The night was so clear it took my breath away. The smattering of stars reminded me of tiny shards of glass dotting the sky, and gently nestled behind a silhouette of branches rested a luminous crescent moon. Its vanilla shade was an almost tangible comfort, echoing the promise of warmth the next day would eventually bring. But for now it was night, and the moon was my company.

As I peered at the crescent, I realized I could see the faintest glow of the whole circle of the moon, as well. I wouldn’t have known to look for it if I weren’t familiar with it already, if I didn’t know the moon was sometimes full and this was only a sliver before me now. That sliver was what had caught my eye, but now that I looked closely, the whole thing was unmistakably, irrepressibly clear.

My friends, in that moment I also knew: That is how it is with God’s plan, God’s purpose, God’s hand at work in this world.

Often we seek the big and the grand and the bold. We want God to talk to us audibly, to feel Jesus noticeably at our side, to have some mountaintop experience where we’re fully conscious the Holy Spirit is on the move.

But sometimes God is in the whisper, the sliver, the barely seen.

Those of us who are Christians know in our heart that God our father truly cares, that Jesus is our salvation, and that the Holy Spirit is alive within us. But sometimes life gets hard, and our faith ebbs. We might think God is far away just because we can’t feel him, assume he is distant because we haven’t heard him speak.

But God has given us holy eyes to see there is another aspect of this, an aspect we often can only glimpse or just barely sense—the spirit world. This spirit world is the eternal world, where the colossal battles are fought and where daily concerns pale in comparison to the scope of eternity.

Just like the crescent moon is a hint of the full thing, most of what we are experiencing in this life is just a hint of God’s glorious kingdom. There’s so much more we cannot see.

We pray, and we think we understand God‘s plan for our lives, and usually he only shows us part of it, if any. Perhaps we’re not ready to see the full thing, perhaps we need baby steps, or perhaps he’s waiting to surprise us with how wonderful and glorious our future will be.

Faith is trusting that God’s plan is so much bigger than we can see. It’s knowing we don’t need proof or bold gestures for it to be real and true and  oh, so good.

God cannot be confined, yet we try, don’t we?

If you are in a place today where you are heartsick, where you are feeling that burden of despair, exhaustion, and desperately craving direction from God, look with your spiritual eyes, and see what God is telling you.

Sometimes it’s only the crescent, sometimes it’s no moon at all. But sometimes, if you look closely, you’ll glimpse the full picture.

Just trust.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

— EPHESIANS 3:20-21 NIV

Get to Know Jessica

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. This year, she’s released an Advent devotional for those seeking true closeness with God, which you can find at https://www.jessicabrodie.com/advent. Learn more about Jessica’s fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. She has a weekly YouTube devotional and podcast. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

When God Seems Silent: How to Trust He's Still Near – Faith Over Fear

When God seems silent, especially during painful or frightening seasons, we might wonder if He's distant, disappointed in us or simply doesn't care. And when anxiety fills our minds with worst-case scenarios, sensing His presence can feel even more difficult. In this episode of Faith Over Fear, author and speaker Judy Dunagan shares how God met her during a season of intense fear and reminded her of His constant presence and care. Judy and Jennifer also discuss practical ways to quiet anxious thoughts, recognize God's presence and continue seeking Him when He seems silent. Discover how Scripture, worship and honest prayer can help you remain confident in God's love, even when you can't see or hear Him at work. Want to help shape the future of the show? Join Jennifer's volunteer content planning team!  Scripture discussed: Mark 4:35–41, Mark 6:31, Psalm 91, Psalm 23, Psalm 13, Philippians 4:6–7, Hebrews 4:16, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 8:26–27, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 13:5 Resource referenced: The Loudest Roar: Living in the Unshakable Victory of Christ Catch Jennifer's previous conversation with Judy in the episode titled, "Living Victoriously in Seasons of Overwhelm" Find Judy Dunagan: On her website (Scroll down on her homepage to download her free prayer guide.) Instagram Facebook Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

1. When God Seems Silent: How to Trust He's Still Near 35:00
2. When You Fear You'll Miss God's Will: How to Hear Him with Confidence 38:03
3. Does it Feel Like You Can't Hear God? Practical Steps to Increase Spiritual Sensitivity 36:42
4. Why God Might Feel Distant and How to Connect With Him More Deeply 40:13
5. How God Redeems Our Deepest Regrets (ft. Dustin Lolli, lead singer Sanctus Real) 38:18