“I know I should pray about this, but I don’t know where to start. I’m just so confused.”
Sound familiar?
Sometimes the thoughts swirling around our heads are just too tangled up to eloquently put to words in a prayer that makes any sense.
So we give up trying.
We know something is off; something is upsetting us…but who is at fault?
Is it me who needs to change? Or am I in a situation that is beyond my control? Does God care enough to help or should I be responsible for this one on my own?
There’s nothing like big life stuff to get us all discombobulated: Marriage, motherhood and fatherhood, step-parenting, political issues, racial injustice, health issues, extended family, dealing with toxic behaviors, financial strains, misunderstandings, and death of our loved ones. The things that mean so much to us often lead to the most confusion and pain in our lives.
But why is it that when we feel like we should be able to fix something that we care so much about, we feel helpless and insignificant?
Here’s the amazing thing about God.
He doesn’t expect us to know exactly how to pray. He just wants us to come to him, an honest, blubbering, babbling mess. Despite our confusion, He sees our heart and He understands.
And here’s the even better news: Not only does He want to help us work through what’s burdening us, He wants to bring us peace in the process!
Think about it:
When a child comes to you hurting and frustrated and upset, do you scold them for not making any sense?
Do you shame them for not articulating all their feelings in a clear way without a sniffle or tear?
Of course not! You embrace them in your arms and tell them it’ll all be okay.
You tell them you will help them work through it. You tell them they are loved and accepted and wanted.
So where did you get that instinct to nurture and protect and comfort? (Do you see where I’m going with this?!)
Here’s the thing about God. He loves you. He loves ALL His children. He wants to love you and embrace you and accept you Just.As.You.Are…
…in all your mess and doubt and anger and fear!
Maybe there have been people in your life that didn’t make you feel valued or safe.
Maybe your earthly parents didn’t protect your spirit like they should have. Maybe someone said hurtful things or brought you shame. Maybe someone whom you trusted has worn down on your self-worth or let you down or left you.
If that’s your story, I am so sorry. No one deserves that. I hurt for you. God hurts for you. It was never His design for His creation to behave that way.
But God is not those people.
And out of His love and compassion, He made a way for us to experience that kind of humble, sweet communication with Him:
He sent him to earth in the form of a tiny, helpless, sweet baby.
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Therefore he (Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Hebrews 7:25
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Jesus came to show us the depth of God’s love for humanity.
Through his sacrificial death, Jesus gives us the hope of salvation. And because he lives forever, he can intercede for us as no other human or spiritual leader can. With Jesus as our intercessor, he has bridged the gap between God and humanity. That’s huge!
This is one of the incredible things I’ve experienced about God in my life:
When I’ve been at a total loss, God has shown me that I can come before Him with absolutely no idea what I even want to pray for! And He has brought me comfort, strength and direction in the midst of my mind-boggling confusion and even my sin.
And just like the loving Father he is, God wants to wrap us in his nurturing embrace us and bring us His calm and peace.
Go ahead: Pray. See what happens!
God isn’t surprised by the brokenness of humanity. It grieves His heart just like it grieves our hearts. But when we feel too confused to come to the foot of the cross, we hold tight to our pain instead of experiencing the freedom that comes with surrender.
The Bible says we only need a tiny amount of faith for God to start working in our hearts. A mustard seed-sized faith.
Try taking that tiny mustard seed-sized faith before Him today and see what happens.
God will see the humility of your heart and He will cherish your attitude of surrender as you allow Him to be your source of strength and comfort and peace…
…right in the midst of the confusing storm.
