In troubling times, it can feel like God is far away from us. Here are some quotes to remind us that during these moments He’s actually even closer, supporting us. What quotes inspire you in each of these times? Share your favorites in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Overwhelmed:
“Hear my cry, O God;Attend to my prayer.From the end of the earth I will cry to You,When my heart is overwhelmed;Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,A strong tower from the enemy.” (Psalm 61:1-3)
Sadness
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” (John 14:1)
“Mercy is love that is grieving.” (Way of Wisdom 63, from Secrets of Heaven 5480)
“I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” (Jeremiah 31:25)
“We cannot have an exquisite perception of what is good, or of what is blessed and happy, unless we have been in the opposite state, in which we have experienced what is not good, not blessed, and not happy.” (Way of Wisdom 96, from Secrets of Heaven 2694)
Despair
“In temptation it looks as if a person is left to himself, but he is not, since God is then most closely present in his inmost, and secretly gives him support. When therefore anyone is victorious over temptation, he is most inwardly linked with God.” (Way of Wisdom 32, from True Christianity 126)
“The Lord does not withdraw us from our personal hell unless we see that we are in hell and wish to be led out.” (Way of Wisdom 33, from Divine Providence 251)
Stress
“True wisdom is seeing what is beneficial to our eternal life and managing our present life according to that knowledge. We are truly wise when we not only know and grasp this with our understanding, but also will and do it.” (Way of Wisdom 64, from Apocalypse Explained 338)
Worry/Doubt
“As far as we enter into the stream of providence we come into a state of peace. As far as we are in a state of peace, we are in divine providence. Then we will know and believe that the divine providence of God is in everything both general and particular.” (Way of Wisdom 38, from Secrets of Heaven 8478)
Fear
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
“O Zion,You who bring good tidings,Get up into the high mountain;O Jerusalem,You who bring good tidings,Lift up your voice with strength,Lift it up, be not afraid;Say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!'” (Isaiah 31:9)
“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.'” (Matthew 14:27)
“But Jesus came and touched them and said, ‘Arise, and do not be afraid.’” (Matthew 17:7)
“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’” (Mark 5:36)
Rock-bottom
“The Lord never judges anyone except from love, for he desires to raise all into heaven, and if it were possible even to himself. For the Lord is Mercy and Goodness, and these cannot possibly condemn anyone.” (Way of Wisdom 42, from Secrets of Heaven 2335)
Pain/heartache
“So far as you approach and draw near to God, doing so entirely of your own accord, so far does God approach and draw near to you and becomes one with you in your inmost being.” (Way of Wisdom 80, from True Christianity 89)
Anger
“Spiritually focused people do not desire to retaliate, doing evil in return for evil. They forgive from heavenly love.” (Way of Wisdom 82, from Apocalypse Explained 556)
(Way of Wisdom is a lovely, inspiring book taking inspiration from the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg and offering brief paraphrases of core concepts.)
