Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

We all have our valleys to walk through. Once I was told we all are entering a valley, going through a valley, or coming out of one. God decides how long we are in each season or between seasons.

No matter what season we are in, God is with us. I have learned that when I don't sense God's presence, it's because I am questioning his faithfulness and not trusting Him even though I continue to pray and read His Word. I have also realized it's during those trials that I turn to God more. Even if it's sharing my hurt and anger with Him about facing the darkness daily, I have a husband, friends, and family. Still, until you've experienced a mental illness like clinical depression, you will not understand how lonely someone can feel while being loved and supported by many.

We all have those times when we feel very close to God and others when we don't. For example, I've realized that I don't feel God's presence when I'm in one of my major depressive episodes or faced with a never-ending trial.

It's hard to remember during those times that God won't leave us in the trial and He won't abandon us while going through it.

He is with us through it all. Psalm 34:18 states, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit ."I cling to this verse when those dark times come and will pray it back to God.

Have you ever heard the quote 'absence makes the heart grow founder'? The past two years are the first time I have experienced God being silent for as long as I did. Over two years, I felt abandoned by God, but I did not leave Him. I came close to walking away from him, as many do. Instead, God placed people in my life to keep me with Him when I needed them. He has done that before as I regain memories in my life.

Sometimes, when I don't feel God's presence, I experience his closeness after the trial. In these cases, God used the troubling situation to allow my heart to grow fonder of Him. As a result, my faith is more vital now than it has been in years. I am in between seasons right now. As strange as it may sound, I look forward to the subsequent trial, which means my love for God will be stronger than it is now. Could the struggles of this life also grow your love of God?