Living Loved

“Many are asking, ‘Who can show us anything good?’ Let the light of your face shine on us, Lord. You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound.” – Psalms 4:6-7

Why do we live like God doesn’t love us unconditionally? A few weeks ago, I was reading Psalms 4:6-7, and this thought came to mind. Why have I been living like God doesn’t love me? Is it because He hasn’t given me what I want? Have I fallen into the trap of comparison, that others are more loved than I, because they have more of the things I desire?

It’s interesting how our belief in God’s unconditional love dwindles as our life circumstances become shaky. It’s easy to believe you are truly God’s favorite when all is well, but how about when it isn’t? How about when you’ve waited on God for a baby and yet still are barren for decades, like Sarah and Elizabeth? How about when you fasted and prayed for God to preserve the life of your dear child, and they passed, like David? How about when you’re looking to escape your imprisonment, yet you are forgotten by those you’ve helped, like Joseph? Or when you’ve done everything you know to do, believing God will deliver you, yet there’s still this thorn in your flesh that seemingly won’t go away, like Paul? 

It’s possible that God’s unconditional, overflowing, and absolutely necessary love for us, in this season, is being shown in His silence, His No, and His making sure we actually don’t get what we want. It’s possible for God to love you so much that He makes you wait on a good thing rather than reward you with a temporary, and potentially deadly pleasure. Think about how children are. A child can want something so badly, yet their parents will tell them no. That’s not out of hatred, it’s out of pure love. Why? Because the parents know what’s best for the child. The child may kick and scream, throwing an unnecessary tantrum, but still, the parents will stand their ground because they know what’s best. Even the Bible shares this sentiment… “If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?” – Matthew 7:11

Anybody who knows me knows that my absolute favorite song in this world is Jireh by Maverick City Music. I want to share some of the lyrics with you – 

I’m already loved

I'm already chosen

I know who I am

I know what You've spoken

I’m sure you have screamed these lyrics out with a big smile across your face. But do you believe it? The song goes on to say Jireh is enough, and all we truly need, but we live as though it isn’t true. Many of us are living in the lie of how our circumstances cause us to perceive God’s love rather than the truth of us being loved regardless of what life looks like, how we feel, or the sins we’ve committed. God’s love for us isn’t restricted by our narrow points of view. We’ve allowed the storms of life to make us forget there’s still sunshine beyond the clouds. And that sunshine is Christ’s unconditional love for us. 

Living loved means understanding truth beyond circumstance. Living loved means not allowing God’s no to send us into a spiral of believing God has forsaken us. What if God’s no is a test of our obedience, consistency, and maturity? Being a mature believer requires you to keep believing even when you don’t feel like it. Have you fallen into the trap of reducing your relationship with God to daily transactions versus Christ-like transformation? 

It’s time for us to adopt the posture of Moses in Exodus 33:15, “And he said to Him, 'If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.'" Am I willing to stay in this mess if I know God is with me in it? Am I willing to stay in this job if I know it’s God’s ordained place for me? Am I willing to stay in this house if I know God is using me to transform my family? We are trying to pray ourselves out of God ordained positioning. Moses said don’t take me to a place without you. You have to ask yourself the hard questions. Are you willing to forfeit God’s presence for a more convenient situation…and then calling it ‘His Plan’ even though you manipulated His hand? As God’s beloved children, who believe in His unconditional love for us, we have to desire God’s perfect will over His permissive will. I don’t want the life God permits me to have. I desire the life He perfectly wills me to have! 

Psalm 4:6-7 reveals that God can give us more joy, fulfillment, and happiness in Him than those who "have it all." I know, you’re scrolling on Instagram or TikTok, watching your friends, influencers your age, or honestly absolute strangers who just bought the new house, secured the luxury apartment, driving the new high-end car, rocking the expensive wardrobe, posted up on baecation with their boo, or got another degree. You’re seeing a life you desire, you’re even praying for. Yet God hasn’t answered. You serve Him, and He’s silent. You cry out to Him, and hear His no. You’re holding onto the thread of your faith, asking God why, and simply can’t understand… I want to let you know a secret. The joy God provides isn’t found in things. It’s found in Him. There’s no amount of things God can give you that will compensate for the joy found in His presence. He can place you in a lifestyle you so desperately desire, and yet you will soon find depression and emptiness have become your new acquaintances.

We must not let our perception be skewed. God loves you, even if He hasn’t answered your prayer request yet. 

How Do I Begin Living Loved?

1. Seek to understand the love of God through scripture

2. Forfeit your desire for things, over your longing for God’s presence

3. Live a life of gratitude

“YAHWEH appeared to me from another realm and said, ‘I have deeply loved you with a forever-love; that is why I have been so patient and kind to draw you to my heart.’” – Jeremiah 33:15 TPT

“You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again. But I’m in the very presence of God—oh, how refreshing it is! I’ve made Lord God my home. God, I’m telling the world what you do!” – Psalm 73:25-28 MSG

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” – Psalms 107:1 NKJV

It’s important to emphasize the necessity of gratitude. We must practice gratitude in our everyday, mundane life. The fact that you’re still alive, breathing, and even reading this blog is evidence of God’s love for you. The fact that you have food to eat, even if it’s not the kind you want. You have a bed to sleep on, even if it is a little uncomfortable. You have clothes to wear, even if it's not the trendy new outfit. Don’t allow the even if’s to make you miss the blessing and unconditional love shown in your everyday life and actions. God’s love is as much in your next breath as it is in the blessing of a new car. Remember this, Earth, and everything in it will pass away. God truly is all we have. If you feel like you’re in a low season, where it seems like you have nothing but your small faith and hope for more, I want you to know that’s all you need. Believe in Christ’s love for you. He is enough. 

Here are a few prayers that you can pray:

• God help me to see your love for me today, especially in the simple things.

• Lord, reveal your unconditional love for me tangibly.

• Father, help me to live a life of gratitude. I want you to know I’m grateful for every blessing, both big and small!

• Lord, fill me with the joy that only your presence can provide.

• God shift my perspective concerning my circumstances, may my understanding of your love not be dependent on the convenience of my life situations.