I have always found that when things are going well, it’s much
easier to follow after my own heart and pursue my own desires. But this always backfires. Ultimately, something will happen that brings me to my knees and to a place where I am forced to lean and rely on God. In a way, this realization makes me thankful that I have a place to turn when things get rough but it makes me sad for my selfishness and humanity. When it comes down to it, God is always faithful to me even when I am not faithful to Him. But I have found that trials that cross my path become much easier to overcome if I’m already walking with God when I start to fall instead of reaching up for Him when I’ve already hit the ground. This verse speaks with brutal honesty to my experience and convicts my heart of this pattern. I have experienced some rough patches in my life and I’m not sure how I would have gotten through them without having God to carry me through. There are times when the only reason I come through difficult circumstances is because He has been my soft place to land due to my ongoing relationship with Him. This verse teaches me that I need to delight in God’s Word and in His presence in my life when things are at their best so that it can take me safely through the worst.
Rose Santangelo Freel