“I don’t want to look back on my life – my beautiful, wonder-filled, God-given life – and realize that I’ve mostly missed it while I was busy preparing for the worst.”
I read those words and whispered out loud, Oh, Lord. Yes. So true.
The awareness of what I could miss, and the hope in what I could experience, took my breath away.
(Susie Larson included those words by Nicole Zasowski in her new book “Closer Than Your Next Breath: Where is God When You Need Him Most?” Oh, what a hope-filled book for these days!)
You and I have experienced moments of uncertainty, anxiety, and discouragement. And we have experienced joy and peace in moments of laughter, healing, and hope. Sometimes those moments show up on the same day. We live – we have to live – in the both/and. Life is good, and life is hard.
In seasons when the next shoe keeps dropping, and we can’t seem to find a moment to catch our breath before more bad news comes, we instinctively put up our defenses and prepare. Right? Prepare ourselves for the “What if …” and plan for the worst-case scenario. It’s a natural reaction to protect our hearts, stuff away some of the hurt, and try desperately to control and fix the situation.
But what happens when we get so focused on the hard, that we don’t see the good? I’ve been there. You too?
Next week I’m speaking at a retreat in Iowa for those who are in the middle of life’s challenges—either as part of their own personal journey or they’re walking alongside a loved one during a hard season. We’re setting aside a day to connect to The Source of our Hope and Resilience. A day of encouragement. And today I want to share some of that encouragement with you.
We’re going to remember that we are loved by a really big God. A faithful God. A God who has good things planned for us.
We’re going to remember that our circumstances do not diminish God’s power, change His promises, or remove His presence.
We’re going to remember that God is good.
You may want to re-read those reminders, my friend. Write them on a notecard and tape them to your fridge or bathroom mirror. Repeat them when your heart is beating too fast. They are promises that God will keep.
May these words from Psalm 16:9-11 (The Voice) soothe your soul and bring peace to your mind today:
“This is a good life –
my heart is glad,
my soul is full of joy,
and my body is at rest.
Who could want for more?
You will not abandon me
to experience death and the grave
or leave me to rot alone.
Instead, You direct me on the path
that leads to a beautiful life.
As I walk with You,
the pleasures are never-ending,
and I know true joy and contentment.”
God is good and God is faithful.
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