Often, I find myself talking to God through prayers, worship, and writing. This is what He wants of us, right? I pray, cry, worship, and listen to hear a response from the Lord. A response is not always given. Jeremiah 29:13 states, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all of your heart.” If this is the case, then why do we not always hear or find a response from the Lord when we call out to Him? I do not have a perfect answer to this question, but I do know that He is always near, He always listens, and He always cares. God is kind, thoughtful, and creative. God’s response comes in ways that we may never expect. This is where faith comes into play.

If God always reveals Himself to us in the same way, time, and framework, faith would not be required of us. Faith is a gift that we have all been given, and if we lean on our faith and utilize it, we will grow closer to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” When I am in the most challenging moments of my life, I lean on the Lord more than ever. What would happen if we utilized the Lord’s gifts like this no matter what our circumstances are? We would find freedom to rest in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:17 states, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

God does not guarantee that we will have an easy life here on this earth; He even tells us in Romans that our suffering brings us closer to Him, only if we allow it to. Romans 5:3-5 states, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” If we love Jesus, we will suffer. Why is this the case? Because the world hates Jesus. If the world hates Jesus, it will also hate His believers. James 1:2-3 tells us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” How can we remain joyful in suffering and affliction that we face here on this earth? We can be joyful because Jesus has overcome the world. He has overcome every trial, every heartache, and every question that we lay at His feet. John 16:33 states, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Writing these words and reading them out loud is easier said than done. When I find myself in suffering and affliction, I pray to God. Almost every single time I am going through a trial, God puts a deer in my path. Sometimes in the most unusual places. Other times He will place a rainbow in the sky. These are reminders to me that God is near, He is true, He is loving, and He is intentional enough to send me these signs here on earth to show me how loved I am by Him. Scripture tells us that God’s thoughts and plans are higher than our own. It also tells us that He is in control. We see one moment, and God sees the whole picture. We see a closed door when God sees the next hallway. God sees the purpose while we are in the pain. God has felt every emotion that we feel. God has experienced everything that we have experienced (except for sin). Take time out of your day to talk to God. Be held by Him. Be cherished by Him. Be carried by Him. Be loved, seen, and heard by Him. No one could do it better than Him.

“Deer” God,

Thank you for your promise to me that my suffering here on earth is nothing compared to the joy that I will one day face in eternity with You. Thank you for the opportunity to be hated by the world in return to be loved and captivated by You. Thank you for the truth that You give us faith as a gift to walk in as we face hard times. Thank you for giving me tangible truths that I can hold onto while I am here carrying out my purpose on earth. Thank you for giving me sweet signs such as a deer in my path that I can look at and smile knowing that You are near. Every time I see a deer or a rainbow I will be reminded of Your goodness and how You love me. Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.”

Amen.