I went for a walk with my kids yesterday.

We had a destination in mind.

We set out on our walk; my kids in good spirits. They were excited to spot aeroplanes, as we drew closer to our destination.

Once we reached our stopping point, my kids played.

We found a zip wire and a playpark. The kids waved sticks in the air and my daughter told me to put my feet in some huge shoes that we discovered.

Soon after our adventure, the temperature began to drop.

I noticed that it was time to go home and get the kids something to eat.

The walk back was painful!

The kids were cold, hungry, and thirsty.

I kept saying: “We are nearly there!” Yet, inside, I felt like we were hours away from our home.

I stopped and thought: “This is a great demonstration of where I am spiritually, right now.”

I feel far, though I am not.

• I feel far from reaching my dreams.
• I feel far from answered prayers.
• I feel far from success in those important areas such as parenting, work, marriage, finances and friendships.

Simply put, I feel far away from God. And I’m complaining on the journey home!

Similar to my kid’s journey: I am hungry for God; thirsty for Jesus.

God sees a bigger picture of my life. I seem to have got lost in a small, messy image.

I’ve got a bit stuck on looking at my current, immediate needs. I’ve even got stuck on striving to fix my own needs.

Yet, I could choose to focus on God.

I could think about all that God is and all of the things I have with Him as my centre, my home.

In the bible, Jesus says:

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 

John 15: 9, NIV.

Honestly, I am finding it hard to accept Jesus’ love for five minutes, let alone remain in it.

But, the truth is He loves me on my best day and my worse day.

He loves me when I don’t want to write or don’t know what to write. He loves me when I eat one too many chocolate bars, or cups of hot chocolate. He loves me in my darkest hour and His love is the same on my happiest day.

I get the feeling that some of us have to step back and readjust our focus.

That isn’t to say that the bills and the problems in your life don’t exist. But the love of God exists too and it’s important to not give weight to that which is tough, but remind yourself that there is a greater perspective.

God loves you and that truth is bigger than the problem you have been zooming in on.

The bible says:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8, NIV.

What is true in my life?

God’s love for me.

What is noble in my life?

I have a pretty good relationship with my husband and kids. Yes, I could always be a better wife and mum, but we love each other, we want to spend time together and we do laugh.

What is right in my life?

I am part of a growing, church family. I am doing what God has called me to do as a stay at home mum and writer.

What is pure in my life?

Jesus came to take all of the weight of sin in my life. The bible says He clothes me with righteousness. That, when God looks at me, He no longer sees my sin but instead He sees Jesus’ righteousness. I am made right, made pure and called to be holy.

What is lovely in my life?

I am part of a lovely family and have beautiful friends. Different people, all made by God. We want to meet up and enjoy one another’s company. Sure, there are relationships that need work and healing, but there is also loveliness that exists now.

What is admirable in my life?

Both my husband and I are committed to growing. We are committed to letting people into our lives that can help us when we are stuck, and that is admirable. That’s something we can be proud of.

I wonder – Do you need to write the above list?

Do you need to remind yourself that your story isn’t just good or bad, but there is a greater truth that exists alongside the pain and struggle you face?

This God that we serve is a God that sees us exactly as we are and still loves us right now more than any human ever could, or will.

You don’t have to get your story straight or clean up your mess to come before God and enjoy His love and His presence.

Actually, when we are over-focused on the negative, it is really important to take a step back and readjust our perspective.

It is important to acknowledge Jesus. To magnify Him, worship Him and celebrate all that He is and all that He has done for you.

• You may think a situation is impossible, but nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37.)
• You may think that nothing is going right in your life but God loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31L3.)
• He has a good plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11).
• He turns all of your pain into beauty (Isaiah 61: 1-3.)

A bigger perspective exists.

Jesus came to earth and died to take away all of the stuff that would otherwise separate you from a loving and kind God. Jesus was raised to life and gave us the Holy Spirit so that we could know his goodness in us, right now. No matter what we are going through: We have Jesus with us, always (Matthew 28: 20.)

• Maybe today you need to remind yourself of Jesus’ presence with you. It will be with you forever. He will always be helping you and holding your hand.
• Maybe you need to count the good things in your life, no matter how small they may seem or how distant they may feel.
• Maybe it is time that you rest your focus on a God that loves you. He loves you so much, words do even do it justice. But maybe in your pain you just need to say it out loud: “God loves me, right now.”

Tell yourself that His love is bigger than your problems.

Because, it is.

Your problems won’t exist when this earth falls way but Jesus will always be true.

The bible says:

Come near to God and he will come near to you. 

James 4:8, NIV.

Whoever you are, you can draw near to God right now and you bet he’ll be right there. Choose to focus on this above bible verse and every other problem that has been eating you up will soon begin to look different, even feel different.

I promise you.

When we are stuck looking at our problems, it is simply time to re-adjust.

So, please, take heart today, God loves you, forgives you and is inviting you to see His bigger picture.

Praying for you.