“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35,37-39 ESV)

What does it mean to be separated from something?  It means to be divided, disconnected, or kept apart from it, causing a break in a previous state of unity or closeness.  This holds true for God, nothing can separate us from God’s love.  This verse shows that while earthly trials can isolate us physically or socially, they are completely powerless to sever, disrupt, or disconnect our spiritual bond with the love of God.

When we feel shame or guilt, we can feel separated from God.  When we feel lost and alone, we can feel separated from God.  When we feel anger and resentment, we can feel separated from God.  When we feel anxiety and fear, we can feel separated from God.  When we feel pride and self-centeredness, we can feel separated from God.  When we feel doubt and confusion, we can feel separated from God.  When we feel betrayed and duped, we can feel separated from God.  But these are feelings.

This scripture helps us to overcome these painful and hurtful FEELINGS, by anchoring our security in God’s unchangeable reality rather than our shifting emotions.  God gave us emotions, feelings.  They are neither good nor bad, they just are.  So, the next time you feel separated from God—remember, it is just a feeling—for nothing will separate us from God’s love.  God Bless. Amen.

denise