Have I Been Forgotten?

There’s a phrase you often hear from millennials: “When poop hits the fan.” Perhaps you have heard someone say it, or maybe you’ve uttered the words yourself. What do you do when it feels as if all you’ve ever known or wanted, is a mess? When life isn’t panning out in the way in which you would have preferred? When you feel like you’ve lost control?

Picture it. Your life is a mess. Endless responsibilities. Stress overwhelming you from a variety of sources. You feel as if your prayers aren’t being answered, or much less heard. You’re down. Discouraged. Exhausted. Chaos is ensuing.

I get the struggle.

I recently finished up a blog series in the book of Philippians. It’s nothing like getting a dose of your own medicine. It’s extremely humbling and I know God intentionally placed the words in front of me for a reason. A reminder that He isn’t far away.

During the last week of the study, I wrote on the theme of contentment, based on Philippians chapter four. It was a topic that honestly, I wasn’t feeling, nor did I want to discuss. Much less be called out on. I wasn’t living a contented life, but if I was honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

I’m not the only one who gets a little antsy when things, circumstances, or situations are happening outside of my control. When life seems overwhelming and the responsibilities are endless. When it seems as if everyone else’s prayers are getting answered but your own.

As I wrote previously, contentment carries the definition of an overwhelming desire of having more than enough. All I need, just not all I want perhaps. Whether we are feeling it or not, that’s how God provides. His answers to our prayers may not be in the way in which we would want, but are likely in just the right way for God.

I know so many people, myself included, who are walking through tough seasons. Whether it’s a season of waiting, grief, growth, or new beginnings, hard is not always easy, or enjoyable.

I’m thankful we serve a God who hears all of our prayers and walks with us through everything life sends our way. No matter how out of control things may feel, there is a plan. As my counselor frequently reminds me, we may not get an answer on this side of Heaven. We may not understand the series of events until we reach eternity.

Though I may be in the thick of waiting, I see glimmers of hope in the reality of Heaven. Of eternity on the horizon and reunification with my unborn baby. God is near to me in my waiting and He is near to you, too. Don’t lose hope. Heaven is coming.

Psalm 130, NLT

From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.

Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?

But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.

He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin.