Hugs are something I've missed about my Dad from the time of his first surgery. The fact that God is my heavenly father has always been an encouragement to me but there were times I felt resentment that a hug was the one thing God 'couldn't' give me directly.
There was something special about a hug from my Dad and I could have sought that from someone else in my life and I thought about that a lot but, along with being afraid, I felt convicted that God Himself was supposed to be my Father and satisfy every one of my needs. So what to do when I "just need a hug"?
I thought about this a lot the week before Father's Day and found myself getting more and more angry and lonely. Then I decided to think about what my deeper needs were in wanting a hug. What did I think it would do for me? Heres what I found:
The times that I wanted a hug the most were times when I felt out of control and all I wanted was someone to hold me still, to comfort me, to protect me from everything, to let me know their focus was all on me, without me having to talk, to know that I am loved and that someone cares and is fully present with me.
Then I realized that God is and does all of that for me, all the time.
It was an amazing break-through for me, in understanding God's love and in being emotionally stable. It helped me not be so desperate for the attention of others but rather to find peace in God's presence in every situation.
I wish I had pretty words for you! God just totally opened my eyes over a period of like 4 of the hardest days I have had this year. He made me aware of his presence more fully when I was alone and when I hated that loneliness the most. And because of it I'm more aware of His presence even in a crowd of people or when I do have the attention of others that I crave.
Heres a verse for you on how God fulfills each of my desires when I "need a hug". Hope it encourages you too!
When you don't know how to explain
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
(Psalm 139:4 ESV)
When you don't trust yourself
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
(Psalm 139:5 ESV)
When you are shaking with fear
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
(Psalm 31:8 ESV)
When You feel lonely to the core
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
(Psalm 139:8-10 ESV)
...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:20 ESV)
When you need to know that someone loves you
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16 ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39 ESV)
When you feel like no-one gets your struggle
I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
(Psalm 31:7 ESV)
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
(Psalm 31:7 ESV)
-L.
