Refuge of Grace

Do you ever struggle to pray in difficult seasons because you feel God is far away, so you don’t cry out to Him? God’s nearness is something I struggle to believe and feel, especially in difficult seasons. In His kindness, the Lord illustrates His nearness as I watch my daughter at the playground. I invite you to join me, friend, and I pray your heart is comforted by the truths found in His Word .

Bundled in winter coats and hats, breath pluming in the air, we set out hand in hand on a mother-daughter adventure. My almost six year old recently gained confidence to make the solo jump from the bar to the fireman pole on the playground. Ready to show off her new skill, she trots over to the pole. Even though she can do it on her own, my close proximity multiples her confidence. “Mom, watch me!” she proclaims, her breath floating atop the chilly air. “Okay, I’m right here. You can do it,” I reassure her. My presence gives her the assurance she needs to make the quick drop to the thawing ground below. Full of confidence, she hurries to her next adventure.

A little while later, I glance over to the pole’s pinnacle and see her, arms outstretched, ready to jump. Suddenly, her face flashes with worry. “Mom, I really need you. I can’t do this by myself.” Feet squelching in mud, I quickly return to my post, ready to support my daughter.

Just like my worried almost six year old, I am often there, my face fixed in anxiety, lies murmuring: God isn’t there, you’re alone. However, what did my daughter do in that moment of anxiety? She called for her mom. And what can we do in those moments? We can call to our Heavenly Father. Psalm 145:18 says,

In this psalm, God’s Word tells us when we cry out, He is near. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, near means, “in a close or intimate manner.” When we speak to God, He is intimately close to us. In these painful moments when I cry out to Him, I crave intimate connection, and God lovingly provides this desire.

Well-known and beloved preacher, Charles Spurgeon, writes on the latter part of this verse in his commentary on Psalm 145. He describes crying to God in truth as doing so with humble integrity. We are humble as we relinquish our pride by acknowledging God’s sovereignty over the situation. We pray with integrity as we declare, “the truth in our hearts.” In the deepest pit of depression, I did not feel I had the truth in my heart. My biblical counselor lovingly reminded me even if I don’t feel the truth right now, it doesn’t mean I don’t believe the truth; depression and anxiety can be misleading. Take heart friend, we can still believe the truth, even when our feelings tell us otherwise.

Just as I rushed to the aide of my daughter when she called, our Heavenly Father does the same for us, more perfectly than I could ever do as a mom. May we find comfort to cry out with humility and truth-filled hearts, trusting God is intimately near. And His nearness will provide us the confidence and comfort we need to make the jump in this hard season.

Let’s call out to the Lord together, friends, and trust His nearness.