For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5 NLT
Have you ever been through something that made you feel tired and let down? You might have been hoping that God would answer your prayers in a certain way and show Himself to you through help or support. During times like this, you may feel helpless and wonder if God has left you.
It is normal and natural to ask God, “Why?” Jesus asked “Why?” when He went to the cross, suffering and dying for the sins of the world. We just need to know that God doesn’t always answer our questions of “Why?” We may or may not know the answers to many of our questions on this side of heaven. But we know God has promised, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
God allows things to happen in our lives that don’t make sense to us but do make sense to Him. We can’t even begin to understand how much He knows about the present and the future. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Mental sickness can make us question whether God is good and whether His plans for us are good. It’s important to remember that as a Christian, you belong to God no matter what you’re going through. The Spirit of God lives in you through Christ, and He is your Guide. As you study and rely on the truth of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will produce in you the love, kindness, joy, peace, patience, longsuffering, and self-control you need to get past fear and doubt. 1 John 4:4 says, “But you belong to God, my dear children. The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” Here are a few thoughts and scriptures for when you wonder where God is while you are suffering from your mental health issues.
1. God is faithful. God will be faithful in all His actions toward us. He will constantly reveal His goodness, love, mercy, and grace. Psalms 117:2 says, “The LORD’s faithfulness endures forever.” You can trust that He will care for and provide for your needs daily. He’s like the lighthouse during the raging storm that never moves and guides us through the darkness.
2. God is in control. He guides our lives in good and perfect ways. Remember, God is working even when we think He is silent. The painful moments are being woven into a beautiful tapestry of His perfect plan and purpose revealed in our lives one day at a time. When your mental health feels out of control, remind yourself that God is in control. Read about how King David and others responded when things felt out of control so you can follow their example.
3. God is the God of all grace. No matter what we might endure, He provides us with His all-sufficient grace to help us with every obstacle that comes into our lives. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Grace is God’s gift of salvation for all those who receive it. This gift comes with the power and strength of God to face our mental health challenges and overcome them.
Dig Deeper
1. Read Philippians 4:6-8. What truth can you hold on to from this passage? How does this help you cope with your mental illness and suffering?
2. Take a few minutes today to record one observation of God’s faithfulness, care, and grace in your life.
