I was at Starbucks the other day just minding my own business and all of the sudden it was like I was attacked by a big flock of birds. Love birds.
Has that ever happened to you? In every direction there were couples–walking hand in hand, strolling the mall, laughing, kissing, and just… being together. I felt like pulling out a giant megaphone, and standing on the table to make an announcement:
“ATTENTION ALL LOVERS: please withhold any physical display of affection or else leave the premises. Thank you. ”
I pretended to be disgusted, but deep down I suddenly felt so alone. I wondered if that would ever be me. I was waiting ever so patiently on God’s timing, and most of the time I honestly felt fine. I was enjoying the special blessings that came along with the season of singleness.
But there were those moments it felt like things were moving along at a snail’s pace. You know, those times when you just want to march straight up to heaven and shout at the top of your lungs, “Hurry up already!”
So what are we supposed to do when our desires – and emotions that came with them – bubble up to the surface like the foam of a root beer float? Put on a big smile and pretend like they are not there? Shove them under the rug and ignore them? Does God require an artificial display of emotion? Or a manipulation of the real emotions we are feeling?
I was reminded of Jesus, whose life’s journey on earth entailed times of anguish, anger, weeping and crying out to God. He was even recorded in the gospel of John as saying, “Now my heart is troubled…” (John 12:27).
If Jesus, the son of God, experienced valleys of emotion while He waited for God’s purposes to unfold in their proper time, how much more us? It seemed then, through the example of Jesus, that during these moments of “long-suffering” God did not expect us to suppress our emotions, but to express them–to Him. The Bible says,
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:8
Part of showing our trust in God is pouring our hearts out to Him. This is something very practical we can put into practice. Just be real with God!
When I am feeling down in the dumps, I tell Him. When my heart its troubled about something, I share it with Him. When I am feeling tired, weary, lost or alone… I invite Him in and let let Him be my strength, my comforter, and my healer. Just like a close friend, He wants to put His arm around us and say, “Honey, it’s going to be alright.” He desires nothing more than for us to be a part of our world–but it’s up to us to let Him in.
There will be some rough terrain on our earthly roads, bringing moments of pain and suffering. But rest in the fact that God never requires an artificial display of emotion. All He wants is our faith that His hope, His comfort and blessing is around the corner, for “…those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).
I left Starbucks that day with a renewed joy of His presence that no worldly pleasure or person could bring. No matter how low or lonely I feel, I know I am never truly alone.