“Zion said, ‘The Lord has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a woman forget her baby who nurses at her breast? Can she withhold compassion from the child she has borne? Even if mothers were to forget, I could never forget you! Look, I have inscribed your name on my palms; your walls are constantly before me.” – Isaiah 49:14-16 New English Translation.
Justin had waited years for this hour. The Provost’s Dinner felt like a formality—everyone knew the only thing that mattered was the noticeboard and the finals’ results. As midnight crept toward his birthday, he pushed through the crowd, eyes scanning for his name.
Two passes. One fails. Not graduating. Not tonight. Not with his class.
Calls flooded in— “Happy birthday!”—but they didn’t know what was happening to him. He slipped away and walked to his room, face buried in a pillow, tears he didn’t want witnessed. Friends came knocking. Comfort felt impossible. God felt distant. He felt abandoned and forsaken by God! “Beloved, have you ever felt abandoned or forgotten by God?” I have—because I was Justin in this story. Three months later, I sat the remaining course—and failed again. I joined the junior class and waited six more months. That season carved a truth into stone in my heart:
The Unshakable Truth: God Never Abandons Nor Forgets His Own Children
When feelings screamed, “Forsaken!” the Word of God answered, “Never.” (Isaiah 49:15; 1 Samuel 12:22; Hebrews 13:5–6; Isaiah 43:2).
And God proved it in my life—opening a way of escape, restoring, and uplifting me.
The Scripture That Turned the Tide
1 Corinthians 10:13. The only temptation [or trials] that has come to you is that which everyone has [ (common to) human life]. But you can trust God [God is faithful], who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, He will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand [endure] it. (Expanded Bible).
The Overcomer`s Mindset That Changes Everything (S.A.F.E. Acronym) from 1 Corinthians 10:13.
S — See your challenge as Common.
A — Acknowledge God’s Faithfulness.
F — Frame Yourself as Able.
E — Expect the Escape.
S — See your challenge as Common (Ordinary):
Don’t crown your challenge as special. If you make it special, you make it stronger.
A — Acknowledge God’s Faithfulness:
Trials are temporary; God’s character isn’t. He’s trustworthy in pressure.
F — Frame Yourself as Able:
Agree with God’s verdict: “You are able to stand.” Ability grows where agreement lives.
E — Expect the Escape:
Look for the God-door. There is always a way out.
R.E.N.E.W. Your Mind With God`s Word (Romans 12:2).
R — Recognize the lie (“God left me”) and reject it. (Romans 3:4 and John 8:44).
E — Exchange it for God`s truth in His Word (Isaiah 49:15; John 8:32; Hebrews 13:5–6).
N — Nourish your heart daily with the Word—faith comes by hearing. (Romans 10:17; Josh. 1:8).
E — Engage your mouth: speak Scripture until your soul catches up. (Prov. 18:21 & Rom. 10:10).
W — Walk out small obedience steps—motion multiplies momentum. (Isaiah 1:19 & John 2:5).
