unimaginable difficulty

In my daily devotional this morning, Ann Spangler was talking about finding God in the midst of darkness. In her prayer at the end she said, "Father, I thank you that even the darkness is not dark to you. In the midst of unimaginable difficulty, you are always up to something good in the lives of those who love you."

That phrase "unimaginable difficulty" resonated with me. Lately I have been dealing with a deeply personal hurt. Compared with the woman in the story, the last survivor to be pulled from the World Trade Center, my story seems small. But I believe the Lord doesn't mind. I think no matter the situation, it can be difficult to someone. For the woman in the story, her unimaginably difficult situation was being buried alive. For a friend of mine, it's finding out at her 20 week check up that her baby girl won't live more than a few hours after birth.

Whatever it is for you, we must remember that God is here, He is with us, and He will never let us go. The darkness is not dark to Him. The unimaginably difficult is not unimaginable nor difficult to Him. Whether we see it or understand it, He is working all things for our good.


If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
~ Psalm 139:11-12

Psalm 121

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 121:7-8

God hasn't lost me or forgotten me. He knows exactly where I am. He has called me to step out and go once again. But I am not going alone, He will be right beside me. God cares about me and wants good things for me. He watches over my life. He knows the intimate details, the mundane, and the secret things. I can walk out with confidence that He is with me guiding my steps.

Thank you, Lord, that you care for me and that You keep me from harm. Guide my steps for all the years of my life. Amen.

steadfast

A few weeks ago, I posted on Facebook about my word for the year. I've never had a word for the year. Last year I had a song for the year ("Give Me Jesus," the All Sons & Daughters version), but I've never picked one word to focus on for the entire year.

I first heard about this idea in an article written by my new favorite Boundless blogger, Ashley Boyer. (You can read it here.) Ashley chose the word "steadfast" as her word of the year last year. I'd never understood the meaning of that word. As she described the reasons why she chose it and shared some verses that have given her strength throughout the year, I began to think it might be a good word for me. She says:

It’s a reminder that I can react one of two ways when circumstances throw me for a loop. I can choose to take it in stride and keep my eyes focused on the Lord, remembering that He makes me strong and steadfast. Or I can wallow in my emotions and spend too much time being on an emotional roller-coaster.

Wow. I'm kind of ashamed to admit how often I ride the emotional roller-coaster. So in an effort to get off the crazy, emotional coaster, I will focus on this word.

steadfast- fixed in direction; firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment; unwavering

Just for good measure, I found a verse to go along with my word. 

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.          Isaiah 26:3

If you picked one word or phrase to focus on this year, what would it be? For those who've already chosen a word, what is it? What made you choose that particular word?