It’s easy to stay on track when everything is going smoothly. The road ahead is clear, and life is chugging along like a well-tuned car. Honoring God during those times comes naturally.   

But what happens when it feels as if your world collapsed and you can’t see the road ahead? Those are the hardest moments to have a grateful heart because it feels as if the storm waves just keep coming.

A few years back, right before Easter, my mother passed away. It came as such a surprise that it sent my world tilting. Though my mother was a strong Christian, and I knew she was in heaven, missing her hurt physically.  I lost the road ahead in the fog of grief.

During this time, Revelation 21:4 really spoke to me. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away   

Though I couldn’t see the road before me, I held onto the hand of the One who could.

The words of the Casting Crown song, Praise you In This Storm, kept coming to mind.

And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Then in December of the same year, shortly before Christmas, I lost my father-in-law and once more the world didn’t make sense. Our family was left to ask why?

And God spoke; My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26.

During those dark times, I clung to the promises of God to wipe away every tear and be my strength until the road became clear again. Though my heart was breaking, I praised the One who deserved all my praises and knew He would get me through this storm as well.

No matter what we face in this life, we can always rest assured we are not going through it alone. In the words of our Savior, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

All the best…

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net