You have turned for me

   my mourning into dancing,

You have loosed my sackcloth

   and clothed me 

            with gladness...

                 Psalm 30.11

(God does not just say,

     "You will get through this."

But God promises,

   "I am doing something new

                     in you."

It is not that we are impervious

      to pain or hardship,

but we are responsive to it

  with a strength that is

                not our own.

And as it says in the next verse,

  we are able to "...sing Your praise

          and not be silent."

His joy within is not dependent

     on favorable circumstances

but breaks forth

          in unexpected places

so that we know it is

                   from Him.)

O LORD,

Help us to approach both

   blue skies and storms

         differently

   because we know You.

May others witness the

      love of Christ in us.

Empower us with courage

   to trust You in this,

to bring Your holy name to it,

and sow Your grace

   even on hard ground.

May we not dread circumstances

   but show us how to dance with You.

Our heartset is not just about us,

   but points others to You.