We all know life is not always flowers and roses. Sometimes it’s thick, tough, confusing, exhausting, relentless; literally a struggle.

Sometimes we can’t see how God is working or feel his presence, leaving us wondering, “Where is He?” “Has He abandoned me?” “Why won’t He help me?”

These are the times that our faith is tested and our perseverance is stretched, leaving us feeling frustrated and not being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It’s in these bleak and troubled times we need to remember that God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8) and He sees things and works in ways we cannot see nor understand (Isaiah 43:16-21).

But trusting that God, the creator of the universe, the creator of you and I, is so much bigger and loves us so much more than we can even comprehend, that we must trust that “this too shall pass” and although we may not be able to see outside of our personal storm or dark cloud, God has always been there, is in the trenches with you now, and will always be there…for all the days to come.

Thanksgiving and the holiday season can be so overwhelming and we can feel like everyone is happy, and life is perfect for them, and we should forget all of our troubles and put on a happy face, but that’s not always what’s true and what we’re feeling inside.

And God knows.

But even though God knows your thoughts and what you’re going through, when you’re IN the struggle, let God know. Verbally. Speak to Him. Not in your head, but out loud. Get to a quiet spot where you’re alone, and let it out. You’ll be amazed how different it comes out when you speak it, versus keep it in your mind. Although we can still communicate with God through our thoughts, our bodies need the outlet of verbally and audibly speaking to God.

Even though He already knows, he WANTS you to connect with Him. He desires a relationship with you and wants to HEAR from you, even if it’s not pretty and perfectly eloquent. It doesn’t matter! He’s more concerned about the relationship and communication than using the right words or the right posture or the right place. He loves you and wants to hear from you.

This Thanksgiving, if it’s not as holly and jolly as it seems to be for everyone else, it’s ok. God is with you and loves you. Reach out to Him and ask Him for comfort, intervention, to show Himself, to speak to you, to give you provision, guidance, companionship, Bible verses for comfort and encouragement, and to surround you with His love, reassurance and direction.

If you’re currently in the struggle and having trouble finding reasons to give thanks this holiday season, give thanks that God will not and has not abandoned you. He will be with you no matter what and deeply loves you. He is not afraid or offended by your questions, concerns and frustrations. He wants to hear from you.

As Paul writes in Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.“

Giving thanks for you and in all things,

~Melody