Sometimes...

Sometimes the news on the other end of the telephone is NOT what I want to hear.

Sometimes the verdict handed down is NOT what I'm expecting.

Sometimes the answer I've been anticipating in NOT forthcoming.

And sometimes, as a result, my fears assail me.

My anxieties overwhelm me.

My worries flood over me.

Because sometimes my world feels like it's crashing in... like its very foundations are shaking to the core.

And sometimes I simply canNOT handle the load I've been given.

And as a result I question and doubt and fret and worry and wonder, why, LORD, why?

And then sometimes I just need to be reminded...

that the LORD who created the universe,

the LORD who formed the fish of the sea & the birds of the air,

the LORD who made me, "fearfully & wonderfully,"

the LORD who stepped down from His throne

to enter this fallen world in the form of a helpless babe,

the LORD who gave His very life for me

and then rose from the grave three days later,

still cares.

And loves.

And protects.

And defends.

And comforts.

And uplifts.

And heals.

And that nothing, absolutely NOTHING, takes Him by surprise.

Nothing, absolutely NOTHING, happens by accident.

And nothing, absolutely NOTHING, is impossible with HIM.

Sometimes I need to remember.

So that as I'm tempted to question and doubt and fret and worry,

I'm able to recall that

the LORD uses our crises,

our moments of panic and struggle,

our periods of grief and despair,

for His glory....

for His divine purposes...

for His will to be accomplished IN us and THROUGH us.

And that I need to expect... to anticipate... the revelation of that almighty glory.

I need to remember that God still sits on His throne.

That He has not forsaken,

He has not forgotten,

He has not stopped loving or caring or protecting or defending,

And that He's here, in the midst of it all.

And He always will be.

Sometimes I just need to remember....

"I lift up my eyes to the hills--

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip--

He who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, He who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you--

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm--

He will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore."

Psalm 121