Do You Know Him? Discovering God Beyond the Storm
Night Is Normal Part 5: Do You Know Him? Discovering God Beyond the Storm
When life gets difficult, many of us begin searching for answers.
Why did this happen? When will it end? What is God doing?
But what if God is inviting us into something deeper than explanations?
In this episode of Heartfelt Conversations with Diana, we explore one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves:
Do I know God?
Not simply know about Him—but truly know Him.
Through Scripture, personal reflection, and practical encouragement, Diana discusses how a relationship with God becomes the foundation that carries us through the darkest seasons of life. Together we'll discover why God wants to be known, how trust grows through our relationship with Him, and what it means to trust God's heart when we cannot trace His hand.
If you're walking through a difficult season, carrying unanswered questions, or struggling to understand God's plan, this episode will remind you that His invitation remains the same:
"Come closer."
Diana’s Notes
The Illusion That Keeps Us Stuck - Breaking Free When Expectations Collide With Reality
Hello everybody!!!
And welcome to Heartfelt Conversations with Diana. Today’s episode is Do You Know Him? Discovering God Beyond the Storm.
I am so grateful that you've joined me today as we continue our journey through the study of The Night Is Normal by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole.
Over the last couple of weeks, we've explored some powerful truths together.
Week one reminded us that nothing is wrong with us simply because we're walking through a difficult season.
Week two challenged us to remember that God has not changed, even when our circumstances have.
We also talked about the illusions we sometimes create when pain begins telling us stories that simply aren't true.
If this is your first time tuning in, I would encourage you to go to our website and check out all of the episodes for this series. heartfeltconversations.com
Today, I want to begin with a question that might catch you a little off guard.
Are you ready?
Do you know God?
Not… Do you know about God?
Not… Do you attend church?
Not… Can you quote Bible verses?
Not… Do you consider yourself a Christian?
Those are all important things. But today I want to ask a different question.
Do you know Him? Do you know Him and do you like Him?
Do you know His heart?
Do you recognize His voice?
Do you spend time with Him?
Would you know His character well enough to trust Him when life doesn't make sense?
Because that may be one of the most important questions we'll ever answer.
Get Anchored in this Truth
God is not asking us to understand everything. He is inviting us to know Him.
And what I have discovered as I have come to really know him, is that I do like Him. I enjoy Him. I enjoy the personal, intimate relationship that He and I have built together. He is in a relationship with God. He is our heavenly Father. All I can say is that if you haven’t taken the time to come to really know Him, then you are missing out on the greatest relationship of your life!
One of the questions I have been pondering this week is this:
Can I trust God's heart when I can't trace His hand?
Think about that for a moment.
Can you trust God's heart when you cannot see what He is doing?
Can you trust Him when the answers don't come?
When the healing doesn't seem to be happening?
When the relationship falls apart?
When the job disappears?
When will the diagnosis arrive?
When the prayer seems unanswered?
Because if we're honest, most of us don't struggle to trust God when everything is going well. In fact, when things are going well, we tend to forget all about Him. Right?
But often times -
We struggle when we can't understand Him.
We struggle when we can't see what He's doing behind the scenes.
And that is often where faith either deepens or begins to drift.
He Is THE GOD WHO WANTS TO BE KNOWN
One of the most awe-inspiring truths in all of Scripture is that God wants to be known.
Think about who we're talking about.
The God who hung the stars in place.
The God who separated the waters.
The God who created mountains and oceans.
The God whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts and whose ways are higher than our ways.
The God who knows every detail of every life.
The God who sees the beginning from the end.
That God...
Wants to be known.
By you.
And by me.
What an incredible thought.
The Creator of everything is not hiding from us.
He's inviting us into a relationship.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 says:
"Let not the wise boast in their wisdom or the strong boast in their strength or the rich boast in their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know Me."
Not know about Him.
Know Him.
Relationships have always been God's desire.
Is God a placeholder or your rock?
Sometimes, difficult seasons reveal what we truly believe.
When life gets hard, we discover whether God has become a trusted foundation or simply a temporary placeholder.
We discover whether our faith is rooted in a relationship with Him or merely when our circumstances drive us to our knees.
When things are good, it's easy to say we trust God.
But what about when all hope seems to disappear?
What about when the future looks uncertain?
What about when the night feels longer than expected?
Do we continue trusting Him?
Or do we begin questioning His character?
Do we begin wondering if God is unreliable?
Random? Questionable?
Or do we remember who He has always been?
The night seasons of life often reveal whether our faith is built on explanations or on a relationship with Him.
Because explanations eventually run out.
But our personal relationship with Him remains.
GOD'S INVITATION IN THE NIGHT
One of the greatest temptations during painful seasons is to pull away from God.
We become discouraged. Frustrated. Confused. Maybe even angry.
And before long, the very One who can sustain us becomes the One we avoid.
Yet God's invitation remains the same. "Come closer."
Not because He is demanding perfection. But because He desires a relationship with us.
Psalm 46:10 says:
"Be still, and know that I am God."
Notice it doesn't say:
"Be still and understand everything."
It says: "Be still and know."
There is a difference.
Sometimes we think being still means doing nothing.
But biblical stillness is active trust.
It's saying:
"God, I don't understand this battle, but I believe You are still God."
"I don't know how this will turn out, but I believe You are still good."
"I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I trust the One who does."
Being still is not surrendering to hopelessness.
It's surrendering to God.
A Personal RELATIONSHIP with Him CHANGES EVERYTHING
Think about your closest friendships.
Trust didn't happen overnight.
Trust was built through time.
Conversation. Shared experiences.
Walking through difficult moments together.
The same is true in our relationship with God.
The more we spend time with Him, the more we begin recognizing His heart.
The more we recognize His heart, the easier it becomes to trust Him when life doesn't make sense.
Faith grows strongest when it is rooted in a relationship.
Not because every question gets answered.
But because we come to know the One holding us through the questions.
THREE BUILDING BLOCKS
Let's pause and look at this week's building blocks.
Building Block #1
God Is Knowable
The God of the universe desires a relationship with you.
He is not distant. He is not hiding. He invites us to know Him.
And we come to know the Father through His Son, Jesus.
Jesus reveals God the Father to us. He teaches us that understanding and having a relationship with Him is the only way to truly know the Father. In the book of Matthew, Jesus says,
Matthew 11:27 (NLT)My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Building Block #2
Relationship Grows Through Time Spent Together
Every healthy relationship requires time and attention.
The same is true with God. We cannot know His heart if we never spend time in His presence.
There was a Facebook post from John Bevere where he explains that dwelling in God’s presence transforms us and reveals His heart. As you spend time with Him, your desires align with His, and you begin to see life from His perspective.
I can testify from my own personal journey that this is true.
2 Corinthians 3 - teaches that as believers, when we focus on Christ, the Holy Spirit continuously changes us to become more like Him, reflecting God’s glory in our daily lives.
2 Corinthians 3:18: (NLT)So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Simply meaning that as we focus on God openly and honestly, His Spirit progressively changes us to look more and more like Jesus Christ. We aren’t trying harder to change. It is not about behavior modification. It is about unveiling our face before Him, being open and honest enough to trust Him with all of our brokenness. The stuff that just plain sucks sometimes, and going to Him and saying, I can’t deal with this, I can’t handle this, but in Christ I can, in Christ I can do all things, including this night season I am in. Because the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us!
Romans 8:11 (NLT) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
Take heart! You, my friend, are not on your own!
Building Block #3
Faith Becomes Stronger When It Is Rooted In Relationship
When storms come, our relationship with God becomes an anchor.
Knowing God personally helps us trust Him even when we cannot understand what He is doing.
Hebrews 6:18-19: (NLT)So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Our faith in Jesus Christ provides unshakeable stability and hope during the unpredictable storms and the night seasons of life.
Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
We don’t grow stronger by trying harder on our own. We become stronger when we are rooted in Christ. Grow your roots, your relationship deep in Him.
ENCOURAGEMENT
Maybe today you're walking through a night season.
Maybe you're carrying questions. Maybe you're carrying disappointment.
Maybe you're waiting for answers that haven't arrived.
Can I encourage you today?
Don't let the darkness convince you to move away from the very One who can guide you through it.
His Word is still a lamp to your feet. His presence is still near.
His promises are still true. And His heart toward you has not changed.
Even in the night. Especially in the night.
Father,
Thank You for being a God who desires to be known.
Thank You that You are not distant, unreachable, or indifferent to our lives.
Help us move beyond simply knowing about You and grow into a deeper relationship with You.
When life becomes confusing, teach us to trust Your heart even when we cannot trace Your hand.
When questions remain unanswered, help us remember Your faithfulness.
Draw us closer to You during every season, especially during the difficult ones.
Help us be still and know that You are God.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
TEASER FOR NEXT WEEK
Next week, we're going to explore a beautiful truth that often gets overlooked in our pain.
What happens when life appears dead, but God sees something we cannot?
We'll talk about new shoots, hidden growth, resurrection life, and how God can bring beauty from places that seem beyond repair.
Until next time, remember:
The God who hung the stars wants to be known by you.
And that relationship can carry you through even the darkest night.
Remember, if you do not already have a local church home - and you are not in the area, please join us online for Sunday service at Valley Family Church! If you are nearby, please join us for the 9 AM or the 11:15 services and let them know Diana invited you:)
You can find the link for Valley’s Sunday service, the notes from today’s podcast, and Pastor Eric’s message How to Follow Jesus: , Living By Faith -
You can find all of it on our website -heartfeltconversations.com
like us & follow us on our Heartfelt Conversations with Diana Facebook page! Help us to get the Gospel of the Good News out there! Let’s make heaven crowded! lol
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (NLT)
God bless & I’ll see ya next time on Heartfelt Conversations with Diana!
Pastor Eric’s message:
How to Follow Jesus: Living by Faith | Pastor Eric Jones
Valley Family Church YouTube Channel for Sunday Service:
https://www.youtube.com/@ValleyFamilyChurch/streams
Heartfelt Conversations with Diana Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583338513059
Diana’s Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkeS6qzdekMr55A_b1cG_Yv2fy_BvQ27D
Thirst Quenchers
Songs to Inspire You
Made Me Glad - Hillsong Worship
Casting Crowns - Loving My Jesus (Audio)
This I Believe (The Creed) - Hillsong Worship
Foundational Encouraging Verses:
Isaiah 42:16: God’s Word Translation
I will lead the blind on unfamiliar roads. I will lead them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. I will make rough places smooth. These are the things I will do for them, and I will never abandon them.
Isaiah 54:10: Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Psalm 119:105: Your word is a light unto our path and a light unto our feet.
Isaiah 54:17: But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!
Isaiah 52:12: (EASY) But you will not have to hurry and run away. No, the Lord, Israel's God, will keep you safe. He will lead you at the front, and He will be your guard at the back.
Isaiah 46:10: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
Matthew 7:11: So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
1 Peter 2:23 tells us - When He was insulted, He did not answer back with an insult; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but placed His hopes in God, the righteous Judge.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
1 Peter 2:12 says, “Live such good lives among the pagans that… they may see your good deeds and glorify God.”
The New Living Translation reads it this way: Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Now choose life."
Luke 6:37“Forgive, and you will be forgiven”.
Matthew 6:14: If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
Romans 8:31 in the AMP Bible tells us: What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?
Psalm 65:11: You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 32:8: The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Proverbs 15:3: The Lord sees everything, whether good or bad.
1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
Additional Resources:
Steven Furtick: Triggered Taking Back Your Mind in the Age of Anxiety
Beth Jones: Getting a Grip on the Basics is a great resource to help you get the basics of how vital you are to God and how good He desires to be to you
https://www.thebasicsuniversity.com
Joyce Meyer: The Mind is a Battlefield - https://joycemeyer.org
Prayer of Salvation
Jesus has given salvation, healing, and countless benefits to all who call upon His name. These benefits can be yours if you receive Him into your heart by saying this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to You admitting that I am a sinner. Right now, I choose to turn away from sin, and I ask You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I believe that Jesus rose again from the dead so that I may be justified and made righteous through faith in Him. I call upon the name of Jesus Christ to be the Savior and Lord of my life. Jesus, I choose to follow You, and I ask that You fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. I declare right now that I am a born-again child of God. I am free from sin and full of the righteousness of God. I am saved in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This prayer and the comment above were taken out of the book:
Secrets to Powerful Prayer - Discovering the Languages of the Heart
By Lynne Hammond and Patsy Cameneti
If you have just received Jesus as your Savior, please write Lynne Hammond Ministries at:
PO Box 29469
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55429-2946
Or, email one of the ministries listed on the Additional Resources Tab and let them know that you are a brand-new Christian and need some direction on the next steps for your new life in Christ.
Or email us here at Heartfelt Conversations with Diana, and we will forward your information to you.
Congratulations if you are a brand new Christian or if you have Returned Home! Welcome!!! Get in God’s Word and get it into you.