**Understanding the Feeling of Abandonment**
The feeling of abandonment by God is a common experience for many people. It's a feeling that can be overwhelming and debilitating, making it difficult to trust God or have faith in His goodness. However, this feeling is often rooted in a lack of understanding about God's nature and character. When we grumble, show discontent, or resent the circumstances in which God has placed us, we reveal a lack of trust in His sovereignty and goodness. This lack of trust can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, making us feel like God has abandoned us.
**The Reality of God's Presence**
The truth is that God has not abandoned us. In fact, He is actively seeking us, even when we feel like He is far away. As the Bible says, "Seek, and you will find" (Matt. 7:7-8). When we focus on seeking God with our whole heart, we begin to see Him at work in our lives, even in the midst of suffering. God is particularly interested in those who have been sinned against, neglected, or abandoned, and He has a purpose in our lives as His ambassadors. Instead of feeling abandoned, we should focus on our role as ambassadors of God, representing Him to a world that desperately needs to know Him.
**Breaking Free from Unbelieving Pessimism**
The feeling of abandonment can also be a result of unbelieving pessimism, which deeply dishonours our great God. When we resign ourselves to the thought that God has left us high and dry, we reveal a lack of faith in His goodness and sovereignty. Instead, we should seek grace to be ashamed of ourselves and to trust in God's goodness, even in the midst of suffering. By focusing on God's presence and purpose in our lives, we can break free from the feeling of abandonment and experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing that God is with us, even when we feel like He is far away. As we surrender to God and abandon ourselves to Him, we will begin to see Him at work in our lives, and we will experience the freedom and joy that comes from trusting in His goodness and sovereignty.