Encouragement 4 The Day :“Strong At the Broken Places”

In reading an article by Martha Beck I came across a quote by Hemingway “The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” Oh I love the power and the lyrical beauty of a well spoken thought!

In going through struggles and in fighting depression, we tend to adopt an almost a fatalist point of view. We literally cannot see the forest for the trees but remember: NOTHING lasts forever!

I’m also learning to put things in perspective (one of my favorite words). When I consider the fact that one day this world will end a weird thing happens. It then makes no sense for me to get upset about bills, failures, and disappointments…you think I’m joking but it really works. Try it when you’re late for an appointment or you’re embarrassed about a mistake. Remind yourself that this world is only temporary and see what happens. Trivial things no longer become inflated disasters.

I don’t care what it is that you’re going through- at some point, it will end and if you endure, you will discover that you are indeed stronger at those broken places.

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Christianity and the Heart of God"

So I’m reading another book by Philip Yancey “The Bible Jesus Read” and in there was a passage which read:

“God has it out with loud complainers like Job, Jeremiah and Jonah. He engages Abraham and Moses in lengthy arguments- and sometimes lets them win! In his wrestling match with Jacob, God waits until daybreak to inflict the wound; till then, Jacob holds his own. Quite obviously, God prefers honest disagreement to dishonest submission.”

Honest disagreement to dishonest submission…how absolutely profound and contradictory to what’s being taught in many churches today. Questioning God is still taboo. Being a witness in the midst of struggles is paramount to sainthood. Please don’t misunderstand me here. I agree that God is all powerful and for His brilliance alone, He deserves our respect. Maintaining a cheerful demeanor in the midst of trials is certainly a means of witnessing and of being an inspiration to others.

Here’s my divide: Where do you place Christians who desire to love God but in the midst of pain find it hard to do so? Should they keep up the cheerful façade or honestly take their issues up with God?

My conclusion:

·         I agree with Yancey-God knows the heart anyway so the smile on your face, the song on your lips and the anger in your heart does not fool Him.

·         As with a lover, a relationship only lasts when you can truly believe in the other person’s heart.

·         Ergo, if you find yourself struggling with God, you’re having an issue with His heart and quite frankly, it’s pointless and fake going through the motions just because it’s expected of you.

·         Wrestle with God-it fosters an engaging rather than a passive Christian experience. Wrestle with Him until you can grab hold of His heart.

·         It is only then when in the midst of the storm will you TRULY be able to say and feel the words: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…” Job 13:15

No one can do this for you just as no one can love someone else for you. Your church, your pastor, those praying sisters cannot latch on to the heart of God for you. And so, each person’s journey, each person’s relationship, each person’s faith will be different.

Find God for yourself…

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Perspective"

I am fascinated by how perspective alters the mind and can subsequently change the course of a life. How it is, that in looking at a glass as being half empty, results in different emotions than when you look at the same glass as being half full-Perspective.

I am prone to melancholic tendencies and therefore I’ll admit it- I do hold on to a rather jaded view of this life and the world in which we exist. However, I recently came across the question:

“If this world were perfect, would we long for heaven?” WOW

We were not meant to get comfortable on this sin cursed earth and in the same token-how would we know joy without experiencing pain?

Words are powerful! That simple question positively altered my mindset.

May we always strive to encourage, educate and uplift our fellow men by our words.

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Keen Observers but Poor Interpreters"

I read a post the other day that referenced the saying: “Children are keen observers but poor interpreters.” Isn’t it amazing how simple phrases cast a bright beam of light on life’s complex issues? As I pondered this truth and the importance of how we conduct ourselves around children, I was struck with the thought that this applies to Christians and God.

As children of God there is so much in this world which we keenly observe but do not understand. How then does God bridge the divide? It’s funny how the mind forges a path from the unknown to the known (or is it being guided).

Have you ever tried to answer a child’s questions and even as you speak you know that they won’t understand? They won’t understand because their minds haven’t developed to the point of comprehension.

Is that how it is sometimes when we question God and don’t receive answers to the questions or, don’t understand the answers given? We are after all “spiritual babes” devoid of the brilliance which God possesses. Sin has also (in my opinion) greatly diminished our spiritual sensibilities and there are some things which as a result, we will never understand until we’ve been restored.

For now…this helps to ease my troubled mind.

Encouragement 4 The Day: "God's Heart"

This is an issue that I truly struggle with…I believe in God’s brilliance when I consider the world and all that He’s created but human suffering often makes me question His heart. Yes, I’ve heard the argument that God does not cause bad things to happen and that sin holds the primary responsibility for all the pain in the world however, the question then often pops into my head: “Who then in more responsible, the entity which causes the pain or the entity which has the power to prevent it?” OR is it that they share equal responsibilities?

I am afraid that yes indeed, I am a doubting Thomas as I cannot just believe or have faith without having some form of logical reconciliation to my questions. Like Thomas I need to feel the imprints of those wounds. As I struggle this is what I am realizing (i.e. my light bulb moment):

“I will never understand why suffering is allowed in many instances and not prevented by an all powerful God. I will not understand at this present moment because I cannot see the beginning from the end nor am I able to see into the hearts of man. Therefore, trying to understand a complex issue with limited vision is senseless. It’s like trying to solve a math equation with half of the problem.”

Then What? Now I understand the purpose of faith.

If I believe in God’s brilliance and I acknowledge that I cannot see what He sees then I choose to believe in His goodness whether the visible outcome is good or bad. That’s the clincher for me-that faith is not just some arbitrary form of reasoning. It’s a conscious decision to trust in an all powerful Being who obviously trumps my intellect.

I can hear the some of the mature Christians probably saying: “Duh.” Oh well (smile). We all have to EXPERIENCE God for ourselves…that’s how we build a firm foundation.  I am not one who believes in not questioning God but that’s a topic for another day.

Encouragement 4 The Day: "You will love again..."

I came across a posting “Cancer kiss-off: Getting dumped after diagnosis” an article which primarily discussed women who were deserted after being diagnosed with cancer.   One participant to the article mentioned coming home after her first radiation treatment only to discover an empty house-her husband had just UP and LEFT her! (I know of no better way to convey my sentiments)

I could only imagine the immeasurable pain and disappointment now coupled with the fear of a compounded unknown. Modern day Jobs…that’s what came to mind. This poem was written after a friend informed me of her divorce and I think/hope that it’s appropriate in this case also.

I used to think that the phrase “Time does heal” was so cliché but indeed it is true. Time may not cure but it does foster healing.

You Will Love Again

You promised forever and today

Your ‘forever’ is gone.

Allow your heart to heal from its pain.

And it will heal.

It’s larger and stronger than you believe.

Leave it open.

Employ love,

Not pain to speak your story.

You have loved before…

In time,

You will love,

And be loved again.

Encouragement 4 The Day: “Pain, the Pulse and the Heart of God”

This is a concept that with me is presently evolving and so I’m rather hesitant to speak of it without arriving at a final conclusion. There are those thoughts however which create such a paradigm shift in ones mode of thinking, that to hold it in, creates a tremendous build up of pressure. So this post is my release of that pressure valve.

I’ve been reading Philip Yancey’s book “Where Is God When It Hurts?” and as a result was introduced to Dr. Paul Brand. Dr. Brand spent the majority of his life blazing a medical trail in the treatment of leprosy. One of the key points which he noted in his research was- that leprosy in and of itself, was not the primary cause of the disfigurements which he witnessed in so many of his patients. Instead, it was the absence of pain due to the destruction of nerve endings caused by the disease, which allowed them to injure their bodies without realizing that they were doing so. It was through this realization that Dr. Brand developed an appreciation for the phenomena of pain.

This is where the little gray cells in my brain started firing overtime. I began to consider pain (both physical and emotional) running rampant in this world.  I reflected on human suffering while noting songs such as “When Peace like a River”, or the many books available like the ones written by Joni Eareckson Tada and Philip Yancey. Each song, each book representing profound ministries born out of pain yet so positively affecting the lives of millions. Gradually I started to realize that maybe in my focusing on what was wrong with this world- I’d become blinded to the blessings of pain. Yes, indeed I said it: “the blessings of pain” and with that concept still being so new to me, I literally cringe every time I consider it.

However, when I reflect on the lives of fellow human beings who have experienced considerable tragedy while still retaining and increasing their love for and service to God, I indeed started to recognize a pattern. Something great happens and their ministries (intended or not) take on such a widened sphere of positive influence that one has to stop and take notice. An even greater phenomenon is that each contributor acknowledges their painful experience as being a positive and pivotal point in their lives.

It’s as if, when we in the midst of our pain turn to God instead of away from Him and look for reasons to praise Him in spite of the anguish, we gain access to His pulse and His heartbeat and miracles happen.  In other words, the very thing that Satan would have to destroy us, God uses it to draw us closer to Him if we would allow it. But it doesn’t stop there. He then seeks to reward us as He did with Job for, it is one thing to serve Him when it’s all going good, but when we determine to serve Him in the midst of our pain, we have placed our fingers on His pulse and He allows us to feel His heartbeat.  What greater joy can there be than to have such closeness to the heart of God?

Encouragement 4 The Day: “Blessing People With Your Words”

The title of this post comes from one of Joel Osteen’s sermons #502 “Blessing People with Your Words.” I am becoming more convinced every day, that as a general rule, we fail to comprehend the power of the words that we speak. So callously we sometimes toss around our thoughts without conscious consideration of the consequences behind our actions. One of the key points in Joel’s message pointed out the concept that- thinking something good about someone does them no good, unless they hear it from us and therefore, we should be free with our compliments. Sadly just the opposite is true. We tend to be free with our criticisms and judgments and tight lipped with our compliments.

Consider Job’s friends…not once did they encourage him or remind him of what a special person he was in the eyes of God. Is it any wonder God informed them that unless Job prayed for them they would be in some serious trouble? How about the words which we speak to ourselves? When you make a mistake do you call yourself stupid? Are you going through a difficult time and you keep telling yourself that it will never get better? Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived stated: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” Proverbs 18:21 KJV

I encourage you today to speak words of life, hope and encouragement to yourself and to others. Out of the million and one combinations that could have occurred during your conception God created YOU! Anyone familiar with science at all understands, that you being here just as you are did not happen by chance. You were created by God for a purpose and God does not make mistakes. Do not allow words of discouragement to keep you from your God given purpose in this life. Remember, no matter what you’re going through or how much of a mess you think you’ve made of your life: “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to COMPLETION until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Watch Joel’s sermon here:

 

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Where is God when I Hurt?"

As I surfed the internet today I came across a profound statement that literally slapped me across the face. It’s funny how words, phrases or sentences can take the same idea or principle and give it a whole new meaning. Indeed, the written word is a powerful tool and should therefore be used wisely and with great caution.

So what was it that I read? Here it is from the website http://www.becauseofgod.com/theme_devotions_for_women/where_is_God_when_I_hurt_part_2.html 

“When you think and feel things like, “I am hurting so much but I don’t feel God’s presence!  It is hard for me to think of Him much less pray to Him in my hurt!  I feel He has deserted me because He doesn’t seem to answer my cry for help!”  You need to understand (if you don’t already know) that from a psychological and physical standpoint, when you hurt your mind doesn’t think very clearly, because your mind is mentally trying to handle the pain. Your emotions are screaming pain and hurt so it isn’t easy to feel anything but what you are experiencing. When you are suffering, anxiety and depression can also weigh on your feelings and outlook on life. So when you feel like He isn’t there when you are suffering, you need to realize no matter how you feel He is with you!”

How absolutely profound! I knew that when someone was in a depressed state or going through extreme mental or emotional anguish situations ‘appear’ to be worse than they actually are. I’ve experienced that so frequently…something that may not bother me when I’m happy will cause me to bite someone’s head off when I’m sad or depressed. BUT, it never occurred to me to link that with my feelings of abandonment by God. It’s empowering when you can cognitively recognize that what you’re feeling is not factual but a symptom of your emotional state. Subsequently, I further understood why loving God and your fellow man should not be based upon feeling but based upon choice-in other words, loving with your head in addition to your heart.

So if you’re feeling as if God has abandoned you-He hasn’t. If you feel as if it won’t ever get better-IT WILL. Recognize that these feelings of despair are symptoms of your pain and just as your body can heal so can your mind and your soul. This too shall pass!

Rest if you must but DO NOT QUIT!

Poem by Claudia Minden Weisz-"And God Said No"

And God Said No

I asked God to take away my pride. And God said "No".
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. And God said "No".
He said her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. And God said "No".
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness. And God said "No".
He said He gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain. And God said "No".
He said suffering draws me apart from worldly cares and brings me closer to Him.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. And God said "No".
He said I must grow on my own. But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. And God said "No".
He said He will give me life, that I may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
And God said "Ah, finally you have the idea!"

Copyright © Claudia Minden Weisz (the mother of a Rett Syndrome child)

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Reconciliation"

Reconciliation

Something. Is. Not. Right.

I am trying to wrap my brain around

You.

Omnipotent. Omnipresent.

They say that’s not WHAT You are, but WHO You Are.

Bellies distended.

Babies too hungry, too weak to cry.

Frail bodies raped and torn

Discarded as trash.

Alpha and Omega

The beginning and the end- You Are.

Is this suffering that you see

Worth breathing your Spirit into mortal clay?

Is it?

Still…

In the pain I see Your brilliance

Reflected within the human spirit’s will to

Not only survive, but to overcome.

And so even though I don’t get You,

And some days I struggle to love You,

I acquiesce that indeed…

You are God.

                                                                                                                      J.Y.M

We may not always understand why God allows certain things to happen but if we search deep enough (and sometimes we don't have to go far), in the midst of the problems we will recognize His brilliance. At that point we can rest in the knowledge that in the end- it ALL works out for good.

Encouragement 4 The Day-"When you’ve Lost Someone you Love."

“The third messenger was still speaking when another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine together at the oldest brother’s house. Suddenly a great wind came from the desert, hitting all four corners of the house at once. The house fell in on the young people, and they are all dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you!” Job1:18, 19 NCV

I remember when a friend of mine and a fellow student died as a result of a car accident on her way home during the school break. Even as I type this post, feelings of sadness permeate my spirit for she was a beautiful soul.  Death, especially when it’s sudden and unexpected, can render such a blow- to breathe in and of itself is painful. Can you imagine in ONE day, losing your home, your business and your children? My mind is also on Dr. William Petit whose beautiful wife and two daughters were killed in a senseless home invasion.Death of a Wife, Mother and Two Daughters Maybe you’ve recently experienced the death of a loved one or you’re still reeling from the pain even though some time has passed.

How do you cope with the Sting of Death?

·         No one but God can heal this pain- go to Him. But what if you’re angry or even blaming God for this trial? Tell Him that. Talk to Him as if you’re speaking with another human being. You are hurting and at this time stoicism is not a requirement.

·         Rest. If there is a day that you just want to sit and cry…sit and cry. Some people advocate pushing yourself to keep going and I understand their purpose-you don’t want to just stop living. However, do not deny yourself the expression of your pain as it helps you heal. If you want to scream-scream (preferably in an isolated area), if you want to punch something -punch it (preferably something inanimate and soft)…you catch my drift.

·         Music-I am such a firm believer in the therapeutic qualities of music. Inundate your life with music that you enjoy and love whether you feel like it or not. Just turn it on-you may be surprised to find that somehow your mood has been lifted.

·         Write-whatever you’re feeling write it down. Writing is cathartic.

·         Find support-You know what I’ve realized? Hearing “I’m praying for you” or “I’m sorry for your loss” does help especially when we know that the speaker truly cares. However, when you’re in the company of those who have gone through what you’re going through, it makes a HUGE difference. Join a support group- you’ll meet people who TRULY understand your pain.

“And God shall wipe away all tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4 KJV

Remember: We don’t see the full picture only God knows the beginning from the end. Though we may not understand why- He is in control and He loves you.

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Fair-Weathered Friends"

“After Job prayed for his friends, the Lord gave him success again. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he owned before. Job’s brothers and sisters came to his house, along with everyone who had known him before, and they all ate with him there. They comforted him and made him feel better about the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave Job a piece of silver and a gold ring.” Job42:10-11 NCV

I think you know where I’m going with this post considering the title-right? Where were all these family members and friends when Job was in the midst of his crisis? Not a one is mentioned (except his suicide advocating wife and his [3+1] self righteous friends).

Are you going through a crisis and there is no-one to turn to? Have the friends who promised to ‘have your back’ all disappeared and maybe family members are offering nothing but criticism?

“…I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5 NIV

“Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.” Psalm 146:3 NIV

Remember:

·         You are not the only one who has been deserted by those you love- they also deserted Christ.

AND

·         You are not alone- “As God was with Job, He is also with you.”

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Being a Christian does not Guarantee a Trouble Free Life"

I’m sure that some Christians, even though we are aware of the fact that being a Christian does not guarantee a life without problems, if we admit it, we do expect/hope to have fewer burdens than the average person. We anticipate being surrounded by that hedge of protection that’s promised in the Bible. So, when trouble hits (at least in my case) initially we’re thinking ok, my God will take care of this. But as time drags on and there seems to be no end in sight, we start a mental list of the good things that we’ve done. Lord, I’ve paid my tithe, didn’t curse my boss out when I could have, I volunteered at the homeless shelter, gave my last two dollars away…when are You gonna handle this problem?

Job did the same thing. He started to list all of his good deeds and challenged God that if he indeed was not as good as he claimed, to hold him accountable. That’s when it hit me. When I realized how good Job was and he still faced such heart wrenching problems…being a good Christian does not absolve you from pain.  It also does not guarantee an express answer to prayer.

Instead, being a good Christian in the midst of pain and trials guarantees that God will reward you for being faithful to Him in spite of it all. To those of you experienced Christians this may be a no brainer but it just hit home for me. He won’t keep the pain away and sometimes He won’t take the pain away, but His reward if I’m faithful, will more than compensate for it all!

Encouragement 4 The Day-"When Life Hurts!"

There are some days when it’s so difficult just to lift your head off of your pillow. Unless you’ve experienced the thrashing of depression you just won’t understand how that emotional ache translates into palpable physical pain and fatigue. Sometimes you just cannot pinpoint exactly why you’re unhappy (if you could- you would do something about it); you just know that it’s a HUGE struggle to find joy.

For  Christians although it should be easier (as we are advised to lean on Christ), it can actually be even more difficult as we try to abstain from those things that would harm the body ,mind or spirit but things which tend to hopefully provide a temporary release from pain. I’m referring to the mind numbing drugs such as narcotics and alcohol, for those of us not married engaging in a sexual relationship or other behaviors distancing us from Christ. So what then do we turn to?

More than anything, I’ve found because of my introverted personality, that music considerably eases the ache inside of my soul. There is something about hearing a beautiful piece of music that even in my darkest throes of depression I find myself happy to be alive just to hear it sung or played. One artist in particular comes to mind and that’s Dax Johnson. His music, in my opinion, reveals the heart of a beautiful soul and I just want to share one of his pieces with you today. May it help to ease your heart and bring a smile to your face. R.I.P. Dax … love you even though I’ve never met you.

Encouragement 4 The Day-"This Battle is NOT Yours!"

We’re caught up in a serious battle between God and Satan, between good and evil and many of us are feeling the heat. Now, I’m not talking about the problems that we create for ourselves (sometimes we blame Satan for things which we’ve orchestrated). I’m talking about when the harder you try to do right, the more you try to be a witness, that’s when it seems as if all hell is breaking lose. For every step you take forward you’re taking two steps backwards and you want to give up. Or maybe you’re like me (Miss Independent) wanting to do everything on your own and leaving a trail of mess in your path.

Remember: This battle that you face, WHATEVER it is, sickness, death, discouragement, rejection, pain hopelessness, this battle is NOT YOURS it belongs to God. Give it to Him and let Him fight it for you. Enjoy the peace that He offers because worrying sure ain’t gonna make anything better!

And when it’s hard to remember to let go and let God listen to the words of this song sung by Yolanda Adams: “The Battle is not yours it’s the Lords.” Be Blessed!



Encouragement 4 The Day-"Perspective"

 

An Indian proverb goes: “I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet.”

Sometimes in the midst of our pain we need a little perspective. In the process of searching for a job and getting desperate, I was feeling rather sorry for myself especially since (as I explained to God), I was not asking for a hand-out…I wanted to work. To show you the level of my desperation I actually typed into Google the words “please God help me find a job” and arrived at this link: http://prayersonline.net/2008/08/07/lord-please-help-me-find-a-job/. At this prayers online website I read the heart wrenching prayers of those of loved God and longed for Him to intervene on their behalves.  One gentleman by the name of Patrick really touched me and this was his post:

Patrick

“Dear Jenni,
I just want to join you in prayer with you and others about your situation and encourage you in the Lord to be patient and God some how through His divine love will grant you Divine favor…..I am in a similar situation,in fact I just requested prayer for myself and family,my wife and myself are currently unemployed,I am the head of the household,I have been trying to find a job for the past 8 months..eviction is about to be served,our utilities about to be turned off,my step daughter is bipolar and very violent…last week I was on the road seeking jobs all over I could not drive our truck because I could not afford gas,after walking over 10 miles I was simply tired and worn out..I crossed the street to the other side,a cop came out of nowhere and gave me a ticket for “jaywalking” I apologised to her,explained that I honestly was not aware there was a cross walk,I thought she would have warned me she did not ,the fine was $116.25, I went to court and paid the ticket,the last money I had to help out with food,that same night they repossesed our truck,the utilities are being turned off,eviction notice about to be served…yes the storm is blowing but somehow I believe that Jesus is allowing this for a divine reason,I keep on believing that He will not leave nor forsake us regardless of the situation,I keep trying to encourage my wife so as not to have her nor myself become like Esau when he sold his birthright just for a morsel of bread..Jenni right now I am so physically hungry but I am here at the local library filling out applications on-line,Jesus Christ is my Bread of Life and I know somehow if I continue to obey Him ,continue doing the right things without compromising I know somehow he will pull us through..I pray God’s peace on your situation,I pray especially for your little baby,I pray God’s special anointing on his precious little life,I pray that God may encamp His angels around your Household and give you protection against all attacks,I pray that the Blood of Jesus Christ be sprinkled on the doorpost of your family’s minds,may He grant you provisions,His Peace,His mercy and His love.Amen.”

Here was someone in the midst of his own pain, while hungry, reaching out to bless someone else. May God forgive me for my grumbling and fill my heart with such a burdening love, that I will do more for my fellow man.

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Humility"

I’ve decided to dwell on this topic a bit further maybe because it’s a struggle of mine…this humility concept. I despise the thought of being taken advantage of and the admonition “turn the other cheek” literally makes me shudder. Why is this? Well, it probably has to do with my being a Type A personality, but also with the fact, that instilled in every human being is that instinct of self preservation (we Type A personalities tend to “kick it up a notch” ).

As I pondered this humility predicament I realized that if you started your actions or reactions with the end in mind, it actually makes it a little easier to swallow. For e.g. someone steals your property and you’re tempted to react negatively -remember that when it all ends and Christ returns it’s all going to be burned up anyway (put’s things into perspective doesn’t it). Someone treats you unkindly and it’s really hurting and you need to set the record straight. When Christ comes will it really matter what others think of you? That’s what I mean by reacting or acting with the end in mind. Suddenly humility is not as difficult as initially anticipated.

Disclaimer: this does not mean you shouldn’t stand up for yourself instead, it simply means that your actions will be more Christ like and you will be satisfied that the final retribution will be handled by God.

I’ll leave you with the words of one of my favorite songs: Be Still My Soul and the link to a fantastic rendition by Selah. 
                                                                  "Be Still, My Soul"
                                                        by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
                                                      Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.