“‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).’ ” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭NIV

‬‬As I listened to the preacher’s story, I had the same questions. He shared a time of sitting in a chair feeling alone and abandoned by God and saying to God, “Don’t You care? Don’t You love me?” The story continued with the man’s little child coming to him at just that moment, climbing into his lap, putting tiny hands on either side of his grown-up face, looking directly into his eyes, and saying, “I love you, Daddy!” At that moment the preacher recognized the love of God coming to him in the form of his child.

I had the same question, “Don’t You care? Don’t You love me?” and I wondered how God would answer me. Later in the service, God used that preacher to answer my questions in a way that I recognized as Him sending His love to me.

There are times in life when we feel absolutely alone. Rejected and abandoned by the people we most hoped would be there for us. There are even times when we feel rejected and abandoned by God. Key word: FEEL. It often seems like He is not there as we walk through difficult circumstances. You may think, “Where are you, God? Don’t You care? Don’t You love me?” Maybe you are in one of those times right now. I am so sorry that this time so tough but let me encourage you to look around and recognize Immanuel, God with you. How is God sending His love to you today?

Immanuel. God is with us. That is what we celebrate during the Christmas season. Isn’t it amazing? God loved so much that He gave. He gave Jesus. He gave Jesus so that He could be present with us. I hear you. “I know, I know.” Ok, you know it. But do you KNOW it? Really?

When you and I are in a difficult time it seems like the first thing we forget is Immanuel, God is with us. We try to figure out how to fix the situation and the people in it. We try to make things turn out the way we think they should. Then, when it doesn’t work, because it never does, we wonder where God was in all of it. The problem is that we don’t usually stop to look for Him first.

Perhaps the first thing to do when times get tough is to just stop and remind yourself, “No matter what is happening right now, God IS with me. He sent Jesus to earth so that He could be with me. And because He IS with me, He will help me navigate this.”

God is with us through the Holy Spirit. He sent the Holy Spirit so that He could be with us always and in all circumstances. When it comes to knowing that God is with you, is it in your head or in your heart?

The Holy Spirit is God always with us. He is constantly whispering words of direction and comfort, illuminating the written Word of God, empowering us to be who God wants us to be and live the way God wants us to live. Do you really know that?

If you and I really knew that the Holy Spirit was God present with us constantly then wouldn’t we be constantly talking with Him, asking Him for direction, and listening to His prompts? We would! But, instead, we feel alone. Listen to your self-talk, the voice in your head. Are you talking to God, recognizing the Holy Spirit and His presence with you? I know I don’t do it enough. I have come a long way from where I first started, but I have yet to cultivate a constant awareness that He is Immanuel, God with me.

God is with us in the form of people. God sends people into our lives to remind us that He is with us and to help us accomplish His purposes. The people He sends may not even be believers, but they have been sent into our lives to help us in the way that God knows we need help. They are reminders of His active presence in our lives.

Sometimes He sends people as spiritual mentors, examples to encourage and strengthen us. They are reminders that God is with us.

He sends us family members that help and support us in the middle of our trial (even if other family members ARE our trial!). They are reminders that God is with us.

Who else might be a reminder to you that God is with you?

Dear Friend, how is God answering your question, “Don’t You care? Do You love me?” Look around. Where do you see God with you? How is the Holy Spirit whispering to you? Who is your current reminder that God is with you?

Take time to slow down and look for God in your current circumstance. Take time to sit still and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. Take time to recognize God with you in the form of human beings. He is there! Immanuel, God with YOU!

Key thought: God is with you.

A Scripture to consider: “‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).’ ” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A YES Challenge: As you consider who in your life is a reminder that God is with you, take time to thank God for them. Then plan a way that you will thank that person for showing you Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for the promise of Your presence, even in the middle of this difficult time. Forgive me for not always recognizing Your Holy Spirit with me. Forgive me for not recognizing the gift of Your presence in the people You send into my life. Open my eyes to recognize that You are with me. Amen.