“Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?” (Psalm 88:1,3,13,14).

Ever end your day feeling like you could have written these words? Ever start a day feeling like these words were already true? You hold the Bible in your hands without flipping a page. You stare at the words on the page without comprehension.

It’s okay. This is not a sign that your faith is evaporating or that you don’t love God. God meets us in these downtimes and walks with us, interpreting them for us. In addition, we can look to the examples of women and men of faith throughout the ages and learn how God, through his Spirit, reached out to draw them in during the breaking points of life.

These words from James can also serve as encouragement: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (1:2-5).

God is listening. He is working. He is bringing you through.