Heavy emotions can feel like an undercurrent tugging us down into discouragement and depression, can’t they? We can keep trying to desperately cling to our only HOPE. But sometimes… Lord, I can’t hang on anymore…
I sometimes feel so overwhelmed with sadness over all the sorrow and suffering in the world, and this Covid pandemic has my emotions all over the map. But I often trap them inside. I feel compelled to show others I am strong enough to handle them on my own. Including God… I allow burdens, that of others and of myself, to weigh me down too much instead of truly surrendering them over to God who alone has the power to rescue, redeem, and restore.
I even fight against the way God chooses to redeem and revive. I forget not a tear is wasted. I forget that our hearts are transformed the most through suffering. I forget God has the power to paint beauty out of ashes.
Before this Covid crisis hit us, I downloaded a free devotional book about Finding God’s Presence in Everyday Living. When Jeanne Takenaka wrote it, she had no idea how fitting it would be for such a time as this.
One morning my heart nudged me to get back to reading it. The first words I read expressed my feelings:
“Have you ever felt like life was overwhelming you? Like thing after thing was piling on you, stealing your strength and leaving you gasping?” (Jeanne Takenaka)
Oh yes, that is how I feel, Lord! Please help us!
Then towards the end of the devotion:
“When the ground beneath us shifts, God’s mercy upholds us. He is always with us, in every season.We can find reassurance knowing our Father’s got us. He’s holding our hands and sharing His consolations with us when we need them most.” (Jeanne Takenaka)
Yes, Lord, I want to believe
Your mercy will hold us up!
I believe, please help my unbelief!
The ground beneath us has shifted drastically throughout this entire world. We may feel like we’re free falling into a deep, dark hole. Simple everyday things we thought we had control of have been taken out of our hands.
But God…
God’s got us, and His mercy will uphold us, no matter what we’re going through. So why am I still afraid?
You know how a well-adjusted child jumps into the arms of a loving father? Trusting with all his heart that Daddy will catch him?
When our trust has been so broken in life, even when we have come far on the journey of healing, fear can suddenly pop up. Lack of control over our lives may trigger fear of trusting others, even our Heavenly Father. Even when He invites us, “Come, My child. Jump into My arms. I’ll catch you and I’ll hold you closely in My loving arms. I won’t harm you. I’ll fight for you. So trust Me, My child! I’ve got this! Trust My way and My timing. Relax, let go of your grip on control, and surrender your heart and life to Me. Let yourself fall into My arms!”
Desperately, we keep holding onto some form of control. Is He really safe? Will He truly catch us? Will He hold us and get us through this?
God has promised He will!
“The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;
He drove out the enemy from before you,
And said, ‘Destroy!’”
Deuteronomy33:27 AMP
And you know what? God doesn’t condemn us when we slip and find ourselves not trusting Him again. He understands that struggling journey far better than any person in the world does. He accepts us just as we are in all our humanness. He understands how our emotions can take us all over the map. But He never gives up on us, even when we give up on Him. He holds His arms open wide and keeps coaxing us to let go and fall into His arms of mercy and unfailing love that He has promised will support us!
“Unless the Lord had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.”
Psalm 94:17-18
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on
Chained by your control
There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held…”
Freed to Fly 
Trudy, thanks for sharing my words. And I have to tell you, I love what you shared. The picture of God’s arms being wide open and us—His children—jumping into them is such a beautiful image to take with me into the day, the week, this crazy season we’re living in. We are loved by a safe, amazing Father. Thanks for that reminder, friend. Blessings and hugs to you!
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Yes, “we are loved by a safe, amazing Father,” Jeanne. I have learned this through years of healing, but that fear of trusting can still get triggered at times. I have learned that His compassion and patience with me in this area is boundless. Thank you again for being the prompt of this post. God used it to uncover and process some emotions I was keeping stamped down. Blessings and hugs to you, too! May God give us the grace to keep that image of God opening His arms wide and coaxing us to jump into them alive in our hearts! And may we keep jumping into His safe and loving arms!
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Thank you for your transparency Trudy. The roller coaster of emotions has been a ride like no other. I try to get off, not take the ride, trap them inside. This week my prayer journal has included prayers to bring to light what I’ve hidden so can be healed. May God keep showing you how you can trust Him and with this trust He envelops you in, may His peace resonate in you and through you. Hugs!
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“I try to get off, not take the ride, trap them inside.” Oh Lynn, I identify with this. Praying with you that God will bring to light what you hide so you can be healed! Your prayer for me brings tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for praying this for me. I so appreciate it. Hugs back to you! I hope and pray things are going well for you and your son. May God give us and our families strengthening grace and peace through this crisis!
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Thank you, Trudy, for some much needed inspiration and comfort. We all need to be reminded that God is right there with us, even in our fears, His arms open to receive each and every one of His children. Jesus has overcome the world, so we need to trust completely in Him to quell our fears.
Blessings!
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I’m so grateful you are inspired and comforted, Martha. I love what you say – “God is right there with us, even in our fears.” Blessings to you, too. May the truth that Jesus has already gained the victory for us calm us and bring us peace!
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Thank you Dear Trudy for sharing these honest and loving words. Oh, how thankful I am that Jesus understands my roller-coaster of emotions too. Just when I think that I’ve learned to let go and give the burdens to Him, I realize that I have been carrying too many of those burdens once again. I love the song that you shared. It was a relatively new song during the first summer of my Fibromyalgia diagnosis, and my counselor encouraged me to listen to it and to let Jesus hold me when every other kind of touching brought such pain to my inflammed nerves. Thank you for this sweet reminder today, that I needed so much. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear friend. xoxo
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It’s such a comfort that He understands our roller-coaster of emotions, isn’t it, Bettie? I can so identify with this – “Just when I think that I’ve learned to let go and give the burdens to Him, I realize that I have been carrying too many of those burdens once again.” It encourages me so that you understand this. Thank you for sharing this and your story concerning the song. What a beautiful encouragement from your counselor! So is your Fibromyalgia calmed somewhat since? I hope so! Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! Gentle hugs of your heart. 🙂 May we let go and let Jesus hold us and may we remember to give all our burdens to Him!
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Yes, Trudy, my fibromyalgia often has days where it lower now. It seems to flare up tho, whenever I have a flare with my other illnesses. But I am so thankful to have found some help in the whole process, to let Jesus hold me through all of the waves. Blessings of relief and safety for you today!
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I’m so glad there are days you have some relief, Bettie. I’m sorry you have so many illnesses. Letting Jesus hold us through those waves is such a blessing. We couldn’t live without Him! Thank you for your prayer of relief and safety. I pray the same for you! ❤️🙏🏻
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I agree, it’s easy to feel like we have to be strong and try to manage for ourselves. This is a great reminder that we can let go and trust God to catch us. I love that Casting Crowns song, and thanks for sharing Jeanne’s encouraging words too! Love and blessings to you!
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I’m glad you were encouraged, Lesley. I find Jeanne’s ebook comforting. I love that song, too. It’s hard to stop holding on and just be held by the One who is in control, isn’t it? It may feel like the world’s falling apart, but in His plan it’s actually falling together. Love and blessings to you, too! May we let go and trust God to catch us!
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Oh Trudy … what a comforting post! “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” is often in my heart these days. I love the scriptures you quoted, full of truth about our unchanging Heavenly Father. My emotions are all over the map at times too, and what a blessing it is to know that God understands. (I’m also looking forward to reading Jeanne’s ebook.) Hugs, friend.
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I’m so grateful you found comfort here, Lois. It’s such a trying time, and you have grief over the loss of your parents so heavy on you, too. I’m so glad God understands when our emotions run wild. I know you will find Jeanne’s devotions comforting, too. May God hold us closely to His loving, compassionate heart!
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Trudy, hi! I love that we don’t have to hold on to God. He holds us close, firmly, faithfully. May we continue to learn how to be at ease with Him, and welcome His loving embrace, His faithful presence.
Most especially right about now …
Bless you this afternoon, friend.
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“May we continue to learn how to be at ease with Him, and welcome His loving embrace, His faithful presence.” Amen! Thank you, Linda, for that prayer. And I love what you say about us not needing to hold onto God, because “He holds us close, firmly, faithfully.” Bless you, too! May God give us the grace to just be held and be at peace in Him!
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Trudy, this brought me to tears. I’ve been frequently sinking low in my emotions and health during these testing times we’re all living in. Although I’m accustomed to being housebound, the extra sadness, underlying stress and uncertainty added into the mix make each day feel like a battle to stay encouraged, exercise faith, and find hope and joy in challenging circumstances. I’m finding huge comfort in the words and song you have shared here. My soul really needed a reminder of “But God…” and how that alters everything else. Thank you, dear candid friend for giving us permission to feel the pain yet not stay overwhelmed. Love and grateful hugs to you! xo ❤
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Oh yes, Joy, I identify with this – “the extra sadness, underlying stress and uncertainty added into the mix make each day feel like a battle to stay encouraged, exercise faith, and find hope and joy in challenging circumstances.” I’m so glad you found comfort here. Often as I write, God helps me, too, to focus more on Him and the HOPE we can find in Him. That “But God…” is a powerful truth, isn’t it? It has often strengthened me in all my weaknesses. Love and grateful hugs to you, too! May we remember we’re never alone and may God help us to surrender our burdens to Him and just be held!
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Trudy,
This is just the reminder I needed. God is so good to catch us when we fall into HIs loving arms. Love and blessings and hugs to you 🙂
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I’m so glad this was a timely comfort for you, Dolly. “God is so good to catch us when we fall into His loving arms.” Amen! Love and blessings and hugs to you, too! May we let go and trust our faithful God to catch us!
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Beautiful words from Jeanne and from you! God never lets us go even when our emotions are a roller coaster. God is protecting you and surrounding you with peace right now. I am thankful for you, Trudy, and I am praying for you.
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Thank you so much, Mary, for your loving words and prayers. “God never lets us go even when our emotions are a roller coaster.” Such comforting thoughts! I am thankful for you, too! May we more and more open our hearts to God’s peace and God’s plan!
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Oh, how we need your words, Trudy! Thank you for both affirming all our feelings and for helping us not give up hope. Love you, friend!
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Thank you, Lisa. This is such an unprecedented time where we need all our feelings affirmed and we so need HOPE in Jesus. I love you, too! May we let go and fall into Jesus’ loving arms and pour out all our emotions to Him who cares and cries with us!
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excellent encouragements.
pinning this post.
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I’m glad you were encouraged, Mandy. It’s such a tough time, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing it. May we daily learn to let go and fall into our caring Father’s arms!
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Amen
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❤️🙏🏼
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Trudy, What beautiful works you have spoken with such honesty and love. Thank you for sharing with us at Grace & Truth. Maree
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Thank you for your kind words, Maree. May God give us grace to let go of our own control and fall into God’s arms that invite us so lovingly!
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