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Friends, I have had moments this week when I have clearlyand I mean CLEARLYseen how God has answered my prayers.

And when I saw how He had responded to me so tenderly and gently and patiently, my heart was overcome.

Overcome with gratitude. Overcome with love. Overcome with the magnitude of it all.

I had been asking Him to help me let things go. I had been asking for peace regardless of my circumstances. I had been asking for joy and gratitude to flood my heart.

And do you know what? It did.

I had a moment the other week when I was frustrated. I was sick of making decisions and felt overwhelmed by it all. In that moment of frustration and tiredness and all of the things, I wrote down a prayer.

And friends, God has answered this prayer.

RELATED: God Leaves No Prayer Unanswered

All throughout the week last week I had a feeling of peace and contentment. I felt my anxiety subside and felt a joy deep in my heart.

And last night, when I was scrolling through my feed, I saw the prayer I had posted and realized it was no coincidence I had been feeling the way I was.

I was overcome when I saw this prayer and could clearly see the ways God had answered it.

Nothing about my circumstances had changed, only my response to them. And that, my friends, was completely a gift from God.

God hears our cries, and He does answer our prayers. We may not always see it or feel it, but then there are other moments when it is so crystal clear.

So I want to encourage you as you face whatever it is you may be going through.

RELATED: When You Feel Like You Have Nothing Left, Jesus Can Use the Crumbs

If your heart feels like it’s breaking into a million, tiny little pieces. If this pandemic and all that has come with it is getting the best of you. If watching the news has your mind reeling. If you are tired. And weary. And heartbroken. If you want to lay the past down, but just can’t seem to do it. If you are in a hurting relationship. If you are struggling financially. If you are grieving. If you just can’t.

Give it to God. Lay it down. He wants it. All of it.

Give Him your anger. And your frustration. And your sadness. Give Him your anxieties. And your heartache. Give Him your hopes and your joys.

Come to Him like you would a friend.

The closest friend you will ever have.

RELATED: My Friend, Jesus

One who will never leave you or forsake you.

One who loves you like nobody else ever has. Or ever will.

One who hears your prayers.

Originally published on the author’s Facebook page

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So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Jennifer Thompson

Jennifer Thompson is a freelance writer, preschool art teacher and mother of four with a heart for Jesus. Her work can be found on a number of blogs and parenting publications. Recently relocated from Indianapolis to Nashville, Tennessee. She is a passionate storyteller and believes every person has an important story to tell. We grow when we share. And even more when we listen.  

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