Emptiness in Life's Dark Valleys

Sometimes I feel empty. I feel like I have nothing left within me. Sometimes I lose hope and my drive. I just want to give up. I'm tired. Tired of waking up every day to the same pain and struggles that I am facing. I'm tired of trying to find God and seek Him with my life when it feels like everything keeps crashing down on me. Life has been so hard recently and I've just felt no motivation to continue on. All that I know seems like it is filled with pain.

I grow disappointed in myself as Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I have so much to be thankful for but all I feel is emptiness in my heart. Sometimes I feel like God has blessed me with so much, but it feels like He takes even more away from me. As I grow older I realize now just how many things I don't have in my life that others do and I wish I had the happiness I see it brings them. It hurts to see so many of the people I know living lives that are filled with dreams coming true and I feel like my life has always been filled with tragedy after tragedy.

Lately I have had a difficult time giving over my hurts and issues to God. Things hurt us and it is hard to let them go. Sometimes it takes us doing it over and over again before we can actually hand them over to God. But when we do, we are humbling ourselves and telling God that He's more important than our pride or revenge. We entrust our hurt and pain with Him and we know that He will be just in His decision. What we are feeling isn't overlooked, but just taken off our shoulders so we don't have to bear it anymore.

Maybe you are where I am right now. You look at your life and see pain, stress, shattered dreams and a hurt heart. You may be blessed with so much, but you feel like there is more that is causing your heart to ache than ever before. Maybe you have lost hope and feel so empty- like you have nothing left to give. Like you are at the lowest valley of your life. You look back to your past and you see a downhill spiral to where you are now and only see darkness and a tough climb ahead of you. All seems hopeless and you feel lost.

Just when you think you've had about all you can take and you feel like you have lost all hope, all motivation, all faith, just remember something. Remember God brings those He loves closest to Him. When you are hurting most, God is doing something in your life to draw you closer to Him. When you are feeling like you are in life's lowest valley, God is seeking after you. Seek after Him with your life. If you have nothing to be thankful for with all the hurt and pain you feel, just remember that the God who created you knows what you are capable of. He loves you enough to put you through what you are facing because He trusts you. He has faith in you. He loves you and wants you to seek after Him. He wants you to grow in Him, and what better way than through life's lowest valleys.

When we are down to nothing, God is humbling us so we turn to Him. Often when we have nothing left we truly realize just how much we need God. When God eliminates everything we desire in this life we can then realize just how much we base our happiness and satisfaction on things other than God. Examine your life and don't get carried away with things that will temporarily satisfy your heart. Look to the One who will never change or forsake you. Let Him be the one your heart seeks after and focuses on when everything in this world is uncertain and changing around you.

Sometimes we may only have a few things we can find to be thankful for, but those few things can mean so much more than a long list of trivial things that may fade away or be replaced. Delight in the things you may find small and realize just how important they are in your life. You have a God who loves you and wants to spend eternity with you. You were created on purpose, with talents and abilities nobody else can ever possess. God is using your life for something great, you have a purpose and you are touching other people's lives. Don't let Satan get a hold of your heart. Don't let him steal your joy. Remember what is true and know that even through life's darkest days, God is with you to carry you through. And with God you will get through. Let Him be your guide and strength.

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.