God with us by Lynda Alsford

I don't know about you but when I am most aware of God's presence it is usually when I am being good, kind and loving or when things are going well. It is when I am in a worship service with my brothers and sisters in Christ and our praise is filling the room. I think of times when I am obeying Him, doing good to others and thinking positive things about others. It is easy at times like that to imagine God being by my side. It is easy to recall the words of Jesus at the end of Matthew's Gospel. 

"And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

I expect most people of faith can recall moments like that. Things are going well and we feel the closeness of Jesus. But what about the times when life is not going well? What about the times when life is hard, and when I am letting Jesus down? If you are anything like me during those times it is really hard to remember that God is with you. 

For me it is hardest to remember Jesus is with me when I am failing Him in someway. But Jesus did say he would be with us always, not sometimes, not only when you are good, always. I think a part of me still lives by a gospel of works, trying to earn God's blessings and his love. It is hard work to remember God being with me when I am in the midst of failure and difficult times. But the death and resurrection of Jesus means that I am freed from having to earn God's blessings. I don't have to earn His presence by good behaviour. God sees me as righteous because of Jesus and I can have Him with me always. 

I shall never forget hearing the testimony of an ex-bulimia sufferer. This person said that when they were still locked into bulimia, they were kneeling by the toilet making themselves sick and became aware that Jesus was holding them, cradling them in their distress. It was a life changing moment for this person.  This person is now totally free and helping other sufferers,

This testimony made a huge impact on me. A part of me felt I would have to earn that level of love from God. But this person was telling me that Jesus would be with me even in my darkest times. I didn't suffer from bulimia. For me it was food addiction without the purging. Hearing that God was with me even in the midst of a binge was the start of discovering my own freedom. It was the start of a journey of seeking the healer, seeking the Father heart of God. Knowing He is with me in every circumstance of life, no matter what, was life changing for me. The Psalmist said, 

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." Ps 16:8

No matter what is going wrong around you, no matter what sin you may be committing Jesus meant it when he said he would always be with you. He will never leave you. You are not alone. My prayer is that we become more aware of His presence every day.

Lynda Alsford is a sea loving, cat loving, GP receptionist and writes in her spare time. She has written two books. He Never Let Go describes her journey through a major crisis of faith whilst working as an evangelist at a lively Church in Chiswick, West London. Being Known describes how God set her free from food addiction. Both books are available in paperback and on kindle on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. She writes a newsletter, Seeking the Healer, in which she shares the spiritual insights she has gained on her journey. Sign up for this at her website,www.lyndaalsford.com.