Having a solitary place to go be with God can save you a life of mental anguish.
Like a lot of kids of divorce and remarriage, I didn’t always feel wanted. Watching my parents’ desperate pursuit of their own separate happiness, I felt part of the problem. If it wasn’t for me, I surmised, there would be less stress in their lives. Disagreements about my education, healthcare, and supervision aided this deception.
When the pressure (like an extra dose of neglect or abuse) got to be too much, I would walk to the neighborhood pond, sit on the big rock and watch the ducks. In that peaceful moment, I would talk to God. After that, I would always feel refreshed, like I could go back and endure one more day.
For years I wondered why I was given parents who could not meet my emotional needs. Then I heard a pastor say, “God needed the DNA of your mother and father to make you. It was their choice to mistreat you and God did not want them to do that. But He knew He would use it to make you stronger and a blessing to someone else.” As Romans 8:28 ESV says “And we know that to those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
This helped me begin to understand God’s love and purpose for me regardless of what my parents did. They didn’t have God in their lives. Neither did they look to the Bible to learn how to treat people, especially their family. What did I expect? They did the best they could with what they had.
In my time at the pond, I would tell God about my problems and ask Him for help. He always answered me with a feeling of peace and love. I shared with Jesus. I felt better. That’s how God was drawing me into a deeper relationship with Him.
Although for most of college I went my own way and forgot about God, I would soon begin searching for Him again. And He let Himself be found! I know He never left, just waited for me to let Him back in. “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 ESV.
Everyone needs a place where they can get away from the mundane chores, stress and worries of life to spend time with a merciful God, who knows all and loves them just the same.
When you are lonely, afraid, upset, or depressed, you can talk to someone who is always there for you, always understands and wants to give you the answers you need. He speaks through His Word. He speaks through nature. He speaks through other mature believers. He speaks through the peace and love we feel in our hearts after having been with Him. He cares and wants to help us in every way. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 ESV.
Create and then guard your time with Him. Don’t let anything interfere. We were created to have fellowship with the Almighty God who created the universe. This life is a journey to our ultimate destination of eternity in heaven with Him, if we accept Jesus as our Savior. In John 14:3 NLT, Jesus said, “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
Once you experience Him in that place, you’ll never want to leave. (Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8 NLT).
And after that, go ahead and step out, He has work for you to do and He will go with you. “…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9c NLT. You can talk to him anytime throughout the day, while you work, or when you’re falling asleep. He is always there for you.
The only person who can provide everything we need is God. He wants to bless us and since He made us, He knows what’s best for us. He is just waiting for us to come to Him and ask and receive His love, goodness and blessings.
God created us for fellowship with Himself, therefore nothing or no one will satisfy our souls like Him. So why look to anyone else? He is our everything. He’s our Father, Creator, Savior and Friend. He will help us in our time of need. When we delight in Him, He gives us the desires of our heart. (Psalm 37:4)
If we will spend time with Him, we will be refreshed and satisfied. He will give us courage to endure the tough times and wisdom to pursue our God-given dreams. Seek Him with all your heart. Never turn back. There is nothing better than being a friend of God.
I often wondered if my pond of sanity was private property. I never knew, but no one ever chased me away. No one even walked by during those times. I believe God gave me that quiet, undisturbed time with Him as a gift. Every day I pursue that peaceful place again and He still meets me there.
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