saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
What emotions does He display? - sorrow
John 2:12-17 (NKJV)12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business.15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."
What emotions does He display? - anger
John 11:32-44 (NKJV)32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.34 And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."35 Jesus wept.36 Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"37 And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?"38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."
What emotions does He display? - anger, sorrow, joy
If you had been in the Garden and you saw these emotions from Jesus, your leader, how would you respond?
Jesus didn’t ignore His emotions or keep them hidden, He shared Himself openly. We should also think about Him wanting us to be open with Him.
That’s not alway easy though. It’s easy to talk about joy, but in real life we struggle with sin, injustice, pain, and temptation. These thing arouse feelings that aren’t comfortable. It seems riskier to be honest to when we feel isolated, guilty, irritated, intimidated, ashamed, angry, inadequate, rejected, or worthless.
We may be hesitate to open up because, in the past we’ve gotten negative responses. One of the typical ones is, “this too shall pass” (which isn’t in the bible by the way, read my post on that). Once you open up and get that kind of response you are not likely to open up again. Thats why people don’t open up to their Christian brothers and sisters or our church leaders. So they put on an act and even stop coming to church.
Jesus came to earth as a man so that He could experience everything that we do and still not sin. He was open, didn’t hide his emotions, including the negative ones. We Already talked about some of them.
Hebrews 2:17-18 (NKJV)17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NKJV)14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
What are some of those benefits of an open honest conversation with Jesus?
He experienced everything that we experience, took it all, and never wavered, He never gave in, and no matter what I go through I have Him as my example and because He went through everything that I go through I can tell Him exactly how I feel about everything.
I’m using the book “Prayer Begins With Relationship” for this study and there is a story the author tells about herself. She lost all the files on her computer. There were years of work in those files and she was told that they could not be recovered. She was heartbroken and knew that it would take a very long time to recreate them and that some of them would never be recreated. While distraught over the loss of her files she didn’t pray about it because she felt stupid since she didn’t backup her work as she knew she should have, because she didn’t know how. Through a series of things that happened with her church friends who had computer problems too, who did pray and asked others to pray for and with them, she finally decided to say to God “Okay then, will You please help? She sensed Him asking her “How do you feel about your lost files?” Her response was “What does it matter how I feel?” She felt that God asked again “How do you feel about your lost files?” That’s when she realized that she didn’t want to talk to God about her computer problems because she felt stupid. God already knew that she didn’t feel that she deserved His help because she was so stupid. She felt that He said “I do not treat you like that” I long to redeem your mistakes. I want to help those who cannot help themselves. I am full of mercy and compassion, and I want to rescue you. Will you let Me?”
Less than a day later a friend asked her if she wanted him to take a look at her computer and see if God would help him find her files and he was able to do it. The point was that God was trustworthy to hear her, just like a good friend, when she risked opening up about what was really going on. God wasn’t content in meeting just the practical need of the lost files but also her need to talk about how she really felt.
Why was that important.
God’s waiting caused her to repent of her shortcoming, He wanted her to realize that she has responsibility for somethings herself and when she blew it to admit it and ask for help.
This is the prayer of a man who is not afraid to let his friend know what he is feeling.
Psalms 5:1-12 HCSB Listen to my words, Lord ; consider my sighing. Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to You. At daybreak, Lord , You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly. For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil cannot dwell with You. The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all evildoers. You destroy those who tell lies; the Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and treachery. But I enter Your house by the abundance of Your faithful love; I bow down toward Your holy temple in reverential awe of You. Lord , lead me in Your righteousness because of my adversaries; make Your way straight before me. For there is nothing reliable in what they say; destruction is within them; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongues. Punish them, God; let them fall by their own schemes. Drive them out because of their many crimes, for they rebel against You. But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them shout for joy forever. May You shelter them, and may those who love Your name boast about You. For You, Lord , bless the righteous one; You surround him with favor like a shield.
How would your prayer life change if you risked sharing honest feelings with God? How would your relationship change?
If you’re not emotional
If you feel that you are just not emotional you may want to try talking to Jesus about it. You may want to ask why it’s so important to acknowledge and express emotions. Then wait to see if He answers with why.
Or you could ask if I’m missing anything by ignoring my emotional side. Again wait for a response.
Or ask how your relationship with Him and others would be different if you were more open emotionally.
As He speaks to your spirit His response me come with a thought, word, scripture, a memory, or even a feeling. But remember also ask Him to confirm what you heard.
Here’s something else you can try. Just be honest.
You can start by saying something like “Jesus, I really don’t want to tell You this, but I guess You already know it; I feel pretty inadequate when it comes to whatever it is, so I’ve been avoiding talking about it. Or you could try saying “Jesus I don’t think I’ve ever told you this before because I’ve been afraid of what you’d say, but I really want to, then just say it. If you need help in identifying most negative emotions here’s a list;
Sometimes we are hesitant because we’re worried about how He will respond and we may not be ready for that. Well talk to Him about that too and wait for His answer to that.
Emotions don’t need to be the basis of our Christian faith, but emotions can be an incredibly powerful barometer for allowing us to assess those areas of our life where we may need some additional growth or healing, especially regarding spiritual matters.
What if we boldly acknowledged our feelings before God—even the aching questions and the deep hurts—and asked Him to help us understand what we were feeling?
What if we were truly honest with Him about our lack of emotional zeal and instead said, “God, help me to celebrate You with joy, not because of my earthly emotions but because of my faith-based, confident trust in the truth of who You are”?
After all, God created every part of us, including our emotions. As a good God who uses everything for His purposes, don’t you think He can use our most troubling questions and deepest pain to bring testimonies of great glory and power (that goes beyond our in-the-moment feelings)?
Our friendship with God deepens when we risk being open and honest as we talk with Him.
No more faking feeling fine.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Christians like to quote this scripture when things get a little tough but if we’re honest, when they don’t turn around right away it seems that God’s plans were not prospering you at all; in fact, it feels like they’re hurting you. What is He trying to do? Make you tough? Make you stronger? How were these plans bringing you hope? Where is all this peace and prosperity He promised?
When we become convinced that God is really our friend, which is what we talked about last week we really know how He feels about us and the we can talk to Him about anything.
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
One of the things that keeps us from being bold is the common misconception that believers should be perfect. We fake it pretending to have our lives in order, smiling and saying all the right things. At times we’re ashamed to admit our shortcomings. Salvation through Jesus, however, doesn’t change the fact that sin is present in our life. When we’re born again, God forgives us and sees us as righteous. In our very first session, of this study, we learned that God hears the prayers of the righteous.
Striving for perfection actually can be a trap that pulls us away from living a godly life. The world sees successful individuals as powerful and self-sufficient, but Jesus didn’t care about these qualities. Instead, He wants people to be aware of their own brokenness.
We shouldn’t cover up your emotions in order to look like a “good Christian.” Without becoming open we are unable to rely fully on God. When we realize this we can passionately seek Him, obey Him, and confess and repent when we miss the mark.
I’m sure that each of us has been hesitant to say what you really thought, felt, needed, or longed for. I was hesitent to really open up when Ruth was sick. Another time was when the owner of the compay that I helped to build shut down the Business Develpment group, that led. I was PO’d but I never really opened up and said that to anybody, including God, for a long time. People would say things like you’ll find something better, or you’re very talented, don’t worry. So I didn’t talk to anybody about it because if I really opened up I would have made myself vulnerable. I needed to open up but when you do that you become vulnerable. So if we want our prayer life to go beyond where we are now we are going to have to risk opening up to our friend, God.
It’s one thing to tell a friend, like in my case about the layoff, I was shocked by the layoff and I’m going to need to find a job quickly, that’s easy. But what you really need to be able to do with a friend is say; I spent 10 years helping this company from 9 employees, to over a hundred and from annual sales of $100,000 to contracts valued over $100,000,000 and they do this! I’m pissed and I feel that I was used.
Well we can look to Jesus as our example of being open with our friends. He permitted Himself to express a full range of emotions, positive ones like joy, love, and compassion and some we would consider negative like, anger, indignation, and impatience.
Matthew 26:36-46 (NKJV)36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."
What emotions does He display? - sorrow, frustration, impatience, fear, maybe anger
Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV)13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.
What emotions does He display? - he was displeased, angry,
Mark 10:17-22 (NKJV)17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.19 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "20 And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
What emotions does He display? - love, compassion
Luke 7:11-15 (NKJV)11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
What emotions does He display?- compassion
Luke 10:17-24 (NKJV)17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing1 shall by any means hurt you.20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see;24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it."
What emotions does He display? - joy
Luke 19:41-44 (NKJV)41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,42 saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
What emotions does He display? - sorrow
John 2:12-17 (NKJV)12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business.15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."
What emotions does He display? - anger
John 11:32-44 (NKJV)32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.34 And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."35 Jesus wept.36 Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"37 And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?"38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."
What emotions does He display? - anger, sorrow, joy
If you had been in the Garden and you saw these emotions from Jesus, your leader, how would you respond?
Jesus didn’t ignore His emotions or keep them hidden, He shared Himself openly. We should also think about Him wanting us to be open with Him.
That’s not alway easy though. It’s easy to talk about joy, but in real life we struggle with sin, injustice, pain, and temptation. These thing arouse feelings that aren’t comfortable. It seems riskier to be honest to when we feel isolated, guilty, irritated, intimidated, ashamed, angry, inadequate, rejected, or worthless.
We may be hesitate to open up because, in the past we’ve gotten negative responses. One of the typical ones is, “this too shall pass” (which isn’t in the bible by the way, read my post on that). Once you open up and get that kind of response you are not likely to open up again. Thats why people don’t open up to their Christian brothers and sisters or our church leaders. So they put on an act and even stop coming to church.
Jesus came to earth as a man so that He could experience everything that we do and still not sin. He was open, didn’t hide his emotions, including the negative ones. We Already talked about some of them.
Hebrews 2:17-18 (NKJV)17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NKJV)14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
What are some of those benefits of an open honest conversation with Jesus?
He experienced everything that we experience, took it all, and never wavered, He never gave in, and no matter what I go through I have Him as my example and because He went through everything that I go through I can tell Him exactly how I feel about everything.
I’m using the book “Prayer Begins With Relationship” for this study and there is a story the author tells about herself. She lost all the files on her computer. There were years of work in those files and she was told that they could not be recovered. She was heartbroken and knew that it would take a very long time to recreate them and that some of them would never be recreated. While distraught over the loss of her files she didn’t pray about it because she felt stupid since she didn’t backup her work as she knew she should have, because she didn’t know how. Through a series of things that happened with her church friends who had computer problems too, who did pray and asked others to pray for and with them, she finally decided to say to God “Okay then, will You please help? She sensed Him asking her “How do you feel about your lost files?” Her response was “What does it matter how I feel?” She felt that God asked again “How do you feel about your lost files?” That’s when she realized that she didn’t want to talk to God about her computer problems because she felt stupid. God already knew that she didn’t feel that she deserved His help because she was so stupid. She felt that He said “I do not treat you like that” I long to redeem your mistakes. I want to help those who cannot help themselves. I am full of mercy and compassion, and I want to rescue you. Will you let Me?”
Less than a day later a friend asked her if she wanted him to take a look at her computer and see if God would help him find her files and he was able to do it. The point was that God was trustworthy to hear her, just like a good friend, when she risked opening up about what was really going on. God wasn’t content in meeting just the practical need of the lost files but also her need to talk about how she really felt.
Why was that important.
God’s waiting caused her to repent of her shortcoming, He wanted her to realize that she has responsibility for somethings herself and when she blew it to admit it and ask for help.
This is the prayer of a man who is not afraid to let his friend know what he is feeling.
Psalms 5:1-12 HCSB Listen to my words, Lord ; consider my sighing. Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to You. At daybreak, Lord , You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly. For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil cannot dwell with You. The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all evildoers. You destroy those who tell lies; the Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and treachery. But I enter Your house by the abundance of Your faithful love; I bow down toward Your holy temple in reverential awe of You. Lord , lead me in Your righteousness because of my adversaries; make Your way straight before me. For there is nothing reliable in what they say; destruction is within them; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongues. Punish them, God; let them fall by their own schemes. Drive them out because of their many crimes, for they rebel against You. But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them shout for joy forever. May You shelter them, and may those who love Your name boast about You. For You, Lord , bless the righteous one; You surround him with favor like a shield.
How would your prayer life change if you risked sharing honest feelings with God? How would your relationship change?
If you’re not emotional
If you feel that you are just not emotional you may want to try talking to Jesus about it. You may want to ask why it’s so important to acknowledge and express emotions. Then wait to see if He answers with why.
Or you could ask if I’m missing anything by ignoring my emotional side. Again wait for a response.
Or ask how your relationship with Him and others would be different if you were more open emotionally.
As He speaks to your spirit His response me come with a thought, word, scripture, a memory, or even a feeling. But remember also ask Him to confirm what you heard.
Here’s something else you can try. Just be honest.
You can start by saying something like “Jesus, I really don’t want to tell You this, but I guess You already know it; I feel pretty inadequate when it comes to whatever it is, so I’ve been avoiding talking about it. Or you could try saying “Jesus I don’t think I’ve ever told you this before because I’ve been afraid of what you’d say, but I really want to, then just say it. If you need help in identifying most negative emotions here’s a list;
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Fear
- Insecurity
- Shame
- Embarrassment
- Inadequacy
- Emptiness
- Rejection
- Unworthy
- Anger
- Guilt
- Jealousy
- Inferiority
- Grief
- Hopelessness
- Condemnation
Sometimes we are hesitant because we’re worried about how He will respond and we may not be ready for that. Well talk to Him about that too and wait for His answer to that.
Emotions don’t need to be the basis of our Christian faith, but emotions can be an incredibly powerful barometer for allowing us to assess those areas of our life where we may need some additional growth or healing, especially regarding spiritual matters.
What if we boldly acknowledged our feelings before God—even the aching questions and the deep hurts—and asked Him to help us understand what we were feeling?
What if we were truly honest with Him about our lack of emotional zeal and instead said, “God, help me to celebrate You with joy, not because of my earthly emotions but because of my faith-based, confident trust in the truth of who You are”?
After all, God created every part of us, including our emotions. As a good God who uses everything for His purposes, don’t you think He can use our most troubling questions and deepest pain to bring testimonies of great glory and power (that goes beyond our in-the-moment feelings)?
5 Steps to Take When You Feel Far From God
Instead of allowing emotion to dictate our joy level let’s view our emotions as opportunities for deeper avenues of growth with a God who loves us at all times and through all experiences and emotions.
How does this happen? I believe it starts with five critical steps.
1. Authentically share with God all that you’re feeling, including your doubts and fears.
He tells us to give Him our cares and to trust Him with every part of our lives (1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30).
Pray aloud or write down in a journal everything that you’re feeling. Do whatever it takes to confess all the emotions to Him so that He can help you through them.
There’s no need to be formal or fancy when talking to God. Just be real.
Consider this: How can we follow God if we can’t be honest with Him about our biggest concerns and questions? I’m convinced that not only is He is big enough to handle our questions, but He uses our questions to deepen our relationship with Him through the situation.
2. Believe the truth that He is not far off, regardless of what your emotions tell you.
Sometimes life is incredibly hard and there seems little relief from the pain. My family and I are going through a season like that right now. It is tough, to say the least!
But during these times, we must not let our emotions take over and nullify the everlasting truths of God, such as:
God is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those with crushed spirits (Psalm 34:18).
He keeps us in perfect peace when we keep our eyes on Him and not on our circumstances (Isaiah 26:3).
He will not reject a broken and repentant heart (Psalm 52:17).
He restores the crushed spirit of the humble and revives the courage of those with repentant hearts (Isaiah 57:15)
The Lord is close to all who call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18-19).
He will never leave us or give up on us (Hebrew 13:5).
Write down evidence of His presence in your life, and listen as He guides you to a better understanding of the emotions that you’re feeling.
3. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life, including sinful habits, thoughts, or patterns, that may be separating you from Him.
Spend extra time reading the Bible and allowing the purity of Scripture to bathe your heart with what He calls “pure and righteous.”
Ask Him to show you areas where you need His help to live differently so that nothing can hinder your connection with God. Listen for his conviction and not the condemnation.
If He reveals things to you that need to change, be quick to repent and to change patterns in your life so that you can find healing and restoration.
4. Ask a trusted Christian friend or two to pray for you through this time.
You are not alone in this! Most of us go through these periods where our emotions feel in conflict with our faith.
I would encourage you to share your heart with a friend who can lead you to godly truth and who will commit to pray for you through this.
5. Keep seeking, keep believing, and watch His promises still come true (despite your waxing and waning emotions).
Be still and let Him do the work to heal and bring answers. Continue to believe in His trustworthy, never-failing promises.
We all will go through times in life where our emotions will betray us. We may not “feel” close to God but He is still there! Thank goodness that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)!
Next week we are going to talk about Upgrading Your View of God.
A skewed view of God shuts down the way we pray so we to relate to God as He really is. When we do that we become free and confident in prayer.
Instead of allowing emotion to dictate our joy level let’s view our emotions as opportunities for deeper avenues of growth with a God who loves us at all times and through all experiences and emotions.
How does this happen? I believe it starts with five critical steps.
1. Authentically share with God all that you’re feeling, including your doubts and fears.
He tells us to give Him our cares and to trust Him with every part of our lives (1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30).
Pray aloud or write down in a journal everything that you’re feeling. Do whatever it takes to confess all the emotions to Him so that He can help you through them.
There’s no need to be formal or fancy when talking to God. Just be real.
Consider this: How can we follow God if we can’t be honest with Him about our biggest concerns and questions? I’m convinced that not only is He is big enough to handle our questions, but He uses our questions to deepen our relationship with Him through the situation.
2. Believe the truth that He is not far off, regardless of what your emotions tell you.
Sometimes life is incredibly hard and there seems little relief from the pain. My family and I are going through a season like that right now. It is tough, to say the least!
But during these times, we must not let our emotions take over and nullify the everlasting truths of God, such as:
God is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those with crushed spirits (Psalm 34:18).
He keeps us in perfect peace when we keep our eyes on Him and not on our circumstances (Isaiah 26:3).
He will not reject a broken and repentant heart (Psalm 52:17).
He restores the crushed spirit of the humble and revives the courage of those with repentant hearts (Isaiah 57:15)
The Lord is close to all who call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18-19).
He will never leave us or give up on us (Hebrew 13:5).
Write down evidence of His presence in your life, and listen as He guides you to a better understanding of the emotions that you’re feeling.
3. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life, including sinful habits, thoughts, or patterns, that may be separating you from Him.
Spend extra time reading the Bible and allowing the purity of Scripture to bathe your heart with what He calls “pure and righteous.”
Ask Him to show you areas where you need His help to live differently so that nothing can hinder your connection with God. Listen for his conviction and not the condemnation.
If He reveals things to you that need to change, be quick to repent and to change patterns in your life so that you can find healing and restoration.
4. Ask a trusted Christian friend or two to pray for you through this time.
You are not alone in this! Most of us go through these periods where our emotions feel in conflict with our faith.
I would encourage you to share your heart with a friend who can lead you to godly truth and who will commit to pray for you through this.
5. Keep seeking, keep believing, and watch His promises still come true (despite your waxing and waning emotions).
Be still and let Him do the work to heal and bring answers. Continue to believe in His trustworthy, never-failing promises.
We all will go through times in life where our emotions will betray us. We may not “feel” close to God but He is still there! Thank goodness that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)!
Next week we are going to talk about Upgrading Your View of God.
A skewed view of God shuts down the way we pray so we to relate to God as He really is. When we do that we become free and confident in prayer.
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