I wrote this note to myself a few years back when I was really struggling, and I wanted to share it with you:
“She was in the middle of this weird season. Not really sure how to feel or even what she needed to do to get out of this funk that made her feel so stuck. She tried including herself in many social events, even signed herself up for some classes at her local gym. She wanted with everything in her to get away from the loneliness that seemed to follow her. The busyness of her schedule didn’t seem to affect the late nights that seemed to keep her up at night. She longed for clarity in understanding this new transition that left her feeling so isolated — so alone. As she continued through these long days that seemed to weigh heavy on her, she began asking herself the questions that brought tears down her cheeks,
God, am I not good enough? Is there something I seem to be missing? Something I need to be doing?
Is there something wrong with me?”
There was a season when I felt like I was far away from God. It was as though God was ignoring every prayer and thought of mine. I was longing for His presence, yet somehow it was as though I drifted even farther away. If you have ever felt this way, please know you are not alone.
As my mind began to plant seeds of doubt and I began to question if God was really here for me, I was reminded of this very verse, “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).
God will never leave me. He is for me and will always be with me. No matter how far I feel from Him, He is present. Even when seeds of doubt try to take root, I must not water them. I keep His promises rooted and engraved on my heart. Never will He leave me. Never will He leave you.
Let’s pray:
God, thank You for never leaving me. No matter how far away You feel, I know that You are for me — I know that Your presence is with me. Replace my doubt with Your everlasting love and joy, Lord, and help me to see Your works in my life. Amen.
This is an entry from my new devotional journal, which was birthed out of one of my darkest seasons. It is my hope to encourage those who have ever felt the way I once did. As you are allowing your roots to go deeper, I pray that you stay connected to the Source, relying completely on God. Let Him be who you lean into for your strength and guidance.
May you grow and live deeply rooted (from Colossians 2:6-7).
–This article is written by Sopha Rush. Sopha is a Jesus lover, author, and the founder of Live Deeply Rooted. She loves keeping it real and sharing her experience of motherhood, marriage, mindset, and ministry.
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I need to hear this prayer: “God, thank You for never leaving me. No matter how far away You feel, I know that You are for me — I know that Your presence is with me. Replace my doubt with Your everlasting love and joy, Lord, and help me to see Your works in my life. Amen.”
I loved this article because I am in this season right now. I’m trying to climb out of the hole and I think this devotional would help me tremendously.
Love the encouragement picture that sends off doubt can’t be watered. I’ll remember that.
I would love to get a copy of her book, I know I won’t win a copy, so will leave comment, I have wonder what’s my purpose and calling for me life, I am widow, a pastor wife widow. I am a retired person, over 65.
Def needed that this morning. I feel like as women we constantly doubt our worth bc we just go go go and do do do. It’s never good enough in our own eyes so we feel like it’s not good enough for God either. We have a ton of lies and doubts go through our heads on a daily basis. This was good truth for the morning to focus on.
Thank you I needed to hear this today . Feeling so not myself lately god is always with me Amen
We (I) tend to be excellent waterers of doubts & fears yet The Master Gardener waters only the truth & comfort. May I remember to pay attention to what I am watering! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this truth. We know that truth yet at times we still allow the lies of the enemy to enter our minds. Thank you for this reminder. Amen!
Something I needed to hear today! Please if I can ask for prayers for my Mama (Linda) and myself (Amy). We are going through are hard storm right now. We need help only Jesus can give!
Dearest Heavenly Father, surround Linda & Amy as they face this storm. Assure them they are not alone, that You are with them, for them now & forever. Allow them to see You in the details of this hard space. Protect them from weariness & discouragement. Magnify Yourself to be their joy & strength. Draw unbelievers to Yourself & fatten their faith roots as they journey. In Your great name & for Your glory I pray, Jesus. Amen. (((0)))
I have prayed for you Amy and Linda! Hold onto God with all your might. You are not alone! God is always faithful and will see you through!
Amy & Linda,
Abba Father Please help these two women through the storm they are facing. Guide the steps & give them a discerning heart to know your will in this situation. Send them your peace & comfort. Make their roots go deep into the words of God. Make it known that they are never alone & you will ALWAYS be there no matter what. Give them strength to endure this trial & come out on the other side. AMEN!
Thank you Sopha for sharing your journal and inspiring post!
Thank you for encouraging us to sink our roots deep into God, He is what will sustain us. Amy, I’m praying for you and your Mama and asking Jesus to work miracles in the midst of the storm.
Beautiful words and so timely! I believe we all struggle with this, but yet I know, HE will never leave me or forsake me. May we live each day like we really Believe this truth!❤️
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I have been questioning so many things in my life. I feel alone. I have not been trying to get closer to God I have drifted away from Him. Thank you for this reminder!
Thank you for this. I am feeling distant from God as my family continues their life without me in it. I continually question how anyone can love me when my own daughter does not anymore. I must not water those seeds.
I’m praying for you Debbie and I understand exactly how you feel. I pray God restore your daughter to you. You are not alone, even though you feel that you are. Our feelings will lie to us, just as the enemy does. But the enemy is a liar!
So important to hear these words of encouragement especially for women. We can never be reminded too often that God is with us always no matter what we may feel or what our life circumstances.
Thank you so much for sharing!
I am going through the longest season of depression, fear and anxiety of my long life. I am 75. My stepdaughter and her 15 year old son, our grandson have, have lived with my husband and myself since he was born. My husband and I support them on a very limited social security. We have no savings or retirement. My stepdaughter works at home and we support her so our grandson can go to private Christian school. But the older he gets the harder it gets. We are all Christians, but I get so weary. We don’t own our home and apart from a miracle from God will not have. I look to the Lord and lean on Him for everything, but He seems so far away. Depression, etc isolates me, but I believe He is with me no matter how I feel. I read in my Streams in the Desert that when it seems we are the loneliest and most forsaken God is near. I hold onto that and all His promises, like Isaiah 51:11 and 35:10, among others. I trust that He will never leave me nor forsake me. Just can’t help but wonder how much longer this season will last, it seems like forever. I want to live again, not just for my sake, but for my husband’s sake and our family’s sake, but mostly for God’s sake. I’m not much good to anyone like this. Please pray for me! God bless you all as you go through your own struggles!!!
I have been in that space and still need reminders that God is with me always. I need to post that quote somewhere. Currently this seems to fit my elderly mom who is struggling with who she is and her worth. I will send her this article and plan to look into the book for her.
Glory to Jesus for all He has done for us! Grateful thanks to The Holy Spirit for going before us every moment..
Thank you Father God for your word today through Sopha which spoke so clearly into my distress. At 75, married, 53 years and blessed with a loving family I find myself working 6 days a week and longer hours in our family business, blessed with a successful work history. During covid along with our team we began working from home, first it was lovely being home, then I also had to return to work at the office and care for it. Two of our team chose not to get vaccinated, this left me standing, assisting them in portions of their positions. Post covid I’m struggling to rebuild our family business. Our team appear comfortable working from their homes, are not keen to return, leaving me carrying a heavy and heavier load of day to day responsibilites. Fellow distributers from other nations have begun selling the brands we represent into our territory our business is declining, I’m weary and clinging to my rock and hope, Jesus.
Thank you Sopha for your words of encouragement this morning as I keep my eyes up on Him and trust in the one who never leaves nor forsakes me. When I consider what He went through for all of us I know with Him I can endure.. Your words have increased my hope this morning. I trust through increased prayer for each other, He will find a way for us all. God bless you and my sisters in Him in similar distress. I yearn for his coming again..
I love that phrase “I must not water them.” That will stick with me❤️
Thank you, Sopha for your sharing and keeping it real, real! I am going to keep holding on to the word!
Your words are so clear and “rough, yet actual” thoughts of mine. Your book sounds wonderful. I would love to have one!
Thank you. Reading this helps me not feel so alone or that I am the only one who feels this way.
Thank you for sharing. I have been going through a season of wondering if God hears my prayers for healing for my mom and salvation for my daughters that have been prayed for many years. It’s a hard place to be.
This came at a good time for me. I’m feeling very vulnerable and really don’t feel God’s presence right now. My husband of almost 40 years betrayed me. We just had our second session with a Christian marriage counselor today, but I feel even worse. I found out my husband doesn’t really share my beliefs about marriage, after all these years. It helped to pray the prayer you included. Thank you.
The vulnerability of these words touched my heart. The reminder that God is with us- in all of our struggles and wherever we are. To not water the seeds of doubt about ourselves
is powerful. Thank you for sharing your words,
experienced, feelings and prayers that we may be encouraged
Thank you for your words and the joy of looking back from a new place. Experiencing and documenting a journey seeing God’s presence assures our hearts especially in a time when doubts creep in.
Thank you for this. I, too, sometimes feel that God is not near, not hearing me. I know He is, but I let my feelings get in the way. Thank you for the reminder that He is always with me.
He is such a faithful God! Just a reminder of how He will never waste those seasons of trials and tribulations and will always turn it around for His Glory
So beautiful!
Thank you so much for this article and much needed encouragement today. God bless you!
This is so important. Thank you.
Sopha,
This reminds me of the parable of the sower. Farmer goes out to sow seeds. They landed in various types of soil. Some actually fell on good soil & produced a crop 100, 60 or 30 times what was sown. The good soil represents Christians staying deeply rooted in the words of Christ. Keeping His promises tucked into our hearts. it is only then that we can defeat the lies of the evil one.
Blessings 🙂