It’s easy to be happy when life is good; much harder when it brings challenges. It’s easy likewise to be a Christian when everything in life is going smoothly, but rather more difficult when we run up against difficulties: trouble, ill-health, sorrow, suffering and the like. Yet, contrary to what we sometimes assume, God never promised us an easy ride; faith does not guarantee us exemption from any of these things. What it does promise – as the following from my book Poems to Help You Pray makes clear – is that, whatever we face, in sickness or in health, God will be with us in it, giving us strength and help us to get through.
For God’s constant help
Come what may, we can confidently say,
‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?’
Hebrews 13:6
Lord, you don’t promise us comfort and wealth,
freedom from sickness, immaculate health:
faith brings no pledge of exemption from pain,
troubles oppress us again and again;
tragedies cause us to grieve and despair,
sometimes their burden too painful to bear;
visions are shattered and hopes turned to dust,
prayer seems in vain, though we try still to trust.
Yet, though such trials turn out to be true,
still I believe you will help me get through –
there by my side when I can’t carry on,
offering strength when all other has gone.
Even in sorrow you somehow bring joy,
peace that no trials can ever destroy.
Light in the darkness continues to shine,
turning the water of life into wine.