Looking at The Hard Moments

This cry of anguish as the psalmist pleads with God for his life and is assured of God’s

answers, mirrors many of our lives in our plea for mercy. It can seem we have been through a

desert this past year, where there are more questions than answers, whether in our personal

lives and caretaking or the pandemic and world situation. Hurting it can seem God has turned

His back and that is not true. He is walking beside you through this desert. He will always love

you and is always, always faithful! The Psalms speak of God’s power, presence, intentions, and

protection from fears. God still speaks and we are encouraged to open our Bibles, listen, and

trust the direction for our lives.

Can you begin to look at the hard moments of your life and find the places where God

poured grace into them? Throughout our lives, we each have a journey of God’s faithfulness

and yet wallowing in our difficulties, our focus is usually on what we are missing, not how much

we already have. Throughout the challenges, can we find things to be grateful for and recognize

those spaces? Suze Orman writes, “When you are grateful, when you can see what you have,

you unlock blessings to flow in your life.” I am personally grateful to be able to connect with

family and friends via Zoom, Facetime, and other applications, during these unusual days. Can

we notice the things that bring us joy and light, however, simple and set an intention to ‘see’

with new eyes? Yes, it takes work and perhaps by stripping away comforts, this experience will

expose an unshakable faith that is sitting deep within us.

As anxious thoughts begin to well up in us, stop as soon as you notice them and turn to

God in prayer. Remind yourself that God is with you and that He will help you release your

burdens and concerns into His hands. Exercise your faith in God’s love and provision by trying

your best to keep moving forward. We know what it is like to pour ourselves out for someone.

It is exhausting and can make us feel sad, resentful, or anxious. Trust that God is with you,

especially in those moments when you feel as if you cannot do one more thing. He will not

abandon you! Not only will you feel His presence, but you may even feel His delight in your

willingness to serve. Years ago, God’s promise to me, “Persevere, for I will be with you.” This

did not mean that the troubles went away, it meant God’s love carried me regardless of any

outside circumstances. Can you believe this promise for yourself?

We take inspiration from the words of Lamentations 3:22-25, “The Lord’s acts of mercy

are not exhausted, His compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning – great is Your

faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, I tell myself, therefore I will hope in Him. The Lord is good

to those who trust in Him, to the one that seeks Him.”