...for this thing

      is from Me.

     2 Chronicles 11. 4

(Don't struggle against it,

but follow God

           through it.

What if

God meant this

    for some profound purpose

    and the welfare of many

--that which we cannot yet see--

how differently

      would we see it,

      respond to it,

      trust Him in it?

Not what if,

          but God is.

God loves us,

  not just when

       conditions are comfortable

      or the forecast is favorable,

but to the very edge of the cliff

                 and back again.

No matter what.

Even in this ________.

   Fill in the blank.)

O LORD,

You don't just know

what we are going through;

  You are already redeeming it.

Help us to follow You,

to lean on You

             for understanding,

             for strength,

    for a different heart in this.

You specialize

       in impossible situations.

   You always have,

that we would know You more,

that we would know

       it is not our strength

                    but Yours,

that we would know

     that You are God.

And we are not.

You are already redeeming.

Sometimes we don't see that

    until the rearview mirror.

Thank You that

   nothing in all of creation

   can separate us from You.