In times like these, with riots in our cities, COVID-19, and stress, we may think that our lives don't matter to God. But this is not true. The Bible contains many stories of our greatest saints in Christian history who have endured unimaginable suffering without doubting God's love for them. Christians are not promised an easy, carefree life, but we can know with certainty that our lives matter to God.

God feels that His people are very important to Him. He knows each of us intimately - this includes our sins, failures and weaknesses - but He loves and values each of us. Even in the pain and suffering He allows in our lives, He is till caring for us, and His promises have not failed. In Hebrew 13:5 we read, "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee..."

Although God allows trials in our lives for a variety of reasons, He often uses these trials to turn us back to Him in repentance. As God's children, He is our Heavenly Father, we want to please Him and allow Him to guide us through our lives.

In 1st John, chapter 3, God shows us His care and great love in all He does for us. His Word, the Bible, opens up our minds and hearts to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we read through Chapter 3, we see that the Lord set us, His children, apart so we could live for Him. His Spirit is in our hearts, guiding our lives, giving us understanding of His Word, empowering us to obey God, and transforming us to be more like Jesus, His Son.

Because God cares for us, He supplies our every need. Our blessings in Christ are abundant and so numerous we cannot count them. The Holy Spirit, who indwells us upon salvation, enables us to become the person God created us to be.

This world and our lives are only temporary. We could become discouraged because this world seems more evil than ever. Many do not know God or understand His Word because they have ignored or rejected Him. The worldliness and pleasures of this world distract us from reading His Word, from understanding His great love for us, and His desire for us to obey Him. His commandments do not deprive us of anything, but give us what our Heavenly Father knows is best for each of us.

Know that God, in His Wisdom, has set forth "the way" for all of us to live in this world. God desires the best for us - that we live pure, holy lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Studying His Word, praying for His guidance, and giving our lives to Him will bring contentment and happiness.