Don’t allow your emotions to lie to you.

There have been times in my life when the silence of God's voice was frightening. I prayed and prayed but could hear nothing. There was fear, longing, and worry. I cried until no tears were left, as I yearned for instruction from the Lord, often feeling pressed from every side, and uncertain in what to do. Those moments of silence didn't happen years ago when I wasn't saved or praying regularly or reading my Word. Those moments of seemingly "nothingness" occurred in the middle of my praying, attending church, and worshiping. The truth is, I've had many seasons where God was quiet. But just because it seemed that I was in a dry wasteland didn’t make it so. There have been days when my prayers were unanswered for weeks or months. There have been seasons when I couldn't hear God's voice as clearly as I wanted. There have been times of unspeakable joy when God's hand was so evident in my life, and He seemed so clear that it was unmistakable. But there have been other times when I was desperate to hear God's direction for my life, and I simply couldn't.

But here is what I have learned in those seasons of silence. Even in the midst of trouble and pain and what seems to be silence from God, He is faithful and dependable and trustworthy. He is teaching and growing and stretching me at all times. He is lovingly guiding me into new levels of territory in His Kingdom. Part of our walk with the Lord must be in learning to trust that His ways are best, even when we don’t understand. We cannot and should not be easily swayed by our emotions, being blown to and fro’ by our hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us they can be desperately wicked! Sometimes, our emotions may drive us to feel unseen, under-valued, or unheard. But it doesn’t make it so.

Here's the plain and simple truth. Just because we don't feel God doesn't mean He isn't near. Just because we do not see His plans in action doesn't mean they aren't in action! Just because we do not see the results of our prayers today or struggle to hear Him does not mean that much is not moving in the spirit realm. There are seasons of quiet. There are seasons when God is not offering a clear response, but wait upon Him. Do not be moved by emotions. Do not move hastily. Our Lord never does!

Points to Ponder:

• Have there been times when you “made something happen” because you were tired of waiting on the Lord and grew impatient? What was the result?