To Be In Need...

"I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty"~Philippians 4:12

We have all been in both of these situations at one time or another.  Although, being in need tends to bring the best stories.  Kind of like some of our worst mishaps become our favorite memories~awful at the time, but so much joy and laughter later.  Probably because we have a better perspective looking back.  We realize the situation didn't take us out and that it wasn't permanent and for the sake of our faith, our times of need can bring out the most beautiful things...in time.

Before going through cancer, I thought the patient "got better", as in no more cancer and their hair grew back and BAM...life is good.  But it's not exactly like that.  The aftermath of recovery can feel so frustrating and long and slow.  I will not miss many of the struggles over the last year recovering from cancer and a bone marrow transplant, good grief, I don't think I will miss any!  But somehow I knew even in the thick of it, that my time with God through my "need",would be something I would long for later.  It was just that sweet.

But in times of need, we can feel lonely over time.  It can feel like God's not working, our faith is not working; nothing is working.  It's then that God can easily become just a thought for us.  Out of our frustration, we begin to let the current situation consume us; it's always in the back of our minds, it's strung throughout our conversations, and yet, we never really take any of it to God.  Through my need, there have been more times than one that I have had enough Jesus in me to know that my situation wouild change, but so much of me just wanted to through in the towel. I would have these fleeting thoughts of "This all feels so fake.....is my faith even real?"

BUT GOD....

[He] is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion...when I was in great need, he saved me".  ~Psalms 116:5-6

God longs to be compassionate to us!  He loves to love us and meet our needs.  But being in need can make us feel something totally different or feel nothing at all.

Sometimes we do everything right; we do everything we know to do and we are still stuck in "need".  As I was talking to a sweet soul sister about my need, I asked her, "How do I get out of this?  How do I move from feeling frustrated or feeling empty, to feeling faith?"  And in not-so-fun words she said, "This is when you go back to what you knowof Him.  This is when you remember His great love for you".  Beautiful and true, but I wanted something a little faster!

But those words led me right to Truth~ back to the heart of God; back to His Word.  Like Paul, we have to learn the secret of being content in times of need and in times of plenty. (Philippians 4:12) Not content with our situation, but content with who God is in our lives.  I am not a Bible scholar by any stretch of the imagination, but this is what I believe is the beginning of the "secret"...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

What I get is this:

Still talk to Him. Even if it feels like you are talking to the wall at times. Take Him your        "uglies"-those emotions you feel guilty for having or the ones that make you look like a "bad Christian" (whatever that is!).  He is the only One that can actually do something about them anyways.

Continue to be grateful.  Do it on purpose because times of need can make us a little less likely to look for the good, much less notice it.

Let God know what you need. This sounds so simple and it is , but sometimes we just don't feel like it.  In a backwards sort of way, we act like it's more productive to be ticked off or mull over a situation constantly than to let God know our hearts.  Trust me, neither of these ideas work!

When we "put what we have learned or received into practice, the peace of God will be with [us]". (Philippians 4:9)  So when we do "everything right" and the right thing doesn't seem to be happening, just keep obeying.  His grace, evidence of Him at work in our lives, will be on our side.

But what do you do when you talk to God, whether just in conversation or to ask for forgiveness or help and after you say "Amen", you still feel the same?  He didn't take your pain, your anger, your unforgiveness, or your burdens.  He didn't heal you or send you that check in the mail.  You open your eyes and it's all exactly the same...

This is when you have to fill your mind and your words with the Word of God.  It is living, active, and powerful.  God's Words have always created things. When he created the wolrd, He spoke things into existence and His Words are still creating things today!!

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  ~Isaiah 55:10-11

So when you feel like your faith has failed or even others think your God didn't come through, keep believing; keep obeying.  His Words will give you hope; they will give you life.  Don't know where to start in His Word?  Look up key words in the back of your Bible, in the concordance. It's a starting place!

In my time of need, God is teaching me that He doesn't panic, even if I do.  He is teaching me to hear His whispers and not just His shouts.  He is teaching me to wait for Him.  He is teaching me that He will meet all of my needs according to HIS glorious riches in Christ.  Not the world's riches, but His.
"And God said, "Go out and stand on the mountain for the Lord is about to pass by". Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountain apart and shattered the rocks, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind, there was an earthquake.  After the earthquake was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire,. And after the fire was a gentle whisper."  (1 Kings 19:10-11)  

 How and when He provides may be different for all of us, but this I know~He loves us and fights for us and with us.  He strengthens us in all things.  He will restore and renew us. I would love for you to go through His Word and see the times that He fights our battles.  He sees our faith, even if it is the size of a mustard seed.  You don't have to wait for God to "show up"..."The Lord is near" (Philippians 4:5)  So let's not cling to worthless idols and forfeit the grace that can be ours! (Jonah 2:8)


God I thank You that You are always near, regardless of how we feel.  I thank You that You are our Help in times of need.  I pray for myself and so many others that are waiting on You....I pray that You will bring comfort, wisdom, and knowledge. I pray that we will stay still and quiet long enough to hear that gentle whisper.   I thank You that we will come out stronger than we were.  That we will have gained more than we ever lost! In Your name...Amen.


This is a song I have listened to over and over again...It reminds me that times of need and times of plenty will come and go, but God will restore! Just click the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWtEEle798A