It’s one of the core truths of faith: God loves us. We read it, we hear it, we might even say it. But what happens when there’s a disconnect between knowing this truth in our heads and truly feeling it in our hearts? For many, this gap is a painful reality, often shaped by echoes from the past.
Echoes That Drown Out Grace
Perhaps childhood was a place where love felt conditional, inconsistent, or even absent. Maybe words of criticism, blame, or discouragement were more common than affirmation. Being told, directly or indirectly, that you weren’t “good enough,” that your talents weren’t valid, or being made the scapegoat in difficult family dynamics, can leave deep wounds. These experiences can unfortunately shape our perception of love itself, making it incredibly difficult to grasp the sheer scale and unconditional nature of God’s love later in life.
Even with a supportive partner or friends now, the negative tapes from the past can play on repeat, fuelling struggles with self-worth and making self-forgiveness feel almost impossible. We might intellectually accept God’s forgiveness, yet still be crushed by the weight of past mistakes or perceived failings, wondering how we could ever truly be acceptable.
Walking the Road, Even in the Fog
Sometimes, the journey towards faith isn’t a sudden, dramatic event, but more like a slow walk alongside Jesus – perhaps similar to the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, recognising Him gradually along the way. We might look back and see moments where God clearly guided or protected us, even before we fully acknowledged Him.
These moments are vital reminders. Maybe it’s a line from a song or scripture that surfaces just when needed – a whisper of “His mercy is more” cutting through the noise of self-condemnation. These are signs of His persistent presence, His gentle way of saying, “I am here. I see you. I love you.”
The Unshakeable Truth
The Christian walk isn’t always easy. There are times when the weight feels too heavy, and the desire to simply hide away is strong. Feeling God’s love isn’t always an emotional high; sometimes, it’s a quiet, stubborn choice to trust His truth over our fluctuating feelings or the loud lies from our past.
The beauty is this: God’s love isn’t dependent on our ability to feel it perfectly. His acceptance isn’t based on our performance or our ability to overcome our struggles instantly. His forgiveness is complete, bought by Jesus. He understands our wounds, our doubts, and our weariness.
If you’re struggling to feel God’s love today, know that you’re not alone. Be gentle with yourself. Acknowledge the pain of the past, but try to hold onto the truth of His relentless, unconditional love. It’s a love that doesn’t give up, a mercy that truly is more, and a presence that walks with us, even when the path feels foggy. Healing is often a journey, not an overnight fix, but He is faithful every step of the way.
A Moment for Reflection
Scripture: “…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:17b-19 (NIV)
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I know in my head that You love me, but sometimes my heart struggles to feel it. The echoes of the past can be loud, and the feeling of not being ‘good enough’ runs deep. Please help me to truly receive Your unconditional love and acceptance. Heal the wounds that make it hard to trust. Quiet the voices of criticism and self-doubt with Your truth. Give me the strength to believe Your promises even when my feelings waver. Help me grasp how wide and long and high and deep Your love truly is. Thank You that Your mercy is always more. Amen.
Blessing
May you increasingly sense the depth of God’s unwavering love for you.
May His peace guard your heart and mind against the lies of the past.
May you walk securely in the knowledge that you are His beloved child, seen, known, and cherished.
And may His relentless grace sustain you on your journey.
Amen.
Leave a Reply