When you have no words
May 25, 2010 | 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
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Thanks for the reminder that God’s Words are more than enough…they’re the best! I’ve found myself lately with nothing to say to family and friends who are hurting. What they really need is truth-God’s truth.
The devotional was amazing too. One of my favortie verses is Acts 3:19 and the part that says “times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.” I find it too easy to be despairing at times, so this is just another reminder to worship God-even in the dark. Thanks for sharing it.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:25 amGod has been so faithful to me today, giving me words to describe where I am, through your words, without me even speaking. Thank you for your encouragement during my time of a dark reality. Thank you for the reminder to find my joy in the light, which in turn can take my gaze from the darkness, if even for just a moment. Thank you for allowing God to use you…right where you are!
God Bless you!
May 25th, 2010 at 11:27 amThank you so much for your devotional today on P31. I love the book of Romans and Paul has always been such and inspiration to me. I lost my mom when I was a teenager and even though it was the most difficult season in my life the Lord never let go of me. There was hope and joy and comfort in the midst of pain. Only God is able to do that! Thanks again for your words of encouragement!
May 25th, 2010 at 11:30 amMy mother is in the middle of chemo for invasive ductal breast cancer. The 2 tumors the surgeon removed were grade 3 already. She is in her early 70′s. She lost her husband to cancer a year ago. She is very weak, tired, and her white blood cells are dangerously low. Most of all she doesn’t know the LORD as her personal Savior. She thinks she knows him through her religious traditions and being a good person. Sadly she does not want to hear anything about the truth of the gospel (which I might add she has heard many times over the years). Please pray for her salvation that she might have peace, real peace with God, for all eternity. And, that he would grant her strength during this time of great trial.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:31 amA fellow sister in Christ,
NN
I cannot tell you how much I needed your devo today. I am struggling BIG time. I’m desperate, discouraged, lost, hopeless. Why? There are some major struggles with my man. Sounds so petty compared to the darkness others have or are enduring. All I know is it is really dark in here. It’s tight with no air. I’ve been through a divorce previously so this should be chump change compared to that but it’s not. It feels even worse. When the heart is involved, it’s so hard. I also am suffering with depression, big time. So that doesn’t help since I have no motivation or desire to be active in life or find “distractions” from the trials.
I’m going to keep your devo in my inbox and read it again trying to pound the truth of His Light into my very dark world.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:34 amIn His Grip,
Paula
“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.”
May 25th, 2010 at 11:37 amHow powerful is that! I so needed your devo today. Not feeling His presence or power lately yet I know He’s still there. All I need is to step into the Light and let it surround me with brightness.
Blessings!
CS
I came to your website after reading your devotional from P31 in my email. As I read through your site tears began to pour down my face as I felt the Lord speaking to me through your words. I have been struggling so much lately with my worth even though I have been walking in faith strongly for the last 3 years. Your testimony about your childhood with your mom touched my heart as it resonated with my childhood in some ways. My marriage of less than two years has been under attack the entire time and is in dire straights. I have been trying so hard to just keep moving forward but have had so much weight burdening me down. The tears that began to pour down my face starting washing the pain I have been carrying away. God didn’t create me for all this pain but He created me for victory. I know now that it is time for me to walk in faith focusing on the Lord and letting Him deal with the rest. It is time to let go of the insecurities, the feelings of unworthiness, and the fear to walk in the calling He has placed in my life. Thank you so much for your testimony and your words of encouragement to other women!!!! Today is a turning point in my life and I am not turning back!!!
May 25th, 2010 at 12:03 pmMay the Lord continue to use you in the lives of hurting women everywhere!! Thank you for your faithfulness!!
Thank you so much! God’s timing is always so perfect. I needed to hear your words today.
May 25th, 2010 at 12:11 pmThank you for your wonderful devotional! My husband was recently diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and lost his job. He is really struggling, which means I am, too. I suffer from bouts of depression and I’m having trouble holding it together right now. My depression feels like darkness sucking at my feet, so the quote from Martin Luther King was very appropriate for me. I know that God is in control, and would appreciate prayers for the Light to infuse my home and family.
May 25th, 2010 at 12:49 pmGod bless you and your ministry!
There’s a Mercy Me song that says that as they come before God that they can’t find the words to say, and that its okay because all they need is to just be still and listen. I like that song as your devotional reminded me of it today. I was recently laid off and my husband and I have a lot of conversations about me working full-time. I chose to go to college. I am 37 years old and want something more with my life. So when I see things pile up with trying to find a job that work around my school schedule and still have time with my family, get things done around the house, still study to keep my grades up (C’s and D’s may get degrees, but unless you make the grade, you don’t get paid) and all my church obligations. I feel more like Toby Mac’s Irene where she has the weight of the world on her shoulders, but yet in overwhelming circumstance, God gives me peace and energy to do things that have piled up when I didn’t have time to do them instead of giving into the depression and staying in bed all day. NIV says for these verses that our bodies are living sacrifices and that means that everything I do, I do it for God, no matter what the world throws at me. Thank you for reminding me of that. It lifts the weight a little bit more.
May 25th, 2010 at 1:07 pmThank you so much for this devotional. I just got home from a Beth Moore study where she said “The enemy works through discouragement.” God is out light and we need to keep our eyes firmly fixed on HIM!!!!! I am so thankful for the hope in Christ…..what do people do without Him! May God bless you and your ministry.
May 25th, 2010 at 1:29 pmThank you for this devotion. I have been going through a very private and yet wrecking near divorce from my husbands infidelity. We have prayed, he has prayed for forgiveness and we have been through marriage couseling with a Christian couselor. It has truly been nearly devestating to my family. Not many people are aware that it happened and that has been hard. But the toll it has taken on me is still evident. My confidence is broken, I feel that I/We are broken. Satan still manages to get in my head and remind me of the things my Husband did. I have been praying for clarity and direction and there are days that I cannot pray. Today was so encouraging, because I think how can God help me if I cannot articulate what I need. This just reminded me that I know, HE knows. Thank you
May 25th, 2010 at 1:33 pmThanks for the reminder to receive the power, we must be “plugged in to the power Source!” Throughout my life, I’ve learned that sometimes He calms the storms, and sometimes, He calms His child. Oh, how He loves us…all of us.
May 25th, 2010 at 1:37 pmThere are no coincidences! God knows us through and through. Over the past month, I have found myself spinning on a wheel, trapped in a cage–not knowing what to pray or how. I have not read Proverbs 31 devotions in several months. This morning, during my devotional time, I wrote a plea for help to the Lord. I am usually a woman that can always put my thoughts to words, however, in my season of difficulty, I was unable to write much more than help. Then, afterwards, I turned on my computer to go through the days emails. I decided to stop and read today’s Proverbs 31 devotional. Through my darkest hours in the past I have always considered Paul’s words to be helpful. I have tried to see the joy in all things regardless of my circumstances. Then I read your words “All I knew to do was to raise my hands and lift my face. Tears washed down my cheeks. I wasn’t praising God because of my darkness, but because He was the only Light I knew to reach for.” Also when reading your words, “God, I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know how we are going to make it. But I know You.” I believe those words to be true but reading them from you this morning was reaffirming and just what I needed. Then as I read your prayer, I felt as though you were praying directly for me.
May 25th, 2010 at 2:07 pmI praise God for “showing me” and “helping me” through this most difficult time.
I love the way that you prayed scripture, I have wanted to start doing that for a long time, but just haven’t. Thanks for the encouragement to do so.
May 25th, 2010 at 2:23 pmThank you so much for the encouragement…I sure did need it. Today, my emotions have been trying to do their own thing & I’ve just been trying to stay a few steps ahead of them. One thing that I really love about God is how easy He is to worship…all it takes is a made up mind and gratitude for God being God. Thanks for reminding me of that fact.
May 25th, 2010 at 3:06 pmThank you for today’s devotion. I can relate in a VERY small way to Paul’s praising God in dire circumstances. My mother passed away 2 and 1/2 years ago and the night she died, I went home and praised God. The only way I can explain it, is that it was God giving me what I needed at the exact moment I needed it. Times still get rough, and sometimes I am totally aware of His presence and other times I have to trust that He is based on past experience. I would like to ask you to pray for the salvation of my brother who is alcoholic. Thank you and I pray God continues to use you to encourage so many women!
May 25th, 2010 at 3:24 pmYour encouraging word could not have come more timely. I live in a community where we just buried two of our police officers (working drug interdiction) who were killed so sensibly and now leave 5 fatherless children. And the suspects were killed in a shootout and wounded two addtional police officers. ANd one the suspects was only a child himself. Seeing this played out over the news and the young surviving children of the police officers just makes your heart cry out. OUr entire community is crying out now.. YOur encouragment today will be passed on for it is the only comfort we can find in such a sensless world we live in. Thanks so much for sharing the WORD..and the timely verse from Romans. GOD IS GOOD
May 25th, 2010 at 4:21 pmThank you for your encouraging words. They Lord has used you to help me realize, even in the this darkness of mine, I can lift my eyes and hands and worship Him. I found out Christian husband of 16 years was having an affair for the past year. It has broken the hearts of my 4 children and myself. ” I do not know what the future holds or how we will get through this, but I know God.” Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!!!!
May 25th, 2010 at 6:37 pmSuzanne,
Thank you for using your gifts to extend God’s limitless grace and love to women and people across the nations. He is touching so many lives and planting much hope in people’s hearts through your work.
Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord said to her would be accomplished. Luke 1:45
May 25th, 2010 at 7:42 pmSniff, sniff…where are the tissues? Dear Lord have you given my dear friend and mentor sweet Suzie a glimpse into my life? Thank you for that Lord you already knew what I needed.
May 25th, 2010 at 10:15 pmSuzie,
May 25th, 2010 at 11:12 pmWe’ve been walking a long road of unemployment for almost a year and a half. It’s so hard, so many changes for our family, things in storage, living with relatives etc etc. Blah, blah, blah. I’ve been praying for our job situation for so long I’m sick of hearing myself and sure God is sick of hearing it too. Your devo today was exactly where I’m at. How do you pray when there are no more words? I’ve been so angry about our situation that I don’t even want to pray. Thanks for reminding me, through Eph. 3 that it’s not my power, it’s the Holy Spirit, that God loves me even when I don’t feel it and even when I don’t feel like I love him. I needed this…..
My heart has been devastated by my husband’s confession of an affair and I am overwhelmed with the hopelessness I feel. He is staying with us and has committed to our marriage, but it is my attitude and lack of trust and faith that is destroying us now. I don’t know what or how to pray anymore. I am great one day and the next I am angry and heartbroken. I want my husband to hold and reassure me and at the same time I want to attack him and make him hurt as much as he has hurt me. I have said I am looking to God for comfort but in reality I haven’t. I have denied Him the opportunity to work in me out of stubbornness and lack of faith. I have allowed Satan to get into my mind and my heart and I am ashamed to admit that the enemy is winning……with my permission.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:19 am“I don’t know how we will get through this, but I know God” has helped me realize that I have to release control over the situation or we will lose everything I treasure……my family and my children’s trust in their dad and I that we will be okay. He loves me whether I deserve it or feel it. I MUST learn to turn to Him rather than my husband for reassurance and affirmation.
I am getting married in August. I was married the first time at 18 and there was no love returned in my marriage. My ex husband was an alcoholic and from the day we married, his love seemed to evaporate into hate, as if it had been an illusion all along. After our divorce, I went through relationship after relationship with abuse or uncaring men. While I have been blessed with a wonderful man, I cannot remember the last time I felt close to God. I’m 25 and everyday, I go through the day wanting to cry. The slightest thing brings tears to my eyes, no matter how silly it might seem to others. I feel hollow, but anytime I pray, I feel like the hollowness in my heart makes my prayers empty. I feel like it’s all for show because I feel nothing. My mentor at church told me that continuing to pray and worship when you don’t feel God anywhere around or you don’t feel anything at all is sometimes as big a step of faith as anything else…but it’s been years and I still feel nothing. I just feel tired and empty.
Your devotion today made me want to feel God’s presence again. It made me miss so much that closeness and peace. But it overwhelms me when I realize that no matter how much I want to feel His presence again…my prayers and tears still seem so hollow.
Please pray that I can see His light again and that I can remember to turn to Him no matter how I feel inside.
May 26th, 2010 at 3:05 amI want you to know, ladies, that I’m praying over each of these with you.
May 26th, 2010 at 9:18 amI need prayer for the depression I’m going through right now. thank you for praying
May 26th, 2010 at 4:35 pmHi Suzie! How are you? Thank you so much for being obedient to the Spirit of God and writing this amazing blog. Well, I would love if you pray with me over some new things that are about to happen… or not. I’m planning to go to college this fall… I still don’t know what to study or what major to choose, all I know is this: I want to go to college and be a professional. I would love to study music but… I don’t know, I’m still not sure. I feel like God wants me to go for it and pursue my dream of being a singer/musician but I don’t know, it’s way to scary. And I’d much appreciate it if you pray for my family: Dad, Mom, Sister, Grandma and well, me. We’re going through different changes in our lives and we really want to know God’s perfect will for our family, each of us. We don’t know which direction to take, we don’t know what the future holds but “We know Him” and that’s the only truth that still remains in our hearts… We surely want to make it, we don’t know how to we’re going to do it but He knows best. Thank you Suz, you cannot imagine how helpful this blog was for my life. Keep praising our Lord Jesus through all that you do. You writings are full of faith, hope and love. Gracias!
XOXO, Mel! <3
May 27th, 2010 at 3:07 amHi Suzie,
I have looking for a word that truly fits me today – my birthday and have come across your blog ( God knows me best. I don’t have to hide my doubts. My fears.My struggles, that’s the epitome of FAITH ).
For a couple of years my husband and i went home from another country without a work and have been praying, thanking, praising, worshiping the Lord for we believe He’s at work in our situation.
Thank you for this encouragement, stay blessed. Please include us on your prayer list.
God bless you,
June 7th, 2010 at 10:00 pmJo Adina