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It's the invisible qualities—such as love, forgiveness, joy—that give life meaning. Yet you often spend much of your time interpreting your experiences by what you can see, taste, and touch: I am a successful businessperson; therefore; I must be important. My son has decided not to live for God; therefore, I must be a bad parent. Like a baby who cries when his mother leaves to go to the next room, you may feel as though God periodically abandons you because you can't see how very near he is.

Life is often hard, certainly more than a "positive mental attitude" can bear. But thank God that he gives real reasons to be hopeful, even when you're struggling (1:7). You are his, and nothing can separate you from him. Even your difficult circumstances can be turned into joys when you let them remind you of God's truths (1:11). Even during times of emotional famine, you can feed on God's eternal truths. (See also Leviticus 26:1-13; Job 23; Micah 4:1-5; Nahum 1:2-7, 15; Romans 8:18-30.)

Good Words to Remember:
[I] do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: … [that] the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:16, 18

Today's Challenge:
In times of emotional famine, how can you feed on God's eternal truths?

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

Bible Studies to Help You Go Deeper