Seasons.

There are so many things we encounter as we journey through life. Some moments are filled with beauty, awe and joy. Other seasons are full of testing and trials. I am only 29 years old, but in that (almost!) three decades, I have definitely felt the mountains and the valleys.

Through the thick and thin of these breaths we call life, the one thing that remains is the faithfulness of God. He is constant. Ever present. All knowing and certainly all loving. It makes my heart want to explode with gratitude and love when I think about Him. The things that He has done to prove His deep love and faithfulness to me over the years is something I can never deny or forget. He is the best thing in this world. He is the hope  we all need. 

I sense the world becoming darker, more sad and the general downward spiral I think is pretty evident to most who can see and hear. When I ponder the future, I continually have to remind myself of God's presence and faithfulness in order to keep my eyes fixed on Him. Things will get worse as the 2nd coming of Christ draws near. But just because the world around me will darken, does not mean that the light within my heart will follow. 

"In this world you will face trouble, but take heart, for I (Jesus) have overcome the world..."

"1,000 may fall at your side, 10,000 at your right hand, but it will not touch you..." 

So many words of peace, security and comfort from Jesus. I think the truth and the true peace lies in the fact that Jesus is to be our ultimate peace. The world is raging right now, the devil is raging. But our hearts are overcome with the peace that passes all understanding, found only in our sweet Jesus. It can be so easy for our hearts to become overwhelmed by the sadness and despair we see, but take heart, He has overcome the world. 

He has placed eternity in our hearts, and this is the hope that will carry us through. Though our light and momentary afflictions pain our hearts, we will be in eternity with Him forever. This life is a breath. And even though we will experience hardship, it isn't an eternal struggle. And for that, I am thankful. In my heart, I truly just ask God to put His strength within me, and within the hearts of those I love dearly. And to give us the courage, grace and love to endure till the end, faithful and steady. And I know He is faithful. He is faithful.