Never Alone

We all face hardship in our lives. Sometimes it blindsides us-a terrible accident, a sudden loss of employment. Other times we see the unpleasant times coming-someone is terminally ill, a loved one battling depression. We have a choice about how we deal with these tough times. We can either ignore them, pretend that they are not happening or that they don’t bother us, or we can embrace the troubles and deal with them head on knowing that God is by our side every step of the way.

Isaiah talks about the servant Jesus, who resolutely set out to face his death in Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday long ago. He “set his face like flint” and faced his hardship head on. He knew that God would be with him and help him through all that he was to face.

We can follow Jesus’ example when we are dealing with our own difficulties. We, as Christians, have the reassurance that God is walking with us. He is crying tears of sorrow when we experience the death of a loved one. He is holding our hand when we battle disease. We, too, can resolutely face our challenges. Like Jesus, we know that we are never alone.

God, thank you for being with us when we face all of life's trying times. Amen. — TB