By DiAnn Mills, author of Airborne
Our constantly changing world brings us in contact with hardships, misfortune, and tragedies. Each event can cause us to feel like God has abandoned us. We know in our hearts the thought isn’t true, but when we’re hurting, misery often becomes a shroud. We ache from loneliness, depression, and question if life will ever get better.
We’re told life’s problems are in place to help us grow closer to God while adding spiritual muscles to our faith. But lifting those weights can be tough, impossible to carry.
Life challenges are never easy:
- • Health issues
- • Job loss
- • Family strife and dysfunction
- • Mental stress
- • National and worldwide catastrophes
We handle difficulties differently according to our personalities and culture. Having someone come alongside us to pray and help shoulder the burden gives us strength. But the reality is we’re often afraid to tell anyone our fears. Does anyone truly understand or care?
The Bible is filled with men and women who experienced the same hopelessness. Those who rose above their circumstances are our spiritual giants. They laughed, celebrated, knew victory, tripped, fell, sinned, repented, and modeled faith. Humankind hasn’t changed much in our emotional responses to life’s struggles. We desperately need their example when we feel like spiritual dwarfs.
The Psalms are filled with the writers’ cries to God not to forsake or abandon us. How often have we felt the words of David in Psalm 22:1—“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?”
Jesus repeated those words when he hung on the cross (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34). The most important truth to remember when we feel God has turned His back on us is this: Jesus was abandoned by God so we would never have to face living apart from His love and Spirit. That fills me with peace and comfort, and I admit I need the reminder when life deals a crushing blow.
Below are five of the many Scriptures that show the truth of God’s love and provision.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
—Deuteronomy 31:6
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
—Deuteronomy 31:8
“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.”
—Joshua 1:5
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake (abandon) you.”
—1 Chronicles 28:20
“I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
—Hebrews 13:5
Friends, we all face doubts and frustrations when the world tells us we’re dwarfs, unloved, and weaklings to trust God. But He has promised us His unconditional love and presence. Forever.
Airborne by DiAnn Mills
Heather Lawrence’s long-awaited vacation to Salzburg wasn’t supposed to go like this. Mere hours into the transatlantic flight, the Houston FBI agent is awakened when passengers begin exhibiting horrific symptoms of an unknown infection. As the virus quickly spreads and dozens of passengers fall ill, Heather fears she’s witnessing an epidemic similar to ones her estranged husband studies for a living—but this airborne contagion may have been deliberately released.
While Heather remains quarantined with other survivors, she works with her FBI colleagues to identify the person behind this attack. The prime suspect? Dr. Chad Lawrence, an expert in his field . . . and Heather’s husband. The Lawrences’ marriage has been on the rocks since Chad announced his career took precedence over his wife and future family and moved out.
As more victims fall prey days after the initial outbreak, time’s running out to hunt down the killer, one who may be closer to the victims than anyone ever expected.
