Events may occur that make you feel isolated and insignificant. Perhaps loved ones fail to understand the pressures you face, or obstacles arise that make your goals appear unreachable. Even commonplace aspects of your life may suddenly become unmanageable – stealing your joy and making you feel defeated. You wonder if you’ve wasted your time trying so hard when no one seems to appreciate your sacrifices.

Friend, God has not abandoned you – and your love for Him is never in vain. He is hemming you in so you will seek Him and so He can reveal Himself to you in a more profound way than you’ve ever known. Don’t underestimate what He can and will do through the difficult circumstances of your life. He wants you to realize that He is intimately concerned with even the most seemingly common, insignificant matters of your life. So seek Him. He can and will show you His glory. Allow Him to speak to you powerfully through the adversity.

“Although the Lord has given you bread of deprivation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher.” (Isaiah 30:20)

(From “Every Day in His Presence,” by Charles Stanley)