God’s love is steadfast, eternal, constant. He will not abandon us. At times I question why things happen — the reason for traumatic events. Even though I wrestle with pain, struggle through trials, I do not doubt God’s love for me. His grace is abundant enough to feed my famished soul.
Yet I read Romans 8:38-39 and I find myself examining my heart. Am I convinced, as Paul, that nothing can “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (39, NIV).” There are times I feel separated from God, removed from him. It stirs up a yearning for Him deep in my heart, a search for walls that may yet remain; walls that hinder me from becoming closer to God.
At times I struggle with my humanity. It is as Paul wrote in Romans 7:15: “I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” It is the struggle within, the process of orienting myself toward a life in Christ. It is the process of sanctification. Through it all, God’s love remains, no matter how wretched we feel about ourselves.
I need to remain convinced as Paul, that God will continue to love me no matter what my circumstances: “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (38-39). I need to remember that it is Christ Jesus who strengthens me. In him I find my true identity.
© 2020 CGThelen
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. – Romans 8:37, (NASB)
I am so thankful for his love and grace — his desire to nurture our faith. Blessings.
Amen! God witnesses our struggles, and He patiently comes to us. His steadfast love will be here forever.
The peace of Christ be with you this day. Blessings.
Beautiful. Thank you.
May the peace of Christ envelope you today. May he strengthen you. Blessings.
Thank you, I needed to hear this.