Friendship Loneliness Pain, struggle, and healing

Does God Even Hear Me?

Down on our knees, our feet tucked beneath us. We clasp our hands in front of us. We take a deep breath, hold it, then exhale. “Dear Lord. . .” Our eyes squeeze tightly shut as we call out to the One who listens. A stray tear escapes and drips down our cheek. Over and over again, we pray and plead and beg God for an answer, but all we hear is silence. The sad truth is that, by now, we are used to it. “Does He even hear me?”

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Let’s face it. We’ve all been there at some point in our lives, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult, especially when doubt begins to surface. Does He even want to hear me? I’m not important enough for Him to answer me. He never will.

He doesn’t even care.

Guess again.

There will be numerous times when we ask God for something and we don’t get it. We figure He just didn’t think it was worth His while to reply. Or that He doesn’t care at all. He feels distant, silent. Un-answering.

But what if His answers aren’t always a flat out yes?

You’re Not Alone.

Our God is a super-human being who sees all and knows all, including the difference between what we want and what we need. Sometimes He is giving us an answer, but He’s saying “No,” or simply “Not right now, my little Rose.” 

 Once upon a time, I had a best friend. I met her in dance lessons when I was little. We knew each other for years and were really close. We told each other everything and would talk on the phone for hours at a time. We had sleepovers, shared secrets, and swapped ideas and personal thoughts on a regular basis. 

As the years went by, though, things began to change. To make a long and (to be quite honest) confusing story short, we grew distant. Eventually…we parted ways.

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And so, the (not so) heroine of this tale was left friendless. I do not exaggerate when I tell you I was the girl who had zero friends. Yep, none. Nada. Zip, zilch, zero

That really hurt. I longed for someone to confide in, giggle with, and talk to. I wanted all the things I used to know in my friendship. But, looking back, I’m so thankful for how I approached that new, unknown season in my life.

I prayed.

A lot.

Every time I would close my eyes, I would pray for a friend. Not just any friend, but someone who shared the same values as me. In fact, I would become so overwhelmed with my longing that it wasn’t uncommon for me to find tears slipping down my cheeks as I was begging God, crying out to Him, to answer me.

God’s Perfect Answer.

And would you believe it, He did.

My answer didn’t come in the form of Him appearing in front of my eyes (though I wouldn’t have minded if He had), or through a dream, or anything like that. I was visited by the Lord’s right-hand man: the still, small voice.

And the little guy had a message for me straight from Heaven.

“Wait.”

I could feel God telling me to wait. He had answered me, and His reply was “Not yet.” 

I have now been blessed to see the end of this rainbow promise. After nearly a year of praying, pleading, and crying, God finally said, “Ok. It’s time,” and He gave me not one but two—two!—of the most awesome people that I have ever met. And I know for a fact that they are a gift shipped straight from Heaven above, because only God could pair me up with two girls that are as crazy and perfect as they are. I am blessed beyond words to call them my best friends.

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Luke 12:7 says that we “are of more value than many sparrows” (KJV). Sparrows are little, tiny guys that live their feathered lives on a day-to-day and meal-to-meal basis. If God loves them, just think of how much more He loves us. He cares for us, like the children we are, and like a good parent, He doesn’t give us everything we ask for. 

He may leave us waitinGg for days, or even years, but by no means does that mean He has forgotten us. Far from it. God is with us always, but especially in the unknown of waiting. We can still feel His presence, and though at times He may seem distant, He is there. God does not abandon His little sparrows. And even though we may be in a season of waiting, He will not abandon us, either.

But He does answer us.

Even if it’s not immediate, with thunder and lightning from Heaven, and fire from the clouds and all that jazz…He still hears us.

And. He. Answers.

How about you? Was there ever a time when you thought He wasn’t listening, and it turned out He was? What did you do while you waited for His answer?

Comment below, Roses, and let’s uplift one another!

Ryleigh M. is a teen writer who lives in the western USA. She’s known Jesus from a young age and hopes to bring people closer to Him through her words. When not writing, you can find her reading, hanging around with her dogs and chickens, or chatting with her friends.

5 thoughts on “Does God Even Hear Me?”

      1. Ryleigh, this literally made me cry! You are so special, girl, and I thank God He brought you into my life!! My heart aches for what you went through but you’re not alone anymore – you were never alone, but now you have friends around you who are always just a text away. Always. 🤗💙

        1. Allyson!!!🥺 You’re right, I was never truly alone. That was something I had to cling to. But now I have people to actually text and annoy and I wouldn’t trade it for anything this world has to offer. Thank you for being my buddy, girl!🤗💙

  1. Sweet Ryleigh. Your words bring strength to my weary heart. Every time I read this I feel like God is speaking directly to me. Thank you for sharing your heart, it has certainly touched mine. ❤

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