Use this Hack to Lean Into God’s Loving Presence When Things Feel Hopeless

October 10, 2024 Jenn Murray

When we’re in a dark or challenging place, there are many attributes about God that we can meditate on:

These are great qualities to keep in mind. But sometimes, when we’re in a challenging situation, it can be hard to really recall or bask in them.
Plus, sometimes we need comfort - in a specific way - first and foremost.
So today, I’m going to give you a simple formula that focuses on two of God’s numerous attributes.

Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV): “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light will become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”
Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NIV): “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

This may seem like a rather foundational attribute of God to focus on. But I think we often forget about it - even during the times when we need to feel that God is near the most.
Whether or not it feels true, the truth is that God is inherently with you no matter where you are - and no matter what you’re going through.
That fact, in and of itself, is comforting. (That our all-powerful Heavenly Father is literally with us wherever we are.)
But it also helps other attributes of God’s to take root - such as remembering His perfect, infinite love for us.
Because we’re human beings, and not completely Spirit like God, we tend to naturally connect love with the physical presence of someone.
Yet God is with us all of the time. During our good days, when life seems easy, as well as the ones we’re really struggling to get through.
In addition….

God is omniscient which means He exists in (and therefore sees) the past, present, and future all at once. He’s also eternal.
This is one of the most difficult attributes of God for us humans to wrap our heads around, being that we exist in a linear timeline.
Which is why, for us, the phrasing of verses such as:

Revelation 22:13 (NIV) help: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Or in John 21:17 (NLT), where Peter is talking to Jesus and he says, “Lord, you know everything.”

Again, this may seem like a foundational quality to focus on. But here’s the powerful thing to remember from this:

Not only does God see everything that’s happening right now, in the present, but it’s not a surprise. Because He also sees the past and the present.

Firstly, it’s a reminder that, because God is everywhere, He sees everything that we’re going through - down to the smallest details. Which means we’re never, ever alone.
Secondly, because God sees the entire picture - past, present, and future - at the same time, this allows Him to be that ultimate strategist.
So while we may see a situation as sudden or without hope, God’s already been planning for it:

Planning ways to love and support us
Planning ways to get us the resources we need
Plus, planning ways for us to take this experience and eventually use it to help others

For example, while God didn’t cause or condone the abuse I suffered in my marriage, He planned ways to get me through that situation; to grow close to Him; to heal and move on; and eventually brought me to the place I am now where I use my journey, including my abuse, to help countless other women.
This is also one of the reasons why we can’t “out sin” God or mess up His plans. God is everywhere; sees everything in the past, present, and future; and is all-powerful.
That’s one heck of an ally, right? And Heavenly Father.
So when you’re in a place where you need to not feel alone; and to feel His presence in particular; and to remind yourself of who God is; and break free from the lies that Satan is trying to get you to believe (i.e., you’re all alone and no one cares)....

God is always with you, as we’ve discussed. But sometimes, when we’re stressed or depressed, we neglect actually spending time with Him.
This isn’t a big ask. The idea is to (a) remember that He is with you through all of it, and (b) spend some time with Him, even if it’s just a few minutes at a time, to actually stop and feel His presence.
This can be something as simple as reading the Bible, listening to a worship song, talking to Him about what you’re thinking and feeling, etc.

Make a list of things - or create a visual board, draw it out, etc. - that God could potentially do to love you, support you, and/or provide solutions.
Don’t focus on just the “realistic.” Allow yourself to imagine supernatural movements on His part, too.
The point here is NOT to guess what God might do. Instead, it’s to help you focus on God as the all-powerful, master strategist.
Keep in mind, as you do so, that God already knew about your circumstances before they even happened. Which means He could’ve started putting things in place before you even had the experience.
Feel free to pray over the list, no matter how fantastical you think it is, asking God to provide whatever it is you need: money, a change in logistics, material things, the strength and courage to keep moving forward, community support, etc.

Bonus Question: How can God use this situation to one day help others through me?

Depending on what you’re currently experiencing, this may seem like a very insensitive thing to suggest. However, there is wisdom to it.
When we step back and look at the big picture, it makes our own circumstances seem smaller - in a good way.
Not less important. Not in a way where we’re not God’s priceless daughter. Or where our thoughts, feelings, and experiences are trivialized.
When we step back and ask, “How can God use this?” we’re switching the focus to God’s power instead of the perceived power of the situation.
That, in turn, helps our internal mindset as we’re walking through the current situation. Because we’re more intently focusing on the One who is above all things.