So we are always of good courage.  We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:6

Walked out to the barn to grain the horses around 9 PM last night, unusually late.  Though the moon was rising and nearly full, there wasn’t light enough to see the green metal stake in the front yard, the one with the dog lead attached.  Hurrying, my right foot ran smack into it and stumbled.  I nearly fell over.  

I’ve nearly fallen over and over this week, shocking sad new pouring into this house faster than my mind and heart can absorb, making emotional triage a necessity.

One friend messaged me yesterday in response to my blog piece.  Two words . . .

TOUGH WEEK.

Yeah, it has been a tough week for her, for her husband, for several other friends of mine.  Just this week . . .

Another sudden death. Dire diagnostic results of children. Unexpected business twists.  A teenage son on drugs.  And a teenage girl who was supposed to go to prom with our son tomorrow.  She’s nursing three broken ribs, a ripped mouth and a concussion from being accosted.  All in a week!

I look beyond my own circle of friends.  Tough times.  Our culture seems to be disintegrating before our eyes.  Our political scene is a circus.  The middle-class is shrinking.  Heroin is spreading.  Morals are falling.  Isis is rising.  And so it goes.

Yeah, times are tough.  But I think we haven’t seen anything yet.  I think we’re sensing birth pangs.  I think more pain is coming quickly.

And so what?  What then?

We can be of good courage.

Holding onto God and one another, we’re in this together.  Life and death and everything in between.

I can’t cure the world.  Neither can you. But Jesus is coming and the Holy Spirit is still here.  We can pray.  We can stand firm to the end on God’s word and his promises.

We can be of good courage.

Because, NO MATTER WHAT, we have a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  We know where we’re going and we know who’s coming!

Jesus Christ isn’t just the Savior of our souls. He’s the Redeemer and Restorer of the world.  

So this weekend, how about we praise our Sovereign God and be of good courage?  Then, we’ll be good to go. Or stay.  Come what may.

Such a faith will keep us standing, even in the dark.  That’s a promise you can stake your life upon.