Feeling Abandoned?

If you, like me, have ever felt abandoned by the Lord, I'd like to share this with you. Feelings come from thoughts and thoughts that are not under the Holy Spirit's control can't be trusted. How do you know if your thoughts are under the control of the Holy Spirit? Beth Moore talked about this in her Bible study, Living Beyond Yourself. She said, the Holy Spirit always believes God. So if you're having thoughts that go against what God says in His Word, then you must abandon your thoughts and cling to the Word.

In Hebrews 13:5, God says again (because He first said it in the OT in Joshua 1) "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you." That Greek word for "never" is "oume" and it is a double negative strengthening the denial. Another way to say it is: not at all; by no means; no, never. (The Complete Word Study New Testament, Spiros Zodhiates)

The Greek word for "leave" is "aniemi" and it means to let up (lit.) slacken or (fig.) desert, desist from--forbear, leave, loose. (The Complete Word Study New Testament, edited by Spiros Zodhiates)

The Greek word for "forsake" is "egkataleipo", and it means to leave behind in some place. (The Complete Word Study New Testament, edited by Spiros Zodhiates)

Here's how it reads in the Amplified Bible: "For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

So when your thoughts are telling you that your God has abandoned you, tell your thoughts to "bow the knee" to God's Word. The battle of faith is in the mind. We have to determine every day whose thoughts we're going to listen to. Our own? Or our Lord's? Whose thoughts contain the most truth? Jesus tells us in John 17:17 that God's Word is Truth.

I needed this today, dear Lord. Only you know how much I needed this. Help me keep this truth, O Lord, in my heart and in my mind. Forgive me for thoughts that do not do you honor. Forgive me for thoughts that rear themselves up against what You have said. In the precious name of Jesus I ask it. Amen.