I’ve thought many times in the last couple of years what I might have to say in the cacophony that has become the online world. I have some posts that were started and stopped – trying to manage two kids, ministry, and homeschooling has been harder than I expected. And with so much brokenness in the world at large, this state of confusion and despair can threaten to find its way into our own personal spheres of faith, family, work and friendship. Yet I feel so much hope. It’s in this knowledge that we are “seen” by God that I am finding new strength. I hope as we “sit together” here in this space, we can rest in the love our Father has for us.

Recently I have been mulling over a passage from Genesis 16:13, Hagar’s encounter with “El-Roi – The God Who Sees.” Hagar is in a no-win situation. Having been given to her mistress’ husband Abram, in hopes to gain them a child, she becomes an object of contempt and flees from the harsh treatment. Doesn’t life feel this way at times? Have you ever been in a no-win situation? And yet, God gives her a child and promises to bless her, to “multiply her offspring so that they cannot be numbered.” (Gen. 16:10) Maybe there are promises waiting for us too, in the midst of our pain. Are we looking for them…?

What hard situation are you facing, wondering where God is and what he has planned for you? It’s so easy to look for relief, or distraction, rather than to seek the face of God. I can fall prey to this, just as anyone can. Lately though, God has granted grace to help me believe He will be faithful in the hard; he’s helped me to praise Him as I wait, knowing He will redeem the pain and bring fruitfulness in time. But there can be roadblocks, brokenness, and bitterness – issues that need to be dealt with. I’m asking God to show me areas where I need to repent so I can be refreshed by His grace again, and He has been faithful to do that. Take time to sit with the Lord and be renewed in this way. He will answer.

In our backyard, there is a small Japanese maple tree with two dying limbs (that are still great for climbing) and two that are alive and well. So much of life can be this way – the healthy and the dying right next to each other. It’s when we sit alone with God or a trusted friend that we can begin to parse out what path we are to take to live whole and healthy lives in the midst of the pain all around us. Hagar was blessed with a promise that she could cling to, even as she suffered great pain. Are our hearts looking for the promises of God that we can cling to? We find this encouragement in the Passion translation: “The way I love you is like the way a servant wants to please his master, the way a maid waits for the orders of her mistress. We look to you, our God, with passionate longing to please you and discover more of your mercy and grace.” – Psalm 123:2

Until our Savior returns, joy and pain will be wrapped up together. There’s no escaping it. But when we look for God at work, when we ask Him to show up in specific ways, and lean into the pain, rather than avoiding it, we will find fruit even as the world feels like it’s falling apart around us.

Watch Nicole C. Mullen – The God Who Sees video here for further encouragement on this topic.