God With Us in Every Season
Scripture:
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8 (NIV)
Devotional Thought:
Life doesn’t always make sense. It’s not always fair. Hard things happen—sometimes in waves
that threaten to pull us under. I know this truth deeply and personally.
In just four years, I lost all four of my grandparents. My first husband abandoned me and our
daughter. I endured two miscarriages, battled ovarian cancer, and underwent surgery. At age 31,
I lost my second husband suddenly to a heart attack. These losses cut deep. I entered a season of
addiction—dark, consuming, and isolating.
And yet—God.
Fourteen years ago, I had an encounter with the living God. In that sacred moment, I met Jesus
Christ as my Lord and Savior. That encounter changed everything. Fourteen years later, I am still
in recovery, still walking in grace, still held together by the One who promised never to leave me
or forsake me.
His Word became my anchor.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
Even when doctors discovered three blood clots in the language center of my brain, God was
with me. I made a full recovery. In the valleys and the victories, I have experienced His
faithfulness.
I’ve learned to love even when betrayed. I’ve grieved deeply, most recently losing my mother
suddenly. Grief and I have walked together for many years. Yet, the wounds God healed in
earlier seasons have helped me walk through new pain with hope, not despair.
One thing I know for sure: bad things happen in this world. We don’t get to choose when or how.
We do, however, get to choose how we respond.
There are hurting people all around us—not just across the world, but right down the street. We
can choose to step out of our comfort zones, meet people where they are, and be vessels of
compassion and encouragement.
Focusing only on the chaos of the world drains our energy and shifts our focus from what God is
calling us to do right here, right now. You may not be able to control the world, but you can
control your response. You can choose love. You can choose grace. You can choose to draw near
to God—and He will draw near to you.
Reflection Questions:
- Where in your life have you seen God remain faithful, even in pain?
- Are you focusing on things you can’t control, or are you letting God use you where you are?
- Who in your community might need encouragement today?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for never leaving me, even when I felt abandoned or broken. Help me to keep
my eyes on You, not on the chaos around me. Teach me to be an encourager, a light, and a vessel
of Your love to those around me. May my story, my scars, and my healing all bring glory to
You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.