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“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7 (ESV)

When life is hard, challenging and painful how does one find joy? Is it even really possible in the midst of disappointment and fear to praise God in the midst of unknowns?

Questions we often ask ourselves when suffering reigns high. Not always the ones we give voice to audibly, yet the inner dialogue of the soul wrestles  with this conversation.

And then there’s George. Yes, I met George last weekend while visiting my nephew, Ryan, at a Rehab Hospital. If you’ve ever had intensive physical therapy, then you know the road to mobility is paved with excruciating pain, unwanted movement and sleepless nights. Easy to get discouraged when progress is nonvisible and slow.

So what about George? Well, George is a gift from the Lord. The perfect roommate for Ryan. An 80ish man who’d occupied this space for about four months due to a stroke. Despite the lack of weekend visitors on his side of the room, George’s heart was filled with joy. His weak, frail voice sang along with the praise music from his church – quite an upbeat tune to rouse a weary soul. Struggling hands that no longer worked didn’t keep George from worshipping God from his soul and the aroma that filled that room was breathtaking. I can only imagine the tears of joy streaming down God’s face as He watched one of His own glorifying Him. Challenging, hard and painful yet George reflects the deep joy found in trusting God despite hard places.

What a privilege it was to pray with George before we left on Sunday. Excited that he finally got to go home this past Thursday. Grateful for God’s divine timing in allowing Ryan to meet such a sweet, godly man. Praying I don’t forget George’s smiling face as he praised the Lord and his heart leaped for joy.

When life is hard, challenging and painful how does one find joy? Convinced George found it and owned joy.  His circumstances were bleak and hadn’t changed yet his focus on the source of his joy was sustaining him. To possess that kind of strength and trust one must know the character of the one they are leaning on. George knew the Lord. To rise above hard places and challenging days, George knew praising his God wasn’t optional it was crucial. His ever-present God had been with him every step of the way; George wasn’t alone.

When disappointment and fear surround us, like George, we can find true peace in trusting God to be our ever-present source of strength and help. When uncertainties overwhelm us, we can, like George, focus on our God versus dwelling on the bleakness of our circumstances.

Sweet friends, I’m not sure where life is taking you, but I know One who longs to travel with you. God will never leave nor forsake those He loves. He will be the catalyst for your joy and inner strength even when your world is falling apart.

“Father, when hard places in life invite deep questions may we find You to be our strength, shield and joy. Forever praising You – confident You will meet our every need.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life