When the cares of my heart are many,

your consolations cheer my soul.

Psalm 94:19

Have you ever tried to encourage someone?

It feels clumsy sometimes. I find the same phrases spilling out of me:

“It will be alright”

“This too shall pass”

“Hang in there”

And, how about this one?

“C’mon, cheer up!”

Works like a charm, no?

No.

See? clumsy.

God, on the other hand, doesn’t know clumsy. He knows the end from the beginning, actually, and when he says it will be alright, it will. From his perspective, it already is.

We don’t always believe that, of course. At least I don’t. It’s so tempting to want proof that all will turn out right in the end, and it can be so frustrating to have to walk by faith.

I often wonder at the saying “God has a wonderful plan for your life”. Now, I fully believe he has a wonderful plan, and I fervently hope he is including me in it. But as I read scripture I become increasingly convinced that he has absolutely no plan to fill me in on the details. That’s not his way. He wants me to walk by faith, not by sight. He wants me to trust.

Because he truly does have it under control. He’s got this. For him, it’s easy.

I really don’t need to worry.

And if that consolation doesn’t cheer my soul, I’m not sure what will.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33