Jul 06
Today’s Truth
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV).
Friend to Friend
I sat on the floor playing a card game with my young son. It was shaping up to be one of the best summers 
ever. Steven was savoring every minute of the long hot days, our Golden Retriever, Ginger, had delivered seven adorable puppies, and after years of negative pregnancy tests and doctor visits, I had a new life growing in my womb.
In the middle of enjoying the moment with Steven, I felt a warm, sticky sensation that made my world stand still. A trip to the bathroom confirmed my greatest fear.
Later that day, as I sat in the doctor’s office listening to his condolences for the loss of this much-prayed-for child, all I could think of was God, how could You?
I drove home. Climbed into bed. Pulled the covers over my empty womb and my empty heart and cried. I was mad at God. If this is how You love me, then forget it. I gave God the silent treatment as if I could somehow pay Him back.
God and I had a lover’s quarrel that summer. Actually, I was the only one arguing. I felt betrayed by the One who was supposed to love me most. Even though I was mad at God, I knew in the deepest parts of me, that He loved me and was somehow going to use all this pain for good—but I sure didn’t like it.
When we experience shattered dreams, broken relationships, tragic losses, or unfulfilled longings, it can be difficult to feel God’s presence, to see His hand, and to hear His voice. Glory moments cease when we close our eyes in pain and tune out God in anger. I know that’s what happened to me.
That doesn’t mean that God isn’t there. It only means that the sadness in our own hearts has drawn the shades and locked the doors. We question whether we even want to live in union with God if this is where the path leads. We tend to wriggle out of His arms like an angry child or slip out of His embrace like a disgruntled lover, all the while hoping He will pull us back in and tell us that we have simply misunderstood.
Men and women throughout the Bible voiced their disappointment when God didn’t act as they had hoped. David cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1).
Habakkuk cried out: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2).
Even Jesus, when He hung on the cross, did not call out the comforting words of the 23rd Psalm, but the agonizing words of the 22nd.
And while we complain of God’s silence or seeming indifference during difficult times, He is always there working behind the scenes in ways we may never understand.
Three months after the loss of my second child, I broke my silence with God and prayed a prayer similar to Elisha’s. “Oh God, please open my eyes to see Your glory in this situation. If I could just see her. Please Lord, give me a glimpse.”
And then God pulled back the curtain in my mind and I envisioned this child, healthy and whole and playing at the feet of Jesus. She was surrounded by God’s glory face-to-face. Radiant resplendent glory. Not an ounce of sadness to be seen.
The Bible says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen (our circumstances), but on what is unseen (God’s presence). For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18, parentheses mine).
One day, it will all make sense. Until then…we trust. And when we have the faith to keep our eyes open during the dark times, God will scatter moments of sudden glory where we sense His presence like stars in the inky sky. We hold fast and continue following Jesus—even when we aren’t sure where that may lead.
Let’s Pray
Lord, I’ll be honest, sometimes I don’t really like how my life is playing out. But this I do know, You are in control and Your ways are always good.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Open your Bible and read 2 Kings 6:8-22 (especially vs.17) What was going on in the spiritual realm that Elijah’s servant didn’t see initially?
What does that tell you about what is going on all around you and in your life?
More From the Girlfriends
Do you long to experience God’s presence in your everyday life? Here’s some good news. He longs to speak to you even more. The question is, how do we hear Him? If you want to experience more glory moments…moments when God makes His presence known, check out Sharon’s book, A Sudden Glory: God’s Response to Your Ache for Something More.
© 2022 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Thank you for sharing such a personal story. It brought tears to my eyes as I remembered my own experience with miscarriage. It is comforting to know that some day I will see my child again.
Thanks so much for this devotional…”One day, it will all make sense. Until then…we trust.”
This statement, along with Paul’s 2 Corin. 4:18 reference, is a great reminder for me, that God is always working and I have to believe that!
Amen.
Thank you for the devotional this morning.It has blessed my heart, just what I needed this morning. One day we will understand. God has a plan for each of us. Thank you for scripture and words of encouragement.
So glad you’re part of GiG!
I am struggling with the role that God plays in tragedies. My spouse died a tragic death and I hear and read mixed beliefs about why it happened. Do we have free will or is everything predestined bu God. Could you please share your feelings on this topic? Thank you so much!
I know that is so hard. I’m so sorry. There are many unknowns in life, but we can know that one day it will all make sense. Until we trust God with it all.
I have been with You, Beth and Mary in devotions for years. Your “Girlfriends in God ” start my day every morning. I have also shared some with my opening devotions and prayers in my church meetings. Thank you for keeping me grounded in Jesus. Bye the way, I’m now 83 years old and a gentleman.
Peace and love 8n Christ Jesus. Jon
Wow! Welcome as a guy-friend in God.
Sharon your message this morning provided a time of reflection for my own life. I have been praying for a breakthrough to restore the broken relationships with family members. I took the time to understand and truly appreciate God’s work and love for us.
As I examine my life and all of the mercy and compassion provided to me from my Heavenly Father, I realized that I don’t allow God to follow through with his plan. My life’s pattern has been to lay my burdens at the feet of Jesus. Most of the time I take burdens back once I see even the smallest victory. My response is “Thank you Father God for your goodness, I can take it from here”. This attitude is a plan to fail! God doesn’t need my help,but he deserves my grateful heart for the entire process of answered prayer no matter what the outcome might be!
My song; ” You take what the enemy meant for evil, and you turn it for good” , “I`m going to see a victory because the battle belongs to you Lord”! See a Victory by Elevation worship. Blessings Debbie
I love that song too.
Sharon, this was such a beautiful, powerful devotional! I cried and I laughed! I don’t often comment, but I had to let you know how this impacted me. Thank you, and God bless you and your family!
Thank you sweet friend.
I’m so very sorry that you went through the heartbreak of miscarriage. I never went through the heartbreak of miscarriage but my 19 year old daughter died 12 hours after a horrific car accident.
I, too, was angry at God. To be honest, I was disgusted with him. How and why would he take her from me? My only daughter. That was 19 years ago and I still have my bad days where I am angry with God. Everytime I hear of an acquaintance or friend’s daughter that has just got married or has had a baby, I can sometimes feel anger nipping at me that I feel for God. And then the last thing I want to do is pray to him. But I know, in my heart of hearts, that God has his reasons for everything. Nothing is accidental or a mistake, but I still don’t like it. I picture my daughter in heaven taking care of the animals, she loved animals so much. One day my soul will leave my body so I must honor and love God. I want so badly to unite with my beautiful daughter in God’s glorious heaven. Thank you for sharing your painful story. It is devotionals like this that remind me that other women suffer the same heartache that I do. God bless you.
A sister sent this email to me and it has truly blessed my soul! I had brain surgery several years ago and felt con fused about what God was doing in my life as I had just started walking in what I felt he was calling me to do. I had to overcome the confusion, fear, and disappointment. I am realizing that event has changed my life for the better as I look over rmy life now, that I am living with a greater appreciation for Him, and with intentional living, making His name great in the earth for all thats He has been and all that He has promised to be. May God continue to use you for His glory sis!
A sister sent this email to me and it has truly blessed my soul! I had brain surgery several years ago and felt con fused about what God was doing in my life as I had just started walking in what I felt he was calling me to do. I had to overcome the confusion, fear, and disappointment, and it was HARD. Daily, I realize that event has changed my life for the better beacause as I look over my life now, I know that I am living with a greater appreciation for Him, and try to daily practice intentional living,by making His name great in the earth. This is my reasonable service for all that He has been to me and for all that He has promised to be. May God continue to use you for His glory sis!