God
Sustains Us
Even
to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have
made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
–
Isaiah 46:4
Some seasons are just hard. Some days seem to never
end. Some times life seems so meaningless. Some hours we struggle to breath.
And then it gets better.
I look around and see so much suffering and heartache.
As I write this, coastal areas in South Carolina and North Carolina are evacuating.
A catastrophic hurricane is headed toward those beautiful states. I know what’s
coming. I’ve been where they are. High winds. Flooding. Buildings destroyed.
Roads wiped away. And power out for a long time. I pray for those in harms way.
And I pray for those first responders who are already there and the ones who
will soon be heading into the aftermath.
We are blessed that way. Those who go toward disaster
are amazing people. In my own community, there are groups specially trained in
disaster relief. They can cook for the masses. They can cut up downed trees. They
can rip out wet carpet and wipe down mold from walls. They can rebuild. And
they can give hugs, offer prayers, and wipe tears. They go where they’re
needed.
I watch a sweet friend struggle through the days that
follow sudden death. Her husband was too young to die. He was supposed to be
okay. He’s supposed to be at home with her and their kids. I know. He’s in
heaven and having a joyous time. But she’s here and it hurts. The emptiness
never really goes away. And none of us can really help her. We can love her. We
can send cards and offer hugs. But we can’t erase the pain that rests in her
broken heart.
And yet her faith is amazing. She clings tightly to
Jesus, showing all of us what it means to let Him carry you when you are too
overwhelmed to take another step. She continues to reach out to others. She
gives of herself to ministries they supported. She is an example of goodness.
We are blessed to be part of her journey.
It’s just so easy to focus on the bad. It’s easy to
forget that while there are some awful things happening right now, there are
also some pretty amazing things happening too. And while there are some pretty
awful people around, there are some pretty amazing people around too.
Focus on what’s good and right. That’s what the Bible
tells us. We have a choice to think about good things or to think about the
bad. Choose the good and watch how it multiplies.
A friend asked me yesterday if I was worried about
something I face. Honestly? No. Do you know why? Because Jesus was right when
He said that no amount of worrying can or will add another day to my life. I’m
not in control. God is. Whatever is going to happen, will happen. Worrying won’t
change it. But worrying would steal the peace I have today.
I have always loved this verse from Isaiah. When times
get tough and I’m not sure I can face the days ahead, I remember that God made
me. I belong to Him. And He will help me and sustain me. He will carry me when
I am too weak to take another step. And He will love me no matter what.
That’s the hope I cling to when I am overwhelmed. I
pray it’s the hope the folks evacuating from the hurricane will cling to as well.
No amount of worrying will change what’s to come. We can only pray for strength
to handle the aftermath. And we can look around and find joy in the helping
hands God sends to carry us when times are tough.
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