In His Presence!

him, but he also knew that God would want him to be very honest. So he said to her, "We didn't go on vacation." "Oh...why not?" she asked. "We had a family tragedy," he said. "I'm so sorry to hear that," she said. So then he told her what happened. "My grandson...We aren't sure what happened, but we believe that he committed suicide."

The next Sunday, he was teaching the young couple's class in Sunday school. A new couple joined the class. He knew the man, as he had attended a Sunday school class that he had taught many years ago. He introduced his wife and said they had just recently gotten married. They began the lesson by talking about a scripture verse, and then he felt God leading him to share the conversation about his grandson. When he shared the story with the group, the young bride of the new couple burst into tears. She finally composed herself and asked if she could speak. She shared with the group that she had attempted to kill herself three days ago. The other couples came to her, showing their concern and that they cared. They prayed for her and encouraged her. It was a very powerful moment. He said they could all feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the room.

God knew this young woman's pain. He knew she needed healing and support from others. God led me to a moment of honesty and vulnerability with the class, and that opened the door for her to feel safe to share her own pain. Now she has been brought out of isolation and has a community of friends who can love and encourage her. This story is an example on how God works in our lives. His presence is always with us, He never leaves or forsakes us. Although our feelings can tell us that, we really shouldn't let our emotions rule us when it comes to us trusting in God. Romans 1:17 says, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'" Without faith it's just impossible to please God as Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Therefore we really shouldn't have to feel God to know that He is there, although I do know how you feel at times when you find yourself feeling down with discouragement, because it seems like God has abandoned us.

Many different occasions can bring us down, such as a devastating diagnosis, or a betrayal by a friend or family member or even an unanswered prayer can really make us think that God is not with us, that He is far away from us at that particular moment in our lives.

Then there are times when we are so busy with every day life, trying to do everything all at once. When this happens, we can't hear Him, and because we are in such a hurry, we actually start pushing Him out of our lives. When we realize this, we start to feel guilty that we are not doing enough through the day with Him, or praying enough to Him. But relax, because God promised us many times in the Bible that He will never leave or forsake us.

Hebrews 13:5 says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"

Jesus never promised us an easy life, but we can be assured of His presence with us. We are to pick up our cross and follow Him.

Luke 9:23 says, "Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'"

It doesn't matter if life is good or if we are struggling, or if we are too busy to notice that He is near, because He is near, as God is Omnipresent, He is everywhere at the same time. Here are some ways that you can focus on God and sense His presence again, through all your struggles or your very busy life styles:

1. Confess to Him

Sometimes you may not be able feel God's presence because there might be something blocking the communication between God and you. God hasn't left you, but you can't feel His presence, which could be affected by unconfessed sin in your life. King David said that when he kept silent about his sin, his bones wasted away. Psalm 32:3-5 says, "When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, ' And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah." If you're feeling God isn't close to you, maybe because you haven't talked to Him in awhile or maybe you have been avoiding Him for whatever reason, just stop and confess your sins to Him now. Tell Him what it is you have done; tell Him what is on your heart and mind today. Ask Him to forgive you and ask Him to give you an ear to hear His voice again. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

When your relationship with Him has been restored, then you will notice that the communication with Him will begin again. So tell Him you're sorry; repent of your sins and become clean through the