Too Much Too Early!

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. Psalm 69:1-3 NIV

It's only 6:30 am and my day is already off to a bad start. The burden of living with someone very hard to please has weighed heavily on me from my first waking moment. My devotions fell flat, my prayers seemed to bounce off the ceiling, checking my voicemail gave me two huge assignments from my boss, and, as a final straw, the internet is down. This is too much to handle this early in the morning. Sometimes life itself just seems to be too much.

What do I do at a time like this? My first inclination is to throw up my hands and say, "I have no idea." But my second response is to go and get my Bible from its spot and dig in. The very first verse my eyes fall on is Lamentations 3:32 & 33: Though [the Lord] brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. Ahhh, balm for my troubled soul, a lifting of the burdens that feel so heavy. Even though I have troubles, the Lord will have compassion on me. He is Someone who loves me without fail-loves me despite all my failings and times when I momentarily forget He's there for me. Troubles may come, but with them comes the assurance the God loves me and cares for me. That thought sheds a bright light onto the rest of my day. He is there! He will show me His awesome compassion! Life is good!

Thank you, precious Savior, for your constant presence in my life. Thank you for being there even on my troubled days when life seems to be too much to take all at once. Thank you for the compassion you shower upon me. Help me to focus on You instead of all my troubles.

Janine Miller