It was my second year of University when this truth first dawned on me. The financial burden of paying my tuition fees while taking care of my two sisters was too much for my mom who is a single mom. While I had stayed on the campus residence in my first year, in my second year I was kicked out of campus residence and had to find accommodation outside the campus to continue my studies just that year.
I would walk to campus daily for classes and go back to the house which I was renting and shared with other students. Walking those streets by myself sometimes at night was not easy.
I felt lonely,vulnerable and scared.
It was then I started talking to myself as I walked but l was still scared so I rather started speaking to God. So I was actually praying as l walked. I would literally sing praise songs and talk to God. He was my companion, He was my friend. And after some time while I walked alone, I didn’t feel lonely. I felt God’s presence. And that fear I once felt started becoming less and less.
And I learnt my life changing truth: God is always with me!
This is the truth I learnt about God then and continues to make an impact in my life today.
God is always with us. John 14: 16 says “And l will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever”
The Great I AM, the King of kings never leaves us nor forsakes us. Wow, just wow!
He walks with us and is by our side. All. The. Time .Matthew 28:20b says“and lo, l am with you always even to the end of the age.” Amen
Once you grasp this truth, it will be life changing for you too.
Let’s think about this for a second:
The people closest to you- your spouse, parents, children,friends, family, pastor, church leaders, colleagues may love you deeply. And they can promise to be there for you always. To never leave your side. I mean I make those promises and I mean them. And other people mean them too when they say them to you.
Newsflash: It’s physically impossible for any human to always be with us.
At some point, they will leave us and we are left alone.
But l want to assure you of one thing:
Even in times when you are alone, with God by your side you will not feel lonely. God’s love for us is amazing and it’s reflected in His presence.
Knowing God is always with you will change your life in 4 ways:
1) Boost of Courage-We live in a chaotic world. Just watch the news. We don’t feel safe sometimes,even in our homes. But at times the things that scare us are not ‘out there’. It’s being asked to do something outside your comfort zone- at work or school or in church. And you just need the courage to do it, right there and then.
The moment you remember God’s presence, you will gain courage.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you”
2) A Forever Friendship-Having moved to 2 different countries and 3 cities in the past 10 years, I have lost touch with most of the friends I’ve made along the way. But one thing that has kept me going is that I’ve never lost God’s friendship. He is the constant in my life. My forever friend.
And He can be yours too!
3) Much needed Peace-Being peaceful is not how I would describe myself. I’m more of a constant worrier fighting to be peaceful. But I have found peace at certain times in certain areas and seasons when l have handed over control of the situation to God knowing that He is an ever present help for me. And that peace is available to us all.
Read more about practical ways I use to stop worry here.
4) Lots of Confidence-A lot of women l know suffer from low self-esteem. Umm, me too I’m afraid. Growing up not being that confident, it was only when I knew God better that l became more confident. Confident in His ability not mine. Confident in His power. Confident that He chose me. Confident that He loves me. Confident that He is always with me and l can call on Him anytime.And sure enough, He has never disappointed me.
4) A Hopeful life -In times when l have gone through difficult situations, leaning on God has given me hope. I know that my difficulties are not a surprise to God. He knows them, He allows them for a season and a reason. My trust and hope is in His presence to get me through it all. To strengthen me. To guide me.
Psalm 46:1 ‘God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble’
There are so many truths about God in the Bible and this is just one of them which has had the most impact in my walk with Him.
Knowing that He is here, right now, right here. That l can talk to Him and He can talk to me. I just need to be conscious of His presence.
Talk to God like you would a friend. You tell your friend everything right? The big things and the small things happening in your life.
Tell God about your life. Your family, your fears, your pain, your hopes and your dreams.
Tell God how hard your life is and ask Him to show you His purpose through it all.
Tell God about your frustrations while you are in that traffic jam.
Tell Him about that person you can’t stand but you know you need to love. Because there is usually that one person pushing your buttons and testing your patience, right?
Tell it all to God.
He is there, He is listening.
I assure you that once you do this, prayer becomes a lifestyle. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says ‘pray without ceasing’. Simply put: Talk to God All. The. Time. Without stopping.
Even if God knows everything, we should still pray and this post explains why.
You do it daily, moment by moment, situation by situation.It’s not easy- yes, our minds are prone to wander- yes, but what matters is to start. Today- right now. To become conscious of God’s presence daily and experience Him-it will change your life.
This truth has guided me. It has changed me. And God put it on my heart to make it my blog’s name: OUR GOD IS WITH US.
And guess what else, my first name which is Tinashe is translated to Emmanuel, God with us.
And He is. He is with me. He is with you. He is with us. He was, is and will always be with us.
What an honour, what a joy, what a life changing truth!
Let’s Pray:
Lord, I thank you that you never leave me nor forsake me. Even right now, you are with me. Thank you for your presence. Help me to live my life believing this truth. Help me to live a courageous and confident life full of your peace and hope. Knowing that I will never be lonely. That I have a forever friend in You always.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Lee Samaz
January 23, 2019 at 9:11 amAmazing story, thoughts and teaching. God has spoken to me through you today. I felt overjoyed and peaceful this morning reading your blog. Thank you for the prayer Tinashe. God is with us. His presence has forever been with us…So proud of you and i have signed up…Amen.
Tinashe Jaricha
February 5, 2019 at 12:04 pmThank you so much.We serve a great God indeed!
Brian Penicela
January 23, 2019 at 11:03 amWow this is really beautiful Tinashe!!Cant wait for more gracious and inaoiring words from you.May God continue to use you as an instrument of his work.
Tinashe Jaricha
February 5, 2019 at 12:08 pmThank you for the feedback. I’m honored to be a worker in God’s kingdom!
Aunt Thandi
January 23, 2019 at 12:40 pmVery nice. I like it. God bless
Tinashe Jaricha
February 5, 2019 at 12:12 pmThank you so much. Praise be to God. May He continue to bless you.
Lauren
January 25, 2019 at 12:40 amThis is powerful stuff! I also felt the presence of peace as I read it. Thank you for sharing your heart!
Tinashe Jaricha
February 5, 2019 at 12:09 pmThat’s wonderful to hear Lauren! Thank God for that. We serve a great God indeed.
Garance Manege
January 30, 2019 at 12:51 pmTinaaahoo!! I’m soo proud this is up and running!
Sooo encouraged by your words… I remember the walking alone at varsity??! God has brought us from faaar!
Tinashe Jaricha
February 5, 2019 at 12:11 pmThank you for your support as always. God really has brought us far and the exciting thing He still has more planned ‘no eye has seen, no ear has heard what He has prepared for us’
Rufaro
January 31, 2019 at 3:09 pmWonderful Tinashe. What a great read!!! You can never hear this truth enough times.
Tinashe Jaricha
February 5, 2019 at 12:11 pmAmen and amen. Indeed we need constant reminders and encouragement from His word.
Gill Gillespie
February 2, 2019 at 8:32 pmOh. So it’s like that is it? Just because the Creator of the Universe has your back you think you have a right to all of this confidence and calmness? Well let me tell you a thing or two lady!!! You are SO VERY RIGHT!. Very inspirational!
Tinashe Jaricha
February 5, 2019 at 12:14 pmIt is like that for sure. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement as always.
Hughneese
February 8, 2019 at 8:39 amI enjoyed reading this and could just about hear your voice as I read it. This was super encouraging to read and the ‘much needed peace’ point was such a great reminder of the direct access line I have to God for that peace in a world that so easily stresses me out and makes me anxious. Even as people who have walked with Christ for a number of years now-sometimes it’s so refreshing to go back to basics. Well done Tina. To God be the glory
Tinashe Jaricha
February 8, 2019 at 5:20 pmSo true we so need the constant reminders to continue in our faith. Thank you for your support.
Louisa
February 8, 2019 at 2:32 pmWell done Tinashe on starting this inspiring blog! Its only God who stays with us, if we let him and gives us peace and hope which transcends all human understanding .So super proud of you !!!
Tinashe Jaricha
February 8, 2019 at 5:18 pmThank you so much. Praise God that He is leading and guiding me through it all.
Nyasha
February 9, 2019 at 2:48 pmAmazing Tinashe!! I like it.Those needs in the lives of people I meet every day. Teach me how to pray, Lord. In Jesus’ Name l pray, Amen.
Tinashe Jaricha
February 9, 2019 at 7:49 pmOur God listens to our prayer always, and He cares for what we care for. Keep praying, never give up.
Lucia
March 2, 2019 at 8:37 amWhat a great read. really encouraging and great boost in my faith. May God continue to speak to and through you.
Tinashe Jaricha
March 3, 2019 at 8:14 pmAmen. God is with you even during this time you’re going through. You are in our prayers.
Janene Eldred
March 9, 2019 at 4:23 pmThank you for your wonderful post! God is with us all the time, and sadly, there are so many people, many Christians, even, that have that lonely feeling, and forget about God, and His presence with us. When it comes right down to it, we are on the Earth by ourselves, and in the end, we will die by ourselves, but God will still be with us, if we are Christian. I have had that lonely feeling, too, but keep talking to God about it, which always stops that feeling! God bless you!
Mamie
February 13, 2020 at 2:09 pmSo thankful for the hope He gives and Bis never ending love!
Ginger Harrington
September 4, 2020 at 1:38 pmI love the four truths about God’s presence with us. Courage, friendship, peace, and hope are sweet and precious blessings that are important to remember!