Hope on the Days that Feel Crooked
Well, I declare; this is somethin’ else, friend. Come on over here and pull up a rocker and set yourself right down. Land sakes, it’s a real pleasure to have you stop by this ol’ front porch today. If you were any more welcome, I’d have that lil’ ol’ possum over yonder that came wanderin’ up last night to be holdin’ a handmade sign that said, “Come on in.” Sometimes life feels like tryin’ to herd a flock of chickens that plum refuse to be herded or coax a stubborn ol’ raccoon that insists your porch is now his porch. Doubt and discouragement can come sneakin’ up on us just like that, but the Lord meets us right there in the middle of the mess.
Psalm 42:11 reminds us that even when our hearts feel lower than a turtle’s belly in a wagon rut, we can still put our hope in God. Another verse that deepens this truth is Isaiah 26:3 which says, “He keeps us in perfect peace when our minds stay on Him.” Them two verses together make a mighty fine fence to lean on when life starts to buckin’ like an ol’ mule that has no interest in bein’ ridden.
Now, friend, Scripture is plum full of folks who had days when their faith felt about as wobbly as a lil’ ol’ newborn calf. Moses sho’-nuff’ got so worn out by the Israelites’ complainin’ that he asked the Lord to take him home. Elijah ran from Jezebel like a lil’ ol’ squirrel that spotted a sneaky fox. Jeremiah felt mocked so often he wondered if he should just stop preachin’. Paul said he was crushed and overwhelmed beyond what he could endure. And Thomas, bless him, said the things everybody else was thinkin’. He questioned, he wondered, he wrestled, yet Jesus honored his honest searchin’. In John 11:16 Thomas said, “They ought to go with Jesus even if it meant dying.” Later in John 14:6 Jesus answered Thomas’s confusion with one of the clearest truths in Scripture. Doubt never scared Jesus. He met Thomas right where he stood.
Friend, fear and faith sit mighty close together. One moment we’re struttin’ like an ol’ rooster convinced everything’s fine, and the next we’re hidin’ like an ol’ chipmunk that heard a twig snap. But Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that, “Peace comes when our minds stay fixed on the Lord.” He sees the whole forest when we’re stuck starin’ at one ol’ crooked tree. He knows the big picture when all we can see is the muddy trail in front of us.
Father, when doubt creeps in and discouragement weighs heavy, remind me of Your truth. Help me trust You even when I can’t see the whole picture. Strengthen my heart and steady my steps. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Mercy sakes alive, friend, before you git to moseyin’ on off this here porch and wanderin’ back into the wild and woolly world, let me leave you with this truth. You’re plum not alone in your doubts. You’re not the first to feel overwhelmed. You’re not the only one who wonders how God is workin’ things out. Just like a wise ol’ hoot owl that sees what the field mice can’t, the Lord sho’-nuff’ sees every detail of your story. He’s real steady, He’s mighty faithful, and He’s already way ahead of you. Seek Him so His peace can settle over you like a soft fog that rolls through the trees at dawn, quieting everything it touches. So, keep walkin’, keep trustin’, and keep leanin’ on Him. He’ll guide you better than any trail map ever could.
With joy,
Gwen
