My sweet Melissa,
I know exactly how you are feeling right now. I understand your feelings even better than you do. I know you tend to withdraw when you get hurt, but I don’t want you to do that. Remember, you are on a new journey. Now is not the time to go backward. I need you to keep moving forward.
My word says, “Let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Melissa, everything has a purpose. Everything is meant to help you move toward more freedom and abundant life. I want you to see from this experience that I am your protector. Do you see how you can’t always protect yourself? Do you see that you can’t always perceive what I see? Even when situations are painful or hurtful, I am making you aware that something is off.
I am so pleased that you always come to me and ask why. It delights me that you are sensitive to how I am working in your life and that you always want to grow, learn, and improve. Thank you for being willing to reflect on yourself and strive to do better. It makes me proud to see how dedicated you are to being as free as possible so I can use you. I am proud that my daughter wants to live her life for me.
Do you see how I use situations to show you how quickly you can attach yourself to others because they fill a need inside you? I’ve done this on purpose to help you see where you are. No matter who I bring into your life, I need our relationship to be first. Do you see how it could hurt you if I gave you your husband too soon? I don’t want you to put all your trust in him and then face disappointment. Remember, people are imperfect, just like you, and they can hurt or disappoint you. I am teaching you this now to prepare you.
It’s okay to trust people, but remember they are people. Trust me because I will never hurt or disappoint you. Do you believe that? Do you believe you can trust me completely? From this situation, I want you to see how I am teaching you and protecting you even when you don’t realize it. You are in the palm of my hand, and I will never let you go. Every time you fall, I am there to catch you.
Love, God
Moving forward in faith can be challenging, especially when trust has been broken. Growing up, I didn’t fully experience the role of a father as a protector. So, when I entered into a relationship with God, it was difficult to grasp that He is my Father and protector. I had learned to rely on myself for protection, and letting go of that was hard. I often put my trust in people to fill that role, and when they let me down, I would retreat back to self-protection. But learning to lean on God has shown me that His protection is constant and reliable, helping me to step forward with confidence. Have you ever faced similar struggles in trusting God to be your protector?
“Let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2