The Women’s Ministry Council at our church has graciously invited me to write a blurb for their monthly email update, which I’ll begin to include here, praying it brings you encouragement.

Photo by Cathal Mac an Bheatha on Unsplash

Recently, when someone tells me a struggle they’re walking through, the craziest thought pops into my head:

The LORD loves you that much.

Because sometimes he pursues us through struggle 
to bring us to him, 
to rid us of idols we cling to white-knuckled, 
to liberate us from the bondage of sin, 
to remind us that he alone is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
He loves you that much.

In the struggle, he is always pursuing us, 
and
he is the God who sees, 
he is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 
he is our great shepherd and high priest who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet
without sin,
he walked this world and bled and died for us,
and
he is with us—never will he leave us or forsake us.
He loves you that much.

Loving us that much 
that he’d go to those lengths 
to capture our hearts. 

He is making us ready for Home. 
He loves you that much.

You didn’t get the answer you wanted.
He loves you that much.

He saved you.
He is saving you.
He loves you that much.

God saved Daniel from the lions.
But why didn’t he save Daniel from 
the men before the lions?
“So that Daniel may know more of him.”*
He loves you that much.

So wherever the Lord has graciously placed you today—
even if it doesn’t feel gracious, he promises his goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life, 
like a puppy on your heels**—
So wherever he has you today—
whatever struggle, whatever goodness you see—
I’m praying you see he’s pursuing you there. 
Because he loves you that much. 

He pursued you through the cross and back again. 
He will pursue you forevermore. 
He loves you that much.

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” -James 1:2-4, The Message

*Paige Brown’s study of Daniel
**Greg Thompson