When Things Go Awry

<p>If I were to tell you a secret, I think you would see that you shared in my secret. What if I were to tell you that I secretly struggle with having faith in God’s plans when things go awry? It’s true. As I go through this fun adventure we call life, I have my good moments when I raise my hand and proclaim, “God is so good!” But I also have my moments when the worry of life becomes too much, and I wonder if God can see me in this low valley that I’m in... and if He has time for me.</p><p>.</p><p>It’s easy to hold on to God’s promises when life is going the way that makes sense to us, when things seem safe and predictable. But what about when things seem to go off track? If you’re anything like me, you might be sitting there imagining yourself having the perfect response and the deepest faith and trust in God, even when the world is falling apart. But let’s be honest for a minute. If the thing we feared most were to happen right now, what would our response really be? We would probably shake silently as we begged for it not to be true. We would probably pray and ask God to let this be a bad dream and let us wake up soon.</p><p>.</p><p>When things are crashing down around us, the worry hits us without our consent and sends a round of crazy thoughts through our head. What happened to God, though? It didn’t take Him by surprise. It didn’t catch Him off guard. Instead, He’s sitting there with His hand outstretched saying, “Come to me, my child. Come home. I see your pain, and I am grieving your hurts with you. Let me give you the strength and faith you need to hold on and to keep your eyes on me. And even when you feel yourself slipping, I won’t let you go.”</p><p>.</p><p>As you close your eyes and hear His gentle voice reminding you that you aren’t alone in this mess, you can rest in His promise: “For I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you’” (Isaiah 41:13). • Mary Garner</p><p>.</p><p>• Consider taking a moment to imagine if the thing you feared most were t