When You Wonder If God Cares

 “Teacher, don’t You care about us?”
Mark 4:38 (ETRV)

Fake news has devastating consequences.  It can lead us to believe things that are patently untrue. It can destroy relationships and wreck careers.  It can leave us in bondage, disillusioned with God and disappointed in ourselves. Have you ever drawn the wrong conclusions from painful circumstances because the enemy subtly convinced you to believe a lie about God, yourself, or others? 

One of the biggest lies the enemy can post on the software of our hearts and minds is this: 

“God doesn’t care about your struggle.”

The disciples were almost convinced to believe this lie when they found themselves struggling for their lives during a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee.  Mark tells us that “high waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water” (Mark 4:37, NLT). Where was Jesus?  Asleep at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion!  How ironic!  The waves that were rocking their world were simply rocking Jesus to sleep!  Has God ever seemed to be asleep at the wheel when your life was spinning out of control?  Where is He?  Does He even care what you’re going through? That was the same reaction for the disciples.  They woke Him up and asked, “Teacher, don’t You care about us?” (Vs. 38)

Storms in life can make us wonder if God cares.  They provide a great opportunity for spiritual attack and subtle lies to convince us that either God doesn’t really know what we are going through or doesn’t care.  Both are attacks on His character and Deity.  We know from Mark’s account that Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and the waves, and calmed the storm.  “Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” (Vs. 39)

The disciples were filled with the same wonder and awe that overcomes us when God affirms His care in our lives.  Before you’re convinced to believe the fake news that God doesn’t care about your struggle, do a little fact-checking of what He said.  Here are just a few truths from Scripture to consider:

1.    God knows and understands what you’re going through.

“(Jesus) This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.”  (Hebrews 4:15, NLT).

2.    God cares about your struggle.

“Cast the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (1 Peter 5:7, AMP).

3.    God has the power to help you in every circumstance.
“This priceless treasure we hold, so to speak, in a common earthenware jar – is to show that the splendid power of it belongs to God and not to us. We are handicapped on all sides, but we are never frustrated; we are puzzled, but never in despair. We are persecuted, but we never have to stand it alone: we may be knocked down but we are never knocked out!” (2 Corinthians 4:9, Ph).

Reconsider these truths and meditate on them for a moment. Personalize them. They will become anchors for your soul to keep you firm and secure whenever you wonder if God cares.

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To read this devotional online or catch up on past ones, visit https://kerryshook.org/blog.

Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.

Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.