Holding Hands

You know about carrying worries and burdens. Your mom is sick with a stomach disorder that keeps her in bed most nights and weekends. She’s already missed a lot of work, and the doctor bills are piling up. You help with your little sisters, cook meals, and keep the house clean so your dad can care for your mom. Sometimes, after you wash dishes and put your sisters to bed, you’re too tired to tackle your homework. You definitely need the Lord to hold you up and carry your burdens for you.

Worries come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be heavy. Your burden might be divorced parents, hating the way you look, a crabby grandparent who lives with you, money worries, or living in a dangerous neighborhood. Whatever the problem that causes you to stumble, the solution is the same. “The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24 NLT) Think of a small child holding onto her daddy’s hand. She trips over a rock, but Daddy’s hand grips hers tight so she doesn’t fall. That’s how your heavenly Father holds you. Hold onto God, and let him carry your worries.

Have Courage!

Rosa knew about frightening things. Her mom remarried three years after Rosa’s dad left them. Rosa grew to love her step-dad and stepsister. Just when they seemed like a real family, crisis struck again. Rosa’s mom was diagnosed with a disease that would eventually confine her to a wheelchair. Rosa’s own faith wavered, but in the coming weeks she learned about courage and trust from watching her parents. They stood true to what they believed: that God was good ALL the time, that he’d allowed this for a purpose, that he had everything under control, and they could trust him. No matter what.

God wouldn’t command you to do something unless he was willing to help you do it. During a crisis or difficult time, simply “standing firm” doesn’t sound like much to accomplish, but it is. Satan will try to knock you down, but keep on standing. Say over and over—out loud—“God loves me, and I can trust him.” Do it as long as it takes to build your faith up. God will move when he knows the time is right, when he’s accomplished his purpose in the situation. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14 TNIV) When life is hard, lean even harder on the Lord. He’ll never let you down.