“So they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and God saved them from their desperate circumstances. God brought them out
from the darkness and deep gloom; he shattered their chains.” Psalm 107:13-14 (NIV)
Have you ever been (or are you) in a season where you don’t understand God’s plan? Are you frustrated? Confused? Apprehensive?
It can be difficult to navigate through the valleys when you can’t see a way out . . . whether it be loss of a job, loss of a loved one, a bad
day, a bad week, or a bad year. No matter the circumstance or struggle, know this: just as Mordecai advised Esther in the Old Testament, you were born “ for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14, NIV).
So if you are going through a valley, asking God, “Why me?” — as it says in 1 Peter, “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares
for you.” Be transparent. He sees and knows your mind and heart already, so you can cry, and later rejoice. You will see that God will
bring you peace of mind and understanding like you’ve never known — in His time.
Remember, you are “ fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14, NIV). We are meant to spread God’s Word and His love. So even though the valleys can be raw, embarrassing, or difficult . . . God carries us through. And that is reason enough to rejoice!
Thank you, Lord, for everything You’ve done in my life. Even when I fall, You are beside me, and when I am frustrated or confused,
it doesn’t make sense to me, but You know. Please continue to give me Your peace and understanding to get me through, as Your joy comes in the morning! I trust You and Your plan but, please, I pray for Your strength to carry on, and to always seek Your kingdom first. In your Son’s name, I pray, Amen.
— Tayola Brown (L’Hirondelle)
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org