What do you say when someone asks you, “How are you doing?”

Most of the time we say something like, “Fine.”  But that is not always true; is it?  Rather than admitting your pain, fear, or struggle, we pretend to be “fine.”

A few days ago, we dropped off our youngest daughter at Mississippi College.  It was hard to do that with her older brother, but knowing that our last child is “out there” brought new realities – and feelings.

When someone asked me how we were doing after dropping her off, you can guess my answer: “fine.”  Yet I was not.  I was sad, concerned, and concerned about what the future would now look like.

Then I read 2 Corinthians 7:6: “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us.”  I quickly began asking God to comfort me.  And He did!

I know that God cares about us, but I needed the personal reminder in my moment of non-fineness.

God already showed us how much He cares about us.  He loves us, and Jesus proved it to us.  Jesus was willing to die to pay the cost for our sins.  He was willing to die for us even though none of us deserve it.  We fail Him daily.  We fight against Him like my dog fights her leash when another dog shows up, but He was willing to pay the ultimate price for us anyway.

Jesus also told us that He wants to help us in our non-fineness.  He said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I do not know what you are facing (or have faced).  I do know that you have faced or are facing your own non-fineness.  I want to encourage you to let God help you.

My daughter is still at college, and I am sure that I will continue to experience moments of sadness (for myself).  However, I know that God is in control.  He is watching over her, and He is watching over me.  He will help me through it.

I also know that God cares about you.  And if you have chosen to accept His salvation, He is watching over you and will help you through it.

Ray Comfort’s devotional book deals with this important topic. Check it out for yourself…