Ever have a day when it feels as if your whole world is crashing down around you? When it feels as if everything is falling apart? When your expectations didn’t become a reality? When you feel like giving up?

Each of us deal with these negative, not so fun parts of life. These places are painful. We are often unable to put into words exactly what we are experiencing. Sometimes all that we are dealing with emotionally feels as if it is taking over every part of our body. We become tired, fatigued, and exhausted. We need rest, but it just won’t come. We need a break, a respite, a time of refreshing.

I can honestly say that I have had my fair share of time spent here. When I come to this place, I feel as if I’m at a loss. It’s as if I want to do something to fix all that isn’t right, but nothing I do will help it get any better. I want to run away, but then my problems would just follow me wherever I went.

It’s at times like these the only thing I know to do is to run straight into the arms of Abba Father. There’s something so beautiful that happens when we spend time in His presence pouring out our heart to Him. Sharing with Him all of our concerns and cares. Sharing with Him all of the things that pain us. Sometimes the only words we have are spoken in the form of tears. Being able to be honest and not having to hide anything we are going through brings us to a place of peace. The freedom of not having to hide anything we are going through is priceless. In His presence is exactly where this happens.

Sometimes we need to just be quiet. Sometimes we need the gift of a song. Sometimes we need to open up The Word and let it speak to us. Sometimes we need all of these when we come into the secret place with The Father. Being open to how God wants to direct this time is crucial. Be sensitive to the leading of The Holy Spirit. He knows exactly what we need to help us in this dark time. So often we don’t even know what we need, but God does. How wonderful it is to know that we are loved that much.

Just to allow God into these messy places in our life gives us great hope. Hope for a brighter future. Hope that knows God is working even when we can’t see Him working. Hope that trusts Him with all of the broken pieces. Hope that gives Him the space to work in our life when we don’t have the strength to go on. When we don’t push Him away, these are just a few of the ways that we can experience this wonderful hope. Even in the difficulty we need to invite Him into that which doesn’t look too pretty. These are the places where He does His greatest work.

Expectation. Anticipation. Even when our world looks anything but what it should, we can still look ahead with God’s promise. Looking beyond where we are now to where we know God is taking us causes our faith to rise up. Trusting Him when it doesn’t make sense. Deciding that allowing Him to take control is one of the best decisions we will ever make. Putting it all in His hands and leaving it there knowing He is taking care of every detail. This is the place He wants us to rise to.

So if you are in a dark and discouraging time, don’t give up. Grab hold of The Father’s hand. Allow Him to pick you up and carry you when you don’t think you can go another step. You weren’t created to travel this journey alone. Allow Him to pour His healing ointment on all of your pain. Every hidden hurt. Every disappointment. He wants it all. For soon your pain will become a fragrant aroma of a healed and whole child of God. That’s what you have to look forward to. Walk in it, child.