Had God forgotten my address? Did I need to go outside for my prayers to rise above the ceiling of my house? Kneeling on my kitchen floor surrounded by dropped cheerios from yesterday's breakfast seemed like the place I always landed. My knees pressed to the cold tile floor, hands gripping my Bible and tears flowing down my trembling face dripping from my chin. Why wouldn't God answer me? I had heard that His line was never busy and that He cared for me, but in this moment it seemed like He had forgotten me. I tried to recall the verses that He would never leave me and that He would always answer when I call, but the answers were not coming. I must not be doing it right. Should I lay prostrate, not eat for days, maybe lock myself in my closet and wait for Him to show up in physical form? I was waiting for my burning bush moment, but I couldn't even seem to get a still small voice. I closed my Bible and went on with my day, frustrated. God had forgotten me. Answers to my needed prayers were not flowing freely, and my life seemed like it was on pause. I was walking around like a shadow in a paused world. If you have moments, seasons, or days of feeling like God has forgotten you, take heart. It may be that He is preparing things on the other side. The scene is not quite set for your viewing capabilities. Sometimes right when we feel the most alone is when God makes Himself more known than ever. One of my favorite people in the Bible is Joseph because God used Joseph's story to remind me of His presence, purpose, and protection in one of my most vulnerable seasons of life. Joseph could not see from the inside of the pit where his brothers threw him. I'm sure it was dark, and the abandonment of his family must have ripped his heart to pieces. He could not see from inside the prison. I cannot imagine what thoughts crossed his mind day after day as he was in bondage. All the while the Bible says, "The Lord was with Joseph" (Gen. 39:21). In my mind, I would think that the Lord would have delivered him quickly. Why did he have to wait so long? Why wouldn't God scoop him out of the pit? He hadn't done anything wrong. It is difficult to understand why God would orchestrate it this way, but all along God was with Joseph and had a bigger plan than he could ever imagine. You may feel like you are in the pit and alone, maybe in bondage for things that you cannot control. You have lifted your eyes and heart to the Lord, but it seems like He is not hearing you. You know God has a plan and you want to trust Him, but it is hard to understand.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

You may read these verses and think, I am trying to trust but I just have no direction. It may not be clear today, and the big picture may look impossible as you press your knees to the floor. Do not be discouraged in the quiet seasons of life that take you to the cold kitchen floor. These are the moments preparing you for what God has waiting for you just beyond the pit. So press in deep and let your tears soak pages of Scripture as you draw strength to get through today. Be encouraged thatthe Lord is with you and He has a purpose for your life. What do you do when you feel forgotten?

1. Kneel–"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." Ephesians 3:14, 16
2. Press – "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
3. Cry– "Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me; lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle." Psalm 28:1-2
4. Wait– "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee." Psalm 31:22

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

When you feel forgotten, God is at work. Wherever you are, whether you are kneeling, pressing, crying, waiting or all of the above–God has not forgotten you. He is just preparing something more amazing than you could ever dream. Joseph had dreams and could even see the meaning of others dreams, but he had to wait in the pit and prison before his assignment was revealed. Your dream will be revealed in God's perfect time. You are not forgotten.

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried; he is a buckler to all those that trust in him." Psalm 18:30

By Micah Maddox Originally published in Be Still Magazine, Issue 03.