Lifted to God
In times of hopelessness, it may feel like there is no one there to lift us up. However, we all have a God who is ready to hold each of us in His arms and alleviate the anxiety we feel.
A conversation with a close friend recently sparked a thought: What would it feel like if God reached down His great and mighty hand and picked us up? Would it be comforting? Where would He take us?
Many people today struggle with feelings of hopelessness or anxiety. They may innately feel like there is some higher purpose for them, but they may not know what it is. In times of hopelessness, it may feel like there is no one there to lift us up. However, we all have a God who is ready to hold each of us in His arms and alleviate the anxiety we feel. We need to spend time learning about Him and drawing closer to Him, believing that He can comfort us through anything we may face.
The God of all comfort
When we’re struggling, we need to pray for peace and discernment. We can sometimes forget that He is the “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Yet recognizing this fact is powerful and moving: He is the God of all comfort, He created comfort, He is comfort and He comforts us in all our tribulation, no exceptions. When you find yourself in any uncomfortable situation, talk to God about it. Pray for peace and discernment, and ask Him to guide you through each situation. No matter the size of the problem that you are facing, God can guide you through the struggles that life throws at you.
God wants us to call upon Him in troubles, but He also desires us to grow and work to overcome them through our own actions. Going into something without a plan or a purpose is a recipe for disaster. When there is a stressful event on the horizon, we shouldn’t remain unmoving in our actions and make no effort to be prepared for it. Look at the example of Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned. He had every opportunity to give up and to do nothing but sit in prison, but he didn’t. During these stressful times, he worked hard at whatever task he was given, and God rewarded him (Genesis 39:21-23). Ultimately, God delivered him into a great position of power.
Our part in being lifted
God expects us to work hard as well. Proverbs 13:4 says, “the soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” Sitting and doing nothing will result in nothing, while solid preparation as we face difficult situations produces fruit. Relying on God while actively working to grow through our troubles will yield the most positive results. These results can chase away the doubt and worry that can so easily crawl into our headspace.
We also need to make sure that when we ask God for protection and comfort, we ask in complete faith, with no doubt that He exists and will provide for our every need. God gives wisdom and knowledge freely; all we must do is ask Him for it (James 1:5). However, James also warns us that we must ask Him “in faith, with no doubting” (verse 6) when we ask for the wisdom, discernment and knowledge to navigate potentially distressing situations. We must not forget that faith in God and preparation are both essential for overcoming troubling times. Asking in faith shows God you believe that nothing will completely overwhelm you because God will be with you. What things of the world can be compared to His great love and protection?
Another tool God gives to help us overcome stress is having strong, godly relationships within our friend groups and families. Having a strong connection with fellow believers in the Church is a valuable asset that God provides for all of us to lean on in times of stress. How many times have you turned to a friend or a loved one when you needed support? They can provide a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand, or good advice. “Iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17) and surrounding yourself with truly caring loved ones may make all the difference in a trial. Remember God and remember the ones you love and those who love you. You are never truly alone.
A powerful answer
Let’s return to the question my friend and I thought about: What would it feel like if God reached down His great and mighty hand and picked us up? Where would he take us? To be suddenly picked up by God would be the most comforting feeling in the world. To be able to become like peaceful sheep, not worrying about the world or any daunting situation that faces us, but to melt into God’s arms, to be warmed by His love, seems so foreign and far away from us.
In considering this question, I stumbled upon a verse that summed up the answer perfectly. Isaiah 40:11 reads “He will feed His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.” What an amazing and, literally, uplifting verse that displays God’s great and awesome care for His flock! It is a flock that we are blessed to be a part of. As I read Isaiah 40:11, the realization dawned on me: God lifts us up on a daily basis, every time we follow Him and trust in Him. The idea of being lifted and held by God may feel far away from us, but we can have that peace and comfort every day as long as we continue to trust in God and nurture our relationship with Him.
Life can be stressful much of the time, and we all face trials. Between school, work and all of life’s responsibilities, things can seem overwhelming. However, we can spend time learning about God every day and drawing closer to Him with every lesson we learn and applying those lessons in our everyday lives. If we do this, continue praying to Him and effectively prepare as best we can for any situation, God will comfort us in everything we do. He will give us the wisdom we need to combat any circumstance, the words to speak when we may be fearful, and He will always be a watchful and caring Father. He is a Father who will never abandon us.
So, what does it feel like when God picks you up? The feeling of God picking you up is the feeling you experience after doing something challenging or after achieving a difficult task that you were worried about—after feats that are only achieved if you truly trust and have faith in God. Isaiah 40:11 is a wonderful verse, one we should keep in our minds, as it shows that no matter the situation, God will lead us. If we effectively prepare and have faith in Him, He will take us into His great and loving family, to spend eternity with Him as kings and priests. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, distraught or down-and-out, remember that God knows you and is there for you. When you draw close to Him, ask Him for peace and work to overcome difficulties, He will lift you up and, ultimately, bring you into His heavenly family.
Declan Watson
