“To You, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold, my faithful God.” Psalm 59:17 HCSB
“Life Is Tough, But God Is Faithful”
I read the words of today’s title in comments about the lyrics of Mercy Me’s song “Even If.”* It was quoted from Sheila Walsh at a Women of Faith Conference. It’s so true. Life is tough most days, but God is ALWAYS faithful.
I’ve felt very overwhelmed this week: a relentless job workload, my mom is having a heart procedure out of town that I’m unable to travel to, and there is some major upheaval in the life of one of my kids.
Looking out at the circumstances, I confess I can hardly breathe. I can only see so far into, and only do so much within, them. But when I choose to look up and focus on God, I am reminded how able He is and how faithful He has been in other tough times in my life.
I don’t know how these issues are going to work out, but as I prayed about them, as I looked up and gave God my frustrations and my fears, He in return spoke gentle and loving words to me.
He revealed the pressure I am putting on myself at work, driven by a fear of failure and the need to feel useful and productive. He reminded me again, I am enough in Him. I am loved and adored by Him not because of what I do, but because of who I am in His Son.
With my mom, it’s the fear of what if something goes wrong and I’m not there to catch it? The fact the procedure is one day before the anniversary of my father’s death doesn’t help. Completely different circumstances, but I wasn’t there to catch that either. God gently reminded me, some things simply aren’t mine to catch. He was there with my dad and He will be there with my mom as well.
The kid issue is a relational one. There is both relief and heartache. A chance for a new beginning or a stepping back into unhealthy patterns which have helped shape more than a decade of her young life. I want to run over and “help”—making sure the change happens—yet with the least amount of pain possible for all concerned. Another gentle reminder from God: she needs to do this. I can be supportive, but this is her journey, not mine.
Part of “Even If” goes like this:
“I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt
Would all go away if You’d just say the word
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone.
You’ve been faithful, You’ve been good
All of my days
Jesus, I will cling to You
Come what may
‘Cause I know You’re able
I know You can”
“God, life is tough, but You truly are faithful. Whatever happens, may we hope in, and sing praises to, You alone. Amen.”
Amen!
This is good and Even If is a song that I love. Thank you for sharing.
I had a tough week too, and appreciate your God-given insight. Thank you for sharing.