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Life is full of ups and downs …

Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes, we’re up on the mountaintop. Sometimes, we’re down in the valley. This is life as we know it. Is it life as God wants it to be? To ask the question is to give the answer!
We may face difficult circumstances – but God is there with us! He gives us the strength to rise above our circumstances: “The Lord is the everlasting God … He strengthens those who are weak and tired” (Isaiah 40:28-29).
When we’re feeling low, God is there to raise us up. He reminds us of the great things He has done for us. He takes us back to the cross of Jesus. He takes us back to the empty tomb. He assures of His love. We may have stopped loving Him. He never stops loving us. We’ve failed Him so often. He has never failed us – and He never will!
Sometimes, we seem to be almost overwhelmed by our own sadness and weakness. When we feel like this, there is something we must never forget: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). The joy is there for us. The strength is there for us. The Lord is there for us.
Do you feel like things are getting too much for you? Remember Jesus. Remember that He loves you. Remember that He gave Himself for you. He still gives Himself to you. He gives you His strength – to keep on going, looking to Him and living for Him.
Let us “wait on the Lord and renew our strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
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