Maneuvers - No. 74
You Are Okay
— I’m Here
Faithful one, can you think back to a time when you felt safe as a child?
Maybe you were afraid of the darkness creeping behind your closet door. But once you called for your dad and he came into the room, you felt relieved. I’m safe, you thought. Everything’s okay now. That monster can’t hurt me anymore.
This is what our heavenly Father wants to do for us. He knows the darkness is terrifying. He knows the pain runs so deep. He knows the ache of our unfulfilled dreams.
He wants us to call for him, and he wants to come through the door and tell us, “You’re okay now, son, daughter. I’m here. You’re safe with me.”
Today, Holy Spirit is giving us a new perspective of the dark room we may be in.
Where we see a towering mountain, he’s showing us just how small it really is compared to him. Where we feel we can’t go on even for one more second because the pain is just too much, he’s showing us that, yes, we can go on—with him.
And where we feel defeated or full of shame, he’s showing us that there is still much more to come. So much more.
When Paul’s painful torment wouldn’t leave, Holy Spirit told him: “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, MSG).
This, friend, is what our faithful Father is saying now. Here’s what we heard for you…
01.
The Message
“How can I reassure you that I am here? Can I use a breeze to cool your skin? Or the sun? Or the green leaves of a tree? What can I give to you that will comfort your heart? How will you feel less alone? How can I ease the pain?
“I know your heart is aching now. I know you feel lost, frozen. I know you don’t know what to do or how to make things in your life better. I know you're trying to trust in me—that you love me, that you believe I am for you, that I fight for you, that I am the Father who never leaves.
“Daughter, son, I am with you now, in this moment. You can bear it—this pain. You can stay here with me, for I show you how. You don’t need to have words. You don't need to sing to me. Or dance. Or pretend that things are okay. Let yourself feel. Let yourself relax. You are okay. Circumstances might not be what you want them to be. But, truly, you are okay. Because I am with you, you are okay.
“Let that be enough now. Don’t strive for more. You can rest here, with me. And I will take every burden. And I will catch every tear. I have compassion for you. I have time for you. I have gifts for you. I want you to lift your head now—look into my face. Let me catch your breath as your heart pounds so fast in your chest. Let me wrap my arms around you when you feel numb and weak and discouraged. Let me remind you that my plans are good, my ways can be trusted, my efforts are never in vain.
“I love you and I desire you and I long for you to be healed, strengthened in body and heart and mind. Let me be your fortress, your shelter, your meadow, your sustenance, your every need.”
02.
Listen
When Holy Spirit says, “I’m here,” what do you feel (or not feel)? What’s your response to this week’s message? Let’s write it down as a prayer.
03.
Think
“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5, NIV).
1. Where in your life do you feel lost or frozen?
2. How have you experienced God as your shelter and your sustenance in the past? How do you want to experience him as those things right now?
3. What tangible things (big or small) is God using to show you he’s with you right now?
04.
Trust
When we’re in the middle of a big storm in life, it’s tempting to feel alone or even abandoned by God. In those moments, our enemy may even fill our minds with thoughts like, God has forgotten you. He’s disappointed in you—probably punishing you. Can you even trust his promises?
Could that be how the disciples felt in their little boat during a life-threatening storm on the Sea of Galilee? Let’s read Luke 8:23-25 from the NIV:
“As they sailed, [Jesus] fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
“The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!
“He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples.
“In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.’”
Let’s close our eyes and imagine this scenario, putting ourselves on that boat with the disciples. Can you feel their terror? Their hopelessness? The frustration and panic behind their questions to Jesus?
“Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
What does this storm represent to us personally right now? What situations come to mind?
Now, with our eyes still closed, let’s imagine Jesus, sleeping in the back of the boat—calm and undisturbed by the crashing thunder and forceful waves. How do you feel, seeing him like this? Relieved? Hurt? Angry?
Then Jesus walks to the edge of the boat, rebukes the storm with strength and authority, and suddenly, everything is calm again. He turns to us and catches our eye, his gaze gentle yet searching, and says: “Where is your faith?”
What do you say in response, friend? What can we say after such a display of strength and power and love? Let’s take our time here as we think through how we would respond to Jesus’ question. Then let’s write it down.
Now let’s ask Jesus to show us how he’s here with us in the storms we’re facing. Let’s ask him to show us how his grace is enough…
05.
Pray
Jesus, I confess that it’s hard sometimes to trust you and believe that you’re here with me in my pain. Help me recognize the things you do to show me you’re with me and for me. Open my eyes.
You say you will take every burden. I surrender to you my doubts, fears, and shame—everything that holds me back from you. I want all of you, Jesus.
Remind me that your plans are good, your ways can be trusted, your efforts are never in vain. I love you, Lord.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
