All relationships can be difficult at times, but they should not be destructive to our well-being. Learn the difference between a destructive pattern and a difficult season with this free resource, “Is This Normal? 15 Red Flags You May Be Missing in Your Relationships.”

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If God Really Loved Me …

September 23, 2019

“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

I wonder what would happen in our lives if we really lived in the absolute assurance of God’s love. I mean, as Christians we know He loves us. We sing the songs, we quote the verses, we wear the T-shirts and we sport the bumper stickers. Yes, God loves us.

I’m not talking about knowing He loves us.

I’m talking about living as if we really believe it.

I’m talking about walking confidently in the certainty of God’s love even when our feelings beg us not to.

I’m talking about training our hearts and our minds to process everything through the filter of the absolute assurance of God’s love. Period. Without the possible question mark.

Not too long ago, I had a conversation with a precious mom whose eldest daughter is nearing 30 and has never had a boyfriend. The younger siblings have all gone through the whole dating thing, and one is engaged to be married. The eldest daughter sat on the side of her mom’s bed recently with tears slipping down her cheeks and asked, “Why, Mom? Why can’t I find anyone to love me? What’s wrong with me?”

This mom was asking me for advice in helping her daughter process these questions. These feelings are real. These feelings are tough.

And I’m sure if I were able to untangle all the emotions wrapped in and around these questions, somewhere deep inside I would find this girl doubting God’s love for her.

I completely understand. In my own life, I have faced heartbreaking situations where I know God could step in and change everything in an instant. And when He doesn’t? It hurts. Deeply.

But here is what God continues to teach me — I must process disappointments through the filter of His love, not through the tangled places of my heart.

When I process things through the tangled places of my heart, often the outcome is, “If God loves me so much, why would He let this happen?”

Instead, when I process things through the filter of the absolute assurance of God’s love, the outcome is, “God loves me so much; therefore I have to trust why He is allowing this to happen.”

I took the mom’s hand who was asking for advice and told her to help her daughter rewrite the way she is processing this. It’s okay to feel hurt, lonely and sad. But these feelings shouldn’t be a trigger to doubt God’s love for her. They should be a trigger to look for God’s protection, provision and possible growth opportunities.

I know this can be hard. But what if we really lived in the absolute assurance of God’s love? Oh sweet sister, in whatever you are facing today, I pray Isaiah 54:10a over you, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet [God’s] unfailing love for you will not be shaken.”

Dear Lord, You are good. And You are good at being God. Therefore, I trust Your plan and believe that You’re allowing this to happen for a reason. It may be hard, but I’d rather be close to You through a thousand difficult moments than apart from You in a thousand good ones. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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11 Comments
  1. Feeling empty

    You will never know how much I needed this today. I am having a real difficult time in my marriage right now and I just don’t even understand it. If things had been bad for a while it would make since but I thought we had been getting along pretty good. I’ve been praying for him well our entire relationship but extra hard these last few months as I’ve been trying to get closer to God. Unfortunately, things took a spin that I know God was not a part of but I’ve had a hard time understanding why he has allowed it. I keep telling myself it is for the best because there is nothing I can do but I am just having a real hard time moving past it and just trusting God. Thank you for putting this out there today. I really needed it.

    Reply
  2. Jacqueline Swann

    I myself am that 30 y/o who is struggling with this very thing, and I pray that God gives me patience and guidance to follow His will and not my own path. He has a plan for me, and only He knows who that perfect someone is for me.

    Reply
  3. Erin Wilkie

    This is so good!! Thank you for the reminder to look at things thru the heart of Christ!

    Reply
  4. Laurie

    Thank you so much Lysa, this comes at a good time for me to hear these words! Would you please pray for me? This comes with a prayer for you, Art, your family and your ministry. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Priscilla Doremus

    Amen, my friend. God’s goal of holiness is so much deeper, so much greater than earthly happiness could ever be. ♥️

    Reply
  6. Linda Murphy

    Dear Lysa,
    I am reaching out to you today to ask for your prayers and love for a precious mother in my town, Thomson, GA. Her name is Tasha. She and 3 of her children were in a tragic accident last Thursday and she is the only survivor. Still in the hospital, she is battling severe pain from her injuries and is just facing the news she received when she woke up.
    Her faith is so strong. She is a hairdresser and ministers to everyone who sits in her chair. Now our little town is ministering to her in any way we can. So much love is everywhere. Last night her 18 year old surviving child even went to speak to our youth group because the kids were in school with his sister and brothers- middle school and high school. So many stories- The road will be tough.
    I know you are busy and I’m not even sure you will see this. But if you do, could you possibly get in touch with her? Our hearts are breaking for her.
    Linda Murphy

    Reply
  7. Stephanie Rouggly

    These are great words for me to read this morning. Starting off my week. In another valley. Life has been extremely difficult since 2009. I’ve experienced several trauma events. My husband just ask for a divorce in July, knowing I am sick. There is just a lot…. besides trying to heal from the past. Please pray for our family. Again, words of hope!! Thank you Lysa!!❤️

    Reply
  8. Lois K.

    I am reading your book Made to Crave and am finding a lot of comfort knowing God loves me and with him I can stop craving food, but crave him instead. I have lost 9 lbs this week and praise God everyday.

    Reply
  9. sabrina

    What a powerful message!!! Wow.

    Reply
  10. Lori

    It was God’s hand that led me to read this post today. How many posts involve heartbreak over singleness? I too have a beautiful twenty something year old who has never been on a date..she is surrounded by friends and family all either engaged, getting married or already married. And although this may bother her, at times I feel like it troubles this momma’s heart so much more..and yes, the hurt is deep for me too. I know she desires to be equally yoked as well as have a family someday..thank u for these words of encouragement.. it is tough..esp in the Christian world where so many couples get married young. There are days when I feel as if it’s even my fault.

    Reply
  11. S

    I am the 30+ year old with the same struggles. I really needed to see this today. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
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