when you have no words
May 25, 2009 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Feelings: Intentional freedom
If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! I shared the story of when my son was hit and critically hurt by a drunk driver. If someone hurts me, I’m strong, but when it affected my child I felt weak. Lost. The faith that was as close as a whisper seemed far, far away.
And yet even then — in those times we have no words or little faith — God is sufficient. He’s enough. In fact, He’s more than enough.
I learned that I didn’t have to have the right words. I could dig deep and trust in what I knew: God is. He’s unchanging even when I feel as if my whole life and strength has shifted. There was a deep well inside packed with moments and events and truth that had built over time and relationship with God.
Perhaps your well is not as deep as you wish. You are a new believer. You’ve been battling for a long time. Let me sit with you for a moment, sister, and share some water with you. Because that’s one of the first things to do when you have no words. Let someone who does have words come alongside. We need each other.
Ephesians 1:17-21
Dear God, I keep asking you, the glorious Father, that you may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know you better. I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which you have called me, the riches of your glorious inheritance in the saints, and your incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of your mighty strength, which you exerted in Christ when he raised from the dead and you seated him at your right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Amen.
This power is for you. It’s not just a prayer. It’s an offense against the darkness. It’s shining the brightest light possible into the shadows and nooks and pushing it all into the light so that you can see clearly. You are not alone in this.
When you have no words, it’s okay. Because God knows your heart. It’s not about praying a perfect prayer, but slowing down, getting still, basking in the one truth that no one can ever change: God loves you.
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of your glorious riches you may strengthen me with power through your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And I pray that being rooted and established in love, I may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
I wish that I could say that this was the only time that I have had no words, but it wasn’t. There have been other times, even recently, that I struggled. In those times I slowed down. I acknowledged the battle. I rested in His love. I recalled the truth and His promises. And then I remembered one more thing.
God knows me best. I don’t have to hide my doubts. My fears. My struggles. In fact, that’s the epitome of faith. It’s staring at the battle, fully armored, God behind me, around me, over me, before me. Knowing it’s not my strength that will carry me through this, but it’s God’s strength inside of me that will endure.
On the other side is growth. I’ll emerge trusting — not in my own abilities or super faith or strength — but in Him. Because when I have no words and I call out, He already knows exactly what I need.
Romans 8:26-27
And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Please let me know how I and my friends at Proverbs 31 can pray with you today.
Suzie
On Friday I’ll choose a comment from today or any of this week’s posts for a copy of Jennifer Kennedy Dean’s book, Unhindered. Or if you’d rather have a copy of one of my books, that’s great too.
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