“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17

If you’re finding life to be a little more pain than joy and at times too much to bear, you are NOT alone! Everyone has points where life seems to be one heartbreak after another and troubling words in every phone call. What do we do? Pray? It’s almost always easier said than done. But the truth that lies in praying is the assurance that God hears our prayers.
God hearing does not always bring immediate relief, but it does provide peace in the midst of struggle. Dealing with the loss of a loved one, waiting to hear the fate of a medical test, or just trying to make it through the day, one can be confident in God’s love and presence in times of triumph and trouble.
History writes of many individuals who assured themselves of the presence of God during their suffering. Remember some of the powerful words written by  James Weldon Johnson as a reflection of God’s sovereignty and security for God’s people. And take comfort in knowing that God is unchanging!

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, Our God, where we met Thee;
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand.
True to our GOD,
True to our native land

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” – James Weldon Johnson