Questions

One of the things I love about the Psalms is the open, real, raw honesty. I grew up being told that we can never question God. EVER. As I've grown in a relationship with Him, I've learned that's simply not true. No conversation is complete without a question or two, right?

The first psalm that helped me reshape my thinking was Psalm 13. I was in the dark night of the soul (Oswald Chambers). Caregiving was getting to me, and it was early on in the journey. As a part of worship teams, I'd even sung this Psalm. How long, O Lord, will You look the other way? What's that? A question! A serious one for God, translated: Do you see me in my pain? Not only is it an open, honest, and real question, it's a pointed one, a question needing an answer or a glance in our direction.

God does not hate questions. In fact, He started the question game in the garden. Adam, where are you? Now, God knew where Adam was. This wasn't a positional question. It was a relational one. 

It's interesting to me that the Children of Israel were condemned for asking a question, Is God really with us?  But Gideon was honored for asking the exact same question, and told to go “in this your strength.” (Psalm 95:8, Exodus 17:1-7, Judges 6:13) It was a heart thing. The Israelites were looking for an excuse and wanted to blame God. Gideon was looking for God in his circumstances.

In Psalm 13, David goes on to ask God about the pains he is facing day in and day out. (I relate, do you? Living grief comes to mind...) The psalmist asks the hard questions, like how long the enemy is going to have the upper hand. And how long he's going to struggle with anguish in his soul. (v. 2)

His genuine questions led him to a state of resolve. In verse 5, he says, But I will trust...

How many days have we worked through this same struggle, asked these same questions, only to find ourselves back sitting in God's lap, letting Him hold us as we determine to trust Him for one more day? I've lost count, how about you?

Today, I will remind myself once again that God hears. God sees. He is on this journey and in this crucible of life with me. He has not and will not abandon me. He's got me covered behind and before! Once again my declaration is But, I will trust You. And that I will do for one more day, will you join me?

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Affirmations for Caregivers

I wrote Affirmations for Caregivers because it was what I needed to hear! This 31-day journal includes 31 scripturally based affirmations. Each day, the affirmation is followed by a short writing prompt and a verse or two to read. I also have videos on YouTube that coincide with each day's affirmation.