One day, I was asking my 12-year-old grandson what he wanted to be when he grew up. I thought this was a great question to ask at his age. He responded, “GG Love, I wanted to be just like you when I grow up.” Ha! I’m scoring at this point. Yes, he wants to be like me when he grows up. What do you mean you want to be like me when you grow up? I thought he was going to say, get a doctorate degree, write grants, minister and pray for people in need of Jesus Christ, and my list of happiness goes on and on.

He said, “GG Love, you do absolutely nothing all day every day. You’re sitting in front of a computer just doing nothing. Blank-stare: “Grandson, I’m the building leader in the school; I have a lot of responsibilities and I work hard for the families and students I serve.” He persisted with “GG Love, you do absolutely nothing all day, every day.” I give up. I couldn’t convince this guy.

However, a few days later. A young lady called me about her 11-year-old nephew who was hit by a car and died in another state. She wondered. Why did it happen to a child so young, and why was God doing absolutely nothing in her family’s life?

The nephew’s father was in prison and his mother died in her sleep because of heart problems. He was living with a grandmother out-of-state, and she felt like it was merely because of monetary reasons. My thoughts immediately went back to my grandson. How many times do we feel God is doing absolutely nothing about our situations? He’s just sitting and twiddling His thumbs as we’re suffering through the woes of life.

But, I came to tell you, God sees you right where you are. He has not forgotten about you, nor your situation. Just because you don’t see God working out your situation. Trust me! He is doing something. God often reminds us, “He will never leave us or forsake us; He will be with us until the end of time.” He has already told us; we will have tribulation in this world, but be ye of good cheer, He has already overcome the world.” John 16:33. Trials are a necessary part of our spiritual growth (James 1:2-4) and there is a blessing reserved for those who respond rightly (James 1:12). Do not blame God when hard times come (James 1:13-15). It’s only a test.

During times of weariness don’t turn from God. He’s our Father. Our Father desires to know about what concerns and hurts His children. Your situation is no different. He sees you.

How to Respond to God’s Love.“Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:29, 30. Having truly received God’s love and being filled to overflowing, you can’t help, but to respond to His unconditional love.

Remember God’s Love – Thank God.“For his steadfast love endures forever.” God’s love is not reserved for the mountain tops, God’s steadfast love is behind and underneath everything He does. None of his characteristics or actions can be separated from his love. Because He is Love. Though we may feel alone or unloved, the reality is different—his love endures forever.

Recognize and Love God for Who He is. Loving God means recognizing who He is and seeking to live a life that pleases Him. You know that God’s love is forever steadfast so continue to love him because He is Love. Bring glory to His name because He deserves it.

This involves your intellect, your emotions, and your actions. Surrender All to God. Review His Track Record.”…But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God has never forsaken you. Sometimes to see God’s hand on our lives, we have to look back to see what He has already done.

Spend time with Him. (John 15:10) If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. Keep doing the good deeds and serving your people, your church and community. Spend time reading your Bible or daily devotions.

This is how you will keep the commandments of God and you will continue to abide in his unfailing love for you. The more you spend time with God; the more you will understand the voice of God when He speaks.

Accept that you can’t fully understand God’s love. (Ephesians 3:18-19) says, “…may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” God can be so confusing at times especially when we don’t understand the path or the journey we’re taking with Him. But, humbly submit and allow God to do His perfect will through your obedience to Him.

Understand the role of love in fear. (1 John 4:18) We should not fear the situations we’re going through. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. God doesn’t work to punish us. He takes us through situations that our love may be perfect in Him. Fear can no longer hold us as slaves.

Seek a life of obedience. (2 John 1:6) “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. Don’t slack up responding to God’s love. Spiritual Doldrums [anchorednow.com] puts us in a slump and sometimes we never recover. I charge you to remain obedient. Ask God to guide you through days, weeks, months and sometimes years of stagnation.