If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome!
In today’s devo, I shared about how my sweet guy dances to his own tempo, regardless of the beat of the music or how anyone else is dancing.
Then one day I thought that I’d see what happened if I matched my rhythm to his. It changed everything!
Maybe you’ve felt out of sync in your relationship with God. Is it possible to find that rhythm again?
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:8a (NLT)
I love that promise. It’s not complicated. It’s not demanding. I don’t have to perform a list of tasks to get there from here.
Just come close to me.
How do we do that?
Drop your defenses
Imagine standing before God. Vulnerable. Just as you are. With the good and the messy, with your work-in-progress and a heart reaching for Him.
Don’t offer excuses. Don’t try to bargain. Don’t try to figure it all out. Don’t argue with Him or try to make Him see it your way.
Trust Him.
Hold out your arms and let Him take the lead. 
Come boldly
We’ve messed up this word in our culture. We think of it as ego or sashaying in as if no one else in the place matters.
That’s not what this means. Not at all.
It’s coming to Him without shame. It’s settling in to His presence, so holy and hushed and powerful. It’s feeling at home as you listen for His voice, and open up and just talk with Him. It’s knowing that you are welcome and not a nuisance, but rather a daughter.
If there’s sin, don’t run the other way. Run straight into the arms of the One who took that sin for you.
Don’t force it
We think that intimacy with God looks like something specific, when any relationship with merit is unique and forms over time.
If you sense God asking you to do something, take one small step. You don’t have to have it all figured out — beginning to end. It’s the act of walking with Him that changes you, not the finish line.
Ask for wisdom along the way. If you find yourself heading in the wrong direction, turn.
You don’t have to force the rhythm between you and the Lord. He’ll show you who He is as you spend time with Him, as you soak in His word, and as you ask the Holy Spirit to gently speak into your heart.
Come close to me and I’ll come close to you.
That’s our promise.
Suzie
Imagine a heart without bitterness or unresolved anger. A heart that’s relieved of those feelings you don’t want, but which you’ve held tight for way too long.
Discover how to forgive in such a way that you are free to move past the past. The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness
I am giving away one copy today. Just share a comment below.
And it’s important to always remember that God meets us where we are. No need to push ourselves to hard. 🙂 Beautiful words!
Reading your blog today literally brought tears to my eyes. I’ve known for some time that I was missing something or should I say someone in my life but it took you, today to wake me up! I would love to win your book 😀
Praying as you seek God and fill that void with His love!
I thank the Lord I can draw close to him . I am a work in progress that is loved by the Father!
I love that we are all works in progress, and yet, He meets us right where we are! Blessings!
Thank you for reminding me that I can come to the Father just as I am-broken, unglued, etc., and He’ll accept me and wrap His arms of unconditional love around me and dance with me in beautiful fields of grace! I’d love to win a copy of your book.
What a great illustration of just being in God’s presence and allowing Him to lead! It sounds so simple yet for a control-freak like myself it’s a daily struggle. Thank you for the reminder to just enjoy His presence and allow Him to take the lead and control. He’s more than capable to handle all the responsibility and dancing with Him can be such a beautiful experience when I let go and enjoy being with my Heavenly Father.
I agree with you, Hope! As a recovering control freak myself, it’s so freeing to lay it all at His feet and enjoy the dance with my Father!
Great timing with this message! Thank you . And boy, could I use this book!!! 🙂
I need and want an Unburdened Heart! I want and need to find the freedom of forgiveness!
Thank you for your encouraging words!
Heavenly Father, speak to Kelly today. Show her your love and guide her through the forgiveness journey. Offer strength and courage as she walks into freedom with you, leaving her past in your hands.
My heart needs softening from years of built-up bitterness.
Lord, come close to Michelle today. Give her the courage to commit the bitterness to you; to lay it at Your feet and allow You to heal her broken places. Soften her heart with your sweet love, Lord. Shower her with blessings today.
I really enjoyed your post today. Would love to win a copy!
What a great meassage! So simple yet so hard for those of us who think we have to be in control or handle everything. Just let go and let God! This is still a hard one for me but I’m working on it day by day. God is so good! Thanks for sharing such a great story to remind me to walk with Him just as I am, one day at a time!
Great devotion!! Thanks for sharing😊
Thank you for this message, it is inspiring and I am a baby in the word. My brother tried very hard before he went home to be with Jesus to teach me. I faltered for a long time but I am finding my way back. I know that Jesus never left me but I did leave him. I want to go wherever God leads me but I need all the help and encouragement I can get along the way, so your blog was very inspirational to me and I thank you.
Dolores, I love your words. God meets us right where we are. He sees your heart and He rejoices in you! Keep pressing into Him. There is a song by Kari Jobe that says,
“The more I seek you, the more I find you.
The more I find you, the more I love you.
I wanna sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand.
Lay back against you and breath, feel your heart beat
This love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace, it’s overwhelming.”
Rest in His presence today, sweet friend. Seek Him, and you will find Him. Continue to feed on His Word. Prayers as He leads you!
This is a beautiful message. Thank you for sharing your insight.
“It’s the act of walking with Him that changes you, not the finish line.” This is such a great thought! I’ve been a believer since I was 6 (30 years) and since my early teens I have seen many ebbs and flows in my devotion to God. I’ve noticed that the thing that draws me deepest into my relationship with Christ are seasons of loneliness in my relationships with friends or family. This latest season of my life has produced the most intimacy with Him, but it is all built on the changes He has made in my life over the years….and for the for the first time, it doesn’t feel like an “ebb & flow” situation….it feels like the tide is rising and is going to stay high, so to speak.
That was my favorite line as well! Praying as you continue to rest in Him!
Thank you. Needed this today.
Beautiful message today!!! I’m getting ready to begin a new journey in my life and I am needing to dance with God let him take control! Great scripture and great cheaper to read as we’ll! I have been feeling like I have to have everything figured out and planned ahead and I don’t God already does for me!! God is so great and all mighty! Thank you again for this message!
Thank you for reminding us of the faithfulness of God. Each day I am reminded of his unchanging hand, constant and very consistent grace and mercy. His unconditional ever lasting love and life. Thank you thank you. As I read my morning devotion – each day, a new chapter unfolds/ a new level of intimacy with God- a new perspective peaks daily. I am so grateful to God the lord our father for not letting me go in spite of me and the mess that I am. Amen.
Thank you for this post today. I know a woman whose heart is so burdened with unforgiveness against her former husband and I would love to give this book to her. I read your book on kindle…only problem is you can’t share like a book! I’m sure whoever gets your book will be blessed.
This was right on time for me today. I’ve been struggling with doubt, fear and trusting God. I love to dance and I love the analogy in today’s message. I need to come closer to God. Thank you.
Praying as you learn to lean on His everlasting arms! Place the fear and doubt at His feet. He sees you right where you are, and He knows your heart. It’s hard to relinquish those doubts and fears, and fully trust. But He is faithful, and you will stand amazed at His goodness once you allow yourself to surrender them to Him. Praying you find rest in him today!
Thank YOU for your beautiful devotional today! I love the true promise that if you let God in He will lead us. I struggle with false hopes of people. To know that God loves me and knows me better than anyone else gives me true hope! Thank you for that reminder!
I often get angry. I think it is because I have a hard time forgiving and letting go of hurt. Would love a copy it your book!
I love the way you defined ‘boldly’ – coming without shame! Had a conversation today about coming boldly before His throne and will share your definition with her. Thanks so much for the reminder of how to be in sync – it’s not about ME! I can step into the rhythm and enjoy or I can try to control. Thank You, Jesus, for loving me where I am! Would love a copy of the book!
I love the message in this devotion and blog post today. I would love to win a copy of your book.
Suz – I started out just going to read the first few lines of your devotion over breakfast to Greg this morning. I knew he would think it was funny. I loved the line about Richard and could just see his smiling eyes looking at you.
Then you pulled me in.
I’ve been trying to do some dance from days gone by when God is trying to teach me something new. I’m not quite sure what it is, but in order to get it, I’ve got to let the old rhythm go so I can learn His new.
Thank you, friend! And thank Richard for being vulnerable too 🙂
I am learning day by day about God’s word through Proverbs31 and the bible. Makes me feel content
when I learn new bible verses, I am a note person information I can go back too. In my heart I believe
I have lots to work on about forgiving. After reading this post has helped me a lot and thank you God
Suzie.
I so want to follow His lead and surrender. Thank you for your devotional this morning. I would love to read your book.
I loved this devotional and blog post! It’s funny how God puts the messages you really need in your life.
This post was a real eye opener for me in regards of going with the flow with my husband. I need to slow down and stop worrying about how things are done all the time and be happy he wants me to go with his flow and enjoy life more.
Your words of encouragement have helped me stand at God’s feet and admit I’m scared! I’m not going to force my intimacy with Him, just allow Him to lead, taking baby steps….😍 Thanks!
Sometimes it is so hard to follow the leading that seems to throw us out of sync. Thanks so much for the reminder.
Exactly what I needed to hear today!! I need this book. I struggle so bad to obey God because im so worried about my husband all the time. I do,t trust that God is leading him so I feel like I have to. I really need this book
Thank you so much. This is the first time I have read your blog. I will be back.
Many blessings to you.
Finding you today was so timely! I’ve recently been told by my dil that our personalities are too different and she’s tried but just can’t find affection for me. I am heart broken. I don’t know what to do or how to act. Now, I will simply draw near to God and wait on Him. Thank you.
Today’s message was truly for me. I have being struggle with not giving God enough time. My sister recently had a stroke and I went to Maryland and bought her back to North Carolina to relax, recover and renew her strength.
Since returning home I’ve pretty much been on autopilot cooking, caring for her, taking her out and enjoying her visit.
But something was nagging at my spirit. I realize I was not giving God his time. I started back carving out quality time again in prayer, worship, song and poetry.
This morning I wrote the below poem and proceeded to my devotionals. There I found a name for what I was feeling in today message from Suzie Eller What to Do When You Feel out of “Sync”. I realize I had drifted away and was feeling disconnected to my father. I received confirmation when I came across the very same words I had just wrote in my poem moments before reading Suzie’s …”Whatever You say, Lord, I’ll listen.Wherever You are leading, Father, I’ll go. Whatever You ask me to do, I’ll do it.”
Father God thank you for revealing yourself to me. Thank you for using Suzie as a vessel to brings us back into your alignment. Father bless her ministry and all who come to this place to seek you, in Jesus name Amen.
Yes Lord
To Whatever you say
To Whatever you need
To Whatever you want
My answer will always be Yes!
You are my daily strength
You are the void filler
My answers and my questions
You are in the very air that I breath and in
Every step that I take.
Lord make my life a living sacrifice that reflect
and aluminate Your brilliant spectacular light. Father let your light shine brightly in me, let it brighten dark places and become a beacon to those who seek you.
Thank you for loving me at my lowest moments and thank you for always staying by my side and blessing me through the peaks and valleys of this life.
Oh, this is absolutely beautiful! Prayers for your sister as she heals, and for you as you continue to be caretaker. What a blessing you are! Hang in there sweet lady; God is within you, and He is faithful!
What a message would love to read!
I have been struggling with this lately. I feel like I talk to Him, but can’t always hear Him–unless it’s HUGE. I have been pushing myself and getting more and more frustrated and sad.
Would love to read your book. I am going through some very trying circumstances. My desire is to not let bitterness take control or be mean and spiteful in return. There is tremendous power in forgiveness.
There is, indeed! It is so very hard, but oh my goodness, the freedom that follows forgiveness is absolutely life changing! Praying that you are able to walk into that freedom today, as He guides you through the journey. Blessings!
I love how this spoke to me this morning. It is so easy to get out of sync with the Lord and then come to him with our excuses when all he needs is us to open our arms to his! Thank you!!
Thank you and truly, Suzie, your words speak life. We are looking at changes in our small group and I worry about everyone’s feelings, the impact, etc. this devo spoke to me to again, let God be God. I love the phrase, “I became a better dance partner.” Thank you and bless you.
What a timely message! I have been thinking about the root of bitterness and the effects that bitterness and unforgiveness have on our health. I long to be healthy and let go of all my resentments. I would love to read your book.
These things absolutely do affect our health! Praying you are able to release resentments into His capable hands and live freely and healthily in His love!
I loved your devotion today. It really stirred my heart and encouraged me. Thank you.
Thank you for this devotion. I JUST had a conversation last night with my husband where I told him that I feel so burdened. Some of it is not letting disappointment get the best of me. But the other part is not letting Satan’s fiery darts (that he has successfully launched in the past) stir up old feelings of bitterness and resentment. My BFF sent me this link for a reason today!
This book would be so beneficial to you, Jill! Praying as you allow God to calm your heart and offer peace. He is faithful! May you allow Him to toss out those old feelings and replace them with forgiveness and contentment. Prayers!
Great message. Forgiveness has held me back many times from really experience true freedom.
Safe in the arms of Jesus. How beautiful. How peaceful. How comforting.
Thank you for your words of encouragement today. They really spoke to me today as I have been struggling at work for quite some time. I recognized myself in the dance as being out of sync. In my position at work I am the “leader/boss” that suppose to be a partner with another company. I need to find a way to let God lead so I can get in sync with my business partner. I appreciate your story. Thank you
Praying that God will guide you in the workplace, and offer grace in the sticky areas. Don’t be discouraged! It’s never too late to find that balance. He is faithful, and He will offer wisdom and guidance!
Wow!. I love this message.
Thank you so much for this message! I feel so out of sync with my husband and it’s so sad to me. I’m praying and reading the word, but I don’t always feel like I’m hearing God’s voice clearly for my life, my situation. I pray that I would be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and daily tasks from the Lord. Would love to read your book. Thank you!
Lord, come close to Heidi today. Offer direction and wisdom as she navigates this journey. Show her and her husband how to come back into alignment with one another, and you at the core. Become a clear voice to her, Lord. Guide her and show her how to become sensitive your Spirit. Offer encouragement and contentment within her heart. Bless her today, Lord.
This has been my struggle for a while now. I am trying to release myself, and let God lead. I feel like the chaos of my life has just become so overbearing and loud, that I have missed out on so much! Thanks for the words of encouragement!!
Father, I pray that you would meet Julie right where she stands today. Calm the storm of chaos in her life. Offer tranquility that only you can, deep within her soul. Allow her to feel you close. Assure her that it’s not too late to take back her life, to come boldly before you and claim your promise of freedom! Cover her in your sweet love today. Gently guide her into peace. Bless her today, Lord.
HI Suzie,
Thank you for your post today it was awesome ! The Lord we serve is so precious and wonderful!!Thank you for teaching us and reminding us how to get back in tune with our Lord!!God bless you and your family!!
What you said about coming to God boldly is so beautiful and true and something I’ve really learned intimately over the past several months. I love – and am so grateful – that we can freely talk to Him without having to worry if we’re doing it “right”. And in a world where everyone is busy multi-tasking and doesn’t want to take time to truly connect with each other, it’s so nice to know that my Heavenly Father intently focuses on me and listens to every single word I say, even my ramblings, and sees every single tear that falls.
Amen!
Wow, isn’t it crazy how God can speak to you through devotionals? It’s like he knew I needed to hear this today. I need to trust him in every aspect with my arms wide open. With my father dying of cancer and my feelings of anger from my childhood needs to be let go. I need my heart to be healed so I can truly enjoy this time with my father before it’s too late. My anger has made me feel out of sync with God and I need to get that back. Thank you for such a great post today!
Krystal– I am praying for you right now. I am praying that you feel God’s arms wrapped around you so so tight!!
I so needed to hear this devotional & God’s word today. At times I find myself losing my faith in my walk with the Lord & your devotion opened up my eyes to see that I must position myself to hear what he is telling me through the Holy spirit & then trusting in Him completely & then I must allow Him to lead me in my purpose & what His willis inmy life. I would love ti receive a copy of your book & learn more about forgiveness & the way I place so much on my heart & being able to set it all free. Thanks for your daily devotions & God bless!!
Brandy I pray right now that you feel the presence of the Lord and position your heart to hear from Him.
i generally feel that you can make any bible verse be appropriate for our circumstances. But the last 3 days have been so painful that i was not able to see the other side. Everything that was posted for these days has spoken directly to my pain. From first thing Monday morning through to today. Praise God for the messages I have heard and that have helped me through the difficult pain days. i know God gave me your messages (P31 OBS) and thank you all.
Rosie I am praying for you right now that you experience God’s peace that passes all understanding.. and that He continues to speak to you!
I struggle with the whole forgiveness thing. When our pastor had a sermon on forgiveness and asked if we were willing to go to hell because we couldn’t forgive, it really shook me up and I started to realize how much it was controlling me. I still don’t understand it all but am working on it. Thanks for your words of encouragement today.
“Don’t offer excuses. Don’t try to bargain. Don’t try to figure it all out. Don’t argue with Him or try to make Him see it your way. Trust Him.”
I try to bargain and figure it all out. Thank you, Suzie, for pointing out to me that the bottom line is TRUSTING IN GOD. I’ve been dealing with anxiety, depression & perimenopause! I can’t figure it out – I just can’t, but I can trust God – little step by little step. I’m amazed at how HE touches me through His servants. Thank You & proverbs31.org for always pointing me to GOD.
I don’t know where to begin with bitterness and anger. Trust me I’ve built up plenty this year. With my divorce last year and my ex starting to date a good friend of mine. My niece accused me of trying to sleep with her husband and that just rip me apart. I just don’t understand why people can lie and do that. I would never do such a thing so to this day she don’t talk to me and she tells people this and I just feel like giving her a sense of my mind. Like you known me all my life and when did I ever do something like this. Now that family don’t talk to me and she even had the guts to tell my ex husband this. Unbelieveable. I don’t to talk to nobody because I don’t trust nobody. Yes it makes me mad that people try to get me in trouble and just give me a bad rep. But thank you for this post.
Thank you for a new way to look at this. I do need help with forgivness in my family!!!
Sometimes that is exactly what it takes – a shift in our perspective is what is needed to be in sync with the Lord — and realizing that perhaps that is what is needed in a relationship that is out of sync, as well. At times, yes, letting go is the best way to open our hearts, hands and minds so that the blessing of the Lord’s healing can flow and work through us to get us back in sync with Him — or other people. Thank you for the super opportunity to try for your book. Someone will be very blessed to win and read!!!
Thanks for writing this today. I woke up this morning as I do every morning. Normally I turn on the tv for any kind of noise. But this morning just started praying and waiting to hear anything from God.I have been raised in the church but also in a very dysfunctional family. I was abused in every form there is. I am a 50 year old woman who’s done everything to try to forget my pain. Even suicide attempts. Today as I talked with God I asked HIM why can’t I hear HIM. Is it because I have too many walls up? Is it that I can’t trust that he truly loves me or maybe I just can’t forgive myself? All I do know for sure is that God loves me because I have been so reckless with my life and I know in my heart and soul without HIM I should be dead. I believe he has a bigger plan for my life and I just need to keep believing this. Thanks for letting me speak my mind. I just want to feel HIM stirring in my heart 🙂
This really ministered to me today. Staying in rhythm with the Lord is so important.
This post was right on time! This book would also be just what my heart needs!
I truly enjoyed your blog. I find it the hardest to forgive myself. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:8a How wonderful! I sometimes feel that I am meeting my Lord at the surface level, as if in a casual conversation. I know I need to meet Him at a much deeper level of being in His Word and praying.
You have no idea how today’s devotional truly was what I needed, but God does. I don’t need to share the details of my day yesterday, He already knows them. I have been a widow for going on two years. He also knows all that story, too. Proverbs 31, my family, my true friends, and going back to my home church have saved me. I would love to read your book. I need to read your book. But I can keep getting through with your devotional Bible and daily devotions. As I said, your devotion today felt like a lifeline for me. Thank you.
“It’s knowing that you are welcome and not a nuisance, but rather a daughter.” This is the line I’ve been waiting to hear and live and know in my life for almost twelve years now. The anger and unforgiveness in a family member I longed to be close to but who has hurt me and whom I have hurt because they didn’t want to forgive me or reconcile has caused a very uncomfortable and restless atmosphere and relationship. I have been praying and trusting Jesus for the changes I need to make and I’ve made a few but the journey forward isn’t easy and I still stumble and fail at times. This frustrates me a lot.
This devotion has given me what I need to pick myself up and believe I am on the right track in spite of messing up again and not condemn myself for it. I keep forgiving them but the anger in me causes me to condemn them too for not forgiving me and that is where I fail over and over. I want to feel and live the first line in this response from them. Then I know I’ll be free in my heart.
Thank you so much for sharing. I totally needed to hear this today. I’ve been dealing with some feelings towards someone that I know are wrong, yet it’s so very hard to let them go. It’s hard to make myself bring it all to God, even though I know He’s the only One who can take care of it. It’s easy to forget that we’re His daughters and that He doesn’t love us any less when we’re going through junk, but rather, He wants us to draw closer instead of running away from Him.
Thank you again for the timely words. 🙂
Tina, I love that he understands our struggles. I love what it says in Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are”. Jesus knows the struggle and He’s there with arms wide open. It’s a beautiful place for rest and help.
I really need this book. So glad I found your blog.
Dallas, Suzie’s books are life-Changing! You are sure to be blessed.
Thank you for sharing this today 🙂
Thank you for explaining what I need to do. I’ve been feeling out of sync, but can’t put my finger on exactly why. Now I know the why doesn’t matter, I just need to be still, know that He is God, and follow His lead as He shows me the way. I feel better already!
Renee, Isn’t it great when god uses someone to speak right to our need! I thought you may enjoy a verse my bible study group is studying this week: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16
Always timely Suzie. We have a bible study meeting right now and our verse of the week is Hebrews 4:16, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
I was excited to share your post in the group because I love your explanation of “come boldly”.
Thank you for always taking the time to help us draw nearer to Jesus!
Thank you for this devo, Suzie. I love the image of dancing with my Father and allowing him to lead me.
Thank you for always making God’s truths so relatable. We all can find deep meaning the way you share your experiences and weave in God’s word. Thank you.
Dear sister, thank you for writing this! This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. My husband and I just moved — left everything we knew and loved — to come to a place where we know nothing and no one. I have felt very out of sync with the Lord lately amid the move, but am leaning into His presence this morning. Bless you!!
This continues to be a struggle for me, personally. I feel as if I start going to church and get on the right track however it’s a struggle to stay in the cycle of doing so. I see others at my church that are deeper in their faith and I long for that however I know I’m not as committed as them. Im sure I sound lazy in my faith however like everyone else’s, my story is much longer and too much to comment. I appreciate your post!