I take a deep pause when I’m singing aloud and get to the part that says I’ll never turn away from God, I’ll always praise, I’ll always remain steadfast. I mean I WANT to sing this at the top of my lungs, but can I? How can I know beyond a doubt that I will ALWAYS do this? I’ve let myself down before.

It’s so easy to want to escape pain and problems. It’s normal for our spirit to feel pressed when trouble comes. Problems strain at destroying our trust in God. It’s normal. Even Jesus’ soul was troubled in the days leading up to the cross.

Have you ever felt like Lazarus? Dead + buried for 4 days, when Jesus says, “Lazarus, come out!” Man, what a day! He literally brought Lazarus back to life. What would you think if you saw this happen? Maybe we have a hard time imagining this actually happening. But Jesus does the same thing for us, when we believe. He raises us from the dead, He resurrects our lives.

God doesn’t speak to me. It’s easy to think this when we’re spinning. We feel alone + afraid. Maybe we’re trying to control our emotions, but past traumas have a way of dragging us under. And we’re trying to stop, but it’s hard. It’s hard to stop ourselves from going back to old patterns.

My eyes cast down, the ground I see

For 18 years, was home to me

That day the same, as all before

Until He offered so much more

Some endings become beginnings. Just when we feel like we can’t go under the wave one more time. Just when we think the weight of this is too heavy. Just when we can’t see the next step. When it ends, dies, runs out, leaves.

Jesus knew that after Peter failed 3 times, he would come back. And in an act of love, Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail, even though Jesus knew exactly what Peter was about to do.

We praise You Lord, that in Your compassion, you share in our suffering. You are completely aware of every detail of our lives and you care about every single one of us.