Everyone has a deep-seated need to be loved and accepted, and God is waiting for us to accept Him so that He can get involved in our everyday lives. Just because we may not be able to see Him with our physical eyes doesn’t mean He isn’t real. When we’re hurting and we ask God for help, He responds. He loves and cares for us deeply, and He wants the best for us. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV).

God has infinite and perfect knowledge of every situation in which we find ourselves, even before they happen. He provides real solutions to life’s problems, and guides us through situations to a positive outcome we could never find on our own. When we have no peace of mind because we’re laboring unsuccessfully to deal with issues, God wants us to give our struggles to Him and receive rest and peace of mind instead. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). It’s a simple strategy, but it requires trust in Him to do it.

God knew and loved us even before we were born. When we desperately need a little love and kindness from others but find none, God offers it in abundance. “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). He accepts us even when we make mistakes. Regardless of how many bad choices we make, we’re still welcomed back with open arms.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. That’s much more than we can say about some of the friends and acquaintances with whom we spend time. Everyone has their human limitations, and it can hurt when friendships end because another person can’t accept us the way we are. The good news is that God will never reject us. “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head” (Psalm 139:1-5, NLT).

When others abandon us, God never will. He fills the emptiness in us and promises to stay with us to the end. “…For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). When we can’t count on anyone else, we can count on Him.