Broken dreams. An abusive boyfriend. Meghan Patrick had hit rock bottom. If you’ve seen Meghan’s White Chair Film, you know that she’s a star both on and off the stage. Her fiery determination, seemingly unending work ethic and natural talent have helped her make a name for herself within country music. But a few short years ago, the Canadian would have told you that she hated her life and felt hopeless.
Have you ever been there? Feeling like where you are is as good as it will ever be? That there’s no hope in trying for more or better because there’s this invisible wall you’ll never get around? Well, if no one has ever told you before, let me be the first – that wall doesn’t exist! Those feelings of inadequacy and inability – they’re just feelings, and although very real, they won’t last forever. And neither will what you’re struggling with. The battle may be long, but you’re never alone or defeated because God is always with you.
Like Meghan discovered, it doesn’t matter if you were raised in church or you’re just starting your faith journey, God is there. When Meghan was at her lowest point, she decided she would try prayer. She didn’t know what to say or how to say it, she just talked to God. She said she felt silly at first and felt like no one was there, but she kept praying. She moved beyond her emotions and kept reaching out to God and she eventually discovered that he was there.
As you watch Meghan’s film, you can see how God was with her, not just in her darkest moments, but throughout her whole life. He protected her, healed her, gave her a new dream and natural musical talents and brought people into her life that could help her, and he did most of that before she ever prayed her first prayer. God is not a genie ready to solve all of our problems when we come to him. His love for us is far more encompassing than just giving us what we want. He wants us to know him and be able to rest in the knowledge that he will never leave us or forsake us when we’re in the midst of a storm.
Wherever you are right now, whatever you’re feeling, know that God is there with you and he is for you. Try to look beyond your emotions and trust God’s promise that he has good plans for you.
I’ve experienced this first hand throughout my life. When I graduated from college, I worked three jobs for over a year before I finally got my first full-time job. Fast forward ten years and three lay-offs later, I had a lot of big emotions to deal with. My very real feelings were of hurt, fear, worry and the list goes on. But when I look back, I can see God all throughout my life, teaching me and providing for me in ways I couldn’t see in the moment.
God is always with us, working things out for us, and most often, we don’t even know it. If we let ourselves get caught up in the emotion of the moment, we may miss the lesson we can take away; but even if we do miss it, as Meghan’s story, my story and I know your story shows, God is there, working things out for our good.
For anyone who might be a victim of domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.