Find God in The Rugged Places

Many of us have a tendency to think that we can only find God in church, but salvation does not always take place in the church. So we have to remain alert because if we’re not expecting to find God everywhere, we might miss out on a rare opportunity for redemption. Here are five places where you can feel the presence of God:

I used to have this very specific idea of what God is like. It was full of mystery and awe-inspiring power. Then one day I realized something: God is not some distant, inaccessible force out there in the ether; he’s here with us. Now. And forever. 

The more I let go of my preconceived notions about who God is and how he interacts with us, the more I’m able to feel his presence everywhere. So look everywhere. Not just in church or your Bible study or Sunday morning brunch with friends. He is present in all our circumstances, in challenges that might otherwise seem insurmountable; among people who support us through everything we face day-to-day.

Finding God In your circumstances

God is present in your circumstances. You don’t have to be at church to experience God. God is always with us and is always working through our circumstances. But we have to pay attention and be available.

Some of the most beautiful moments of my life have been when I was not expecting them when a day went horribly wrong and something amazing happened that completely changed my perspective on everything around me. When we are facing hardship, we can easily become discouraged and give up because it seems there is any way out of our situation. But if we allow ourselves to be open and receptive to what (and to whom) God provides, instead of trying to fix things ourselves and then inevitably giving u, He will show us how to make it all out for the best (Romans 8:28).

Around your loved ones

God is also with you in your relationship with others. He is with you when you love your family, friends, and/or spouse. The first commandment says that we are to love God with all our heart and mind, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). When we do this, it will spill over into our relationships with others because if we don't understand our relationship with God then you will find other people or (worse) other things) to take his place.

In your struggles

God is with you when you struggle. He’s there, working on your behalf, and he wants to show you the way through them. It can be hard to do what’s right, especially when it seems like your whole world is working against you. But he’s still there, ready to provide support and give you the strength to carry you through to the end. All around you, there is visible proof that this is true. All you have to do is look.

You are not alone. God wants to help you through every struggle—no matter how big or small it may seem.

In a community of people who support you

Community is important. You need people who will help you know when your behavior is destructive to yourself or to others. Those people will hold you up when you're feeling down. 

For those who feel stuck or lost, the importance of being surrounded by others who care cannot be overstated. It's so easy to think that we're alone because we can't see other people struggling around us, especially if we've been hurt or disappointed by someone’s words or actions (and let's face it: everyone has). But being part of God's family means being supported by those closest to us first—family members, friends from childhood...even strangers can become part of our personal community if given half an opportunity.

Wherever you are, right now

God is all around you.

God is in the details of your life, in the people around you, and in the moment you are living right now. It is a cliché to say God is everywhere — but it's true. God will be a part of every aspect of our lives, no matter how big or how small if we recognize His role in everything we do and everywhere we go, not just when we’re sitting alone with our thoughts on Sunday morning at church.

God is in everything.

God is in everything. God is everywhere. God is in every moment and every person, at all times, no matter what situation you find yourself in or what place you are in. By now, this should seem obvious to you, but have you ever thought about how it could actually change your perspective about life? Our minds tend to categorize everything: work and home, church and school...

But God is not limited by these distinctions.

Nor do we limit God when we think of him only as something that relates to religion. You see, when we look for him only in those places where people talk about him often and openly (like a church building), then we miss out on the opportunity for growth that comes from finding him everywhere else too: at home, with friends, or while hiking through the natural beauty of His creation.

If you’re looking for God, look no further than your own life. He wants nothing more than for us to be happy and at peace. We all have struggles, and we all know other people who are struggling. But what matters most is how we choose to deal with those struggles—with compassion, love, and understanding.

If you want to see more of God’s brand of love in action, I am inviting you to pick up a copy of my book - God’s Instant. It is the story of a cowboy who was struggling under the weight of his father’s past and a girl who was struggling with grief. They both find love and acceptance in the most unexpected place and with the last people they expected. It is $9.99 and it is available for purchase in the bookstore (It is currently only available in digital format at this time).

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Gates - A Short Story

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God's Love Is Not Broken