Five Truths to Live By

Gold Brush Stroke

I never went so far as to doubt God’s love existed, but there was a season in my life I did question whether that truth pertained to me.…

truths of God's love

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Stumbling through the darkened woods, my soul screamed for justice and fairness. Where was God when I needed Him the most? Why would He abandon me and the tiny life that had been growing in me? Didn’t He care?

My tirade continued that evening until exhausted I sank to the damp coolness of earth.

My heart lay in pieces. Another precious life, a part of me, had been taken for no reason I could fathom.

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During those tumultuous years of pregnancies and miscarriages (punctuated by four joyous live births), I kept up my questions, my accusations of a God I knew existed yet felt only distantly.

Did He fall asleep periodically, just when one of my babes were developing? Or was He busy elsewhere?

From my early days, I’d been taught God loved me. But it is so easy to doubt.

In fact, it is oddly tempting to hold onto that doubt, to grip it tightly and make it my permanent companion, to maintain a blind eye to the truth of His love.

But the Lord is full of grace. And into my life, He sent a doubt-breaker, a sight-restorer in the name of Rachel.

My third living child, Rachel was born with significant special needs, revealed over several years. As she grew, I couldn’t help but focus on the wonder of this sweet girl, and the Creator’s goodness began burning a hole through my selfish blindness.

Although the days weren’t always easy, Rachel brought (brings) immeasurable joy to me.

Such joy in the midst of what some would deem tragedy forced me to consider that God’s love and presence would not always manifest itself initially in ways I see as blessings.

His sovereign will may not always be what I would choose.

The loss of five of my little ones before I could even caress them is not something I would ever welcome. Nonetheless, it doesn’t change the truth of God’s love for me—and you. It just means our perspective is skewed.

We only see a tiny bit of the Father’s big picture.

Many years and miles separate me from those nights of screaming in the damp woods. But there are still times I wonder why He chose to give and then take away so quickly. I still misconstrue many of His blessings.

However, I’ve learned several important truths that allow me to experience joy and security even in uncertain circumstances:

  1. God’s faithfulness does not depend on my feelings.
  2. His love is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
  3. He is near even if I can’t feel Him.
  4. His will is always for my best; it just doesn’t always feel like it.
  5. God’s Word is truth whether I choose to believe or not.

Truths to remember: God’s faithfulness does not depend on our feelings. His love is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is near even if we can’t feel Him. His will is always for our best. God’s Word is truth whether I choose to believe or not. Share on X

So don’t let your feelings mask the truth. Wrap your heart around the joy of God’s everlasting love for you.

Don’t let your feelings mask the truth. Wrap your heart around the joy of God’s everlasting love for you. Share on X

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–29).

Reflections: Has God ever felt distant? What would you suggest to others fighting the grip of doubt?

By His Grace,

Julie

7 Comments

  1. Amy Alves on July 25, 2012 at 6:37 am

    Good Morning Sister!
    Thanks for sharing some more of your heart and story! This Christian life is an amazing journey and filled with His mysteries! Believing in His sovereignty and love along with you today girl! ~ Blessings from Maine, Amy 🙂

    • juliesunne on August 1, 2012 at 11:04 am

      Sorry, I hadn’t responded before this, Amy. I was on vacation with family and didn’t have access to Internet. Your encouraging comments and friendship are much appreciated. Hope you enjoyed your blessed week and are finding the one before you joy filled. Blessings! By the way, we visited Maine in 2002 and loved it.Such beauty–God’s glorious creation!

  2. Dawn Whitmore on July 25, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Hope you are enjoying the canoeing and stuff. Did you get to skype with Rachel on Sunday?

    • juliesunne on August 1, 2012 at 11:08 am

      I did and I did, Dawn. Thanks for asking. Our vacation was fabulous–a much-needed time of peace and quiet. Our skype connection wasn’t very good, but she blew me kisses and I cried: it was enough. We’re driving home tonight, and I’ll see her then. Are you reunited with your family, yet? Blessings.

  3. Linda Smith on July 25, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    “His sovereign will may not always be what I would choose.” ~ Julie – I love seeing how God is using your “time apart”…it spills out!

    • juliesunne on August 1, 2012 at 11:09 am

      Amazing isn’t it, Linda. God doesn’t waste anything!

  4. […] me, I hid in anger and confusion, desperately wondering if the Lord cared about my circumstances yet not really wanting to […]

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Julie Sunne

Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.

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