Around the Corner
What’s it like living when we don’t know what's around the next bend in the road? When we aren’t sure that the plans are going to go through? When we aren’t sure we are going to make it?
It’s so easy to lose heart when the unexpected hits. When our current way of living is derailed. Our breath is taken.
It’s hard to watch those I love and genuinely care about, hurt. I don’t like it when those around me are upset. Perhaps it's the tension created in the air or the noticeable heaviness in the room. I am a fixer. I want things and people to be okay.
Our community faced a great loss recently. A man well-known and loved by many ended his life suddenly. I didn’t know him personally, but I knew people who did. And they were hurting. They were and still are grieving his loss and the void left behind.
I was reminded that God knows all of the little details. He knows things we never will and still extends His love and grace to us. In times of celebration and in times of unimaginable grief.
Maybe you are reading this, and you were impacted by the young man's death that I mentioned above. Words seem inadequate but please know that I am so sorry. I pray for peace and healing in the days ahead.
Maybe you’re reading this, and you’re just overwhelmed. You’re tired. You don’t know what’s up ahead around the corner and it may seem like there’s no way things could ever work out.
Take it all to Jesus. He can handle it all. Every single piece of it. And he still loves you more than you know.
Well-known David in the Old Testament expressed anguish about his circumstances on more than one occasion. And he also praised God. A reminder to us that God can handle it. He knows every single intricate detail about our lives and wants us to come to him with all of our concerns, pains, and questions. He will love us through it.
Make the choice today that you won’t hold onto that pain by yourself. Trust that even though you may not know exactly what’s around the corner, God does. He will give you the strength you need for one moment at a time. Give yourself grace.
Psalm 13, NLT
O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.
But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
