God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done…
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1-3, 8a, 10-11)

I'm sure most of you can imagine that this has been one of the hardest years for Cathy and me. With her cancer treatments earlier in the year and now the difficult process of seeking the best second and third opinions, it has felt like this is a never-ending trial. Additionally, the last four months of my mother’s worsening dementia and her move to a memory-care facility in Tequesta have made it a particularly tough season.

As we navigate these troubled waters, I thought of Jesus’ words: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). I also reflected on something I heard a Kansas City preacher say years ago: “Life is hard, but it is good.” Both Jesus and the preacher are right; life is full of challenges, and life is also good. Hopefully, anyone with even a hint of human experience can say, Amen!

So when life gets tough, and I feel overwhelmed with distress and discouragement, tempting me to give up, I must remember to pause, be still, and sit beneath God’s fountain of amazing grace. Yesterday, I reminded myself of this, and I want to remind you as well, with several practical ways to be still and recognize that God is in control.

     …Come to Jesus, who provides rest for the weary and troubled in heart. (Matthew 11:28)
     …Come to Jesus, who offers joy instead of mourning, and praise instead of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3)
     …Come to Jesus, who grants supernatural peace to guard our minds and hearts from anxiety.  
(Philippians 4:7)
     …Come to Jesus, who assures us that his sovereign care will work everything together for our good. (Romans 8:28)
     …Come to Jesus, who empowers us to fight every battle. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

If you're troubled or discouraged, listen to the psalmist's words, be still, and know that God is God!

The Lord’s peace be with you!

Joe