While all of the things going on in the world are distressing, God reminds me in His Word and through His Creation that He is Yahweh ... powerful, sovereign, trustworthy, enduring.
He goes before His sheep and is with us. While I'm feeling fearful and losing sleep and praying for the things that are troubling me, He is sovereignly working things out and will bring His children safely Home one way or another. He answers prayer, and He even works things out that we don't even know to pray about. Sunshine, tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths, squirrels, robins, red cardinals, rabbits, etc., are reminders of our Creator's constancy and faithfulness. Old Testament accounts remind us how God works even in and through times of turmoil and war. God's purposes and plans don't fail even when evil looks like it's winning. Even the death of Jesus was His plan, and all of the details of Christ's life.
Persecution and suffering have a purpose in God's plan. The evil plans of men cannot thwart Him, and He even is working through them for His good eternal purposes. Physical trials are not meaningless either though they make us feel helpless and vulnerable. They are reminders to trust God for the present and future no matter what and to focus more on eternal things. Oh, that I would but trust God more and love Him the way I want to. So, I remind myself that I need to look to God and His perfection in His purposes. I may fail often, but He hasn't. He won't. He can't. That's not who He is.
As Steve Lawson once said, "Glance at what's going on around us, but gaze on God." So, today in my weakness, tiredness, and distress, I read Psalm 23 and have kept it on a tab to keep going back to. I watched an ocean video. I spent a little less time listening to distressing things this morning...the things that I can't change. I went out and saw the tulip and some birds, and the beauty of the day is also calming. I must continue to pray and realize all the workings of things and details are still in God's hands, and I must remind myself that His purposes are good. I know these things in my mind, but my mind always thinks of how God's people do still suffer. We don't always escape the trials. We still have to go through them at times. That doesn't negate His good eternal purposes though or even His purposes in time here on earth. I'm thankful that God doesn't give up on His weak sheep, and that He pursues and will keep us forever. This life and its trials are short compared with an eternity of joy with God.
