You can’t lose heart during the bad parts.

You need to think about the whole story.

You need to think about how good wins in the end. And you need to do your part to make it so.

– Beth Woolsey, on the state of everything right now

I have a friend who is having a bad week. Not just a bad week, but a REALLY bad week. She is having this bad week and can’t do much about her circumstances except live in them.

I have been dwelling on Psalm 121 for about a week now. It’s one of my most favorite. I just love the story pictures that are created in my head when I read the verses. It seems that I am surrounded these days by good friends and a few family members who need Beth Woolsey’s advice, need to read and re-read Psalm 121, need to dwell on this, from Max Lucado:

C. S. Lewis wrote: “The moment you wake up each morning your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job of each morning consists in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, letting that other, stronger, larger, quieter life come flowing in.”

Here’s how the psalmist began his day: “Every morning, I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer” (Psalm 5:3).

Spend time waiting on God. And, at the end of the day, thank God for the good parts. Question him about the hard parts. Seek his mercy.  Seek his strength. And as you close your eyes, take this assurance into your sleep: “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).  If you fall asleep as you pray, don’t worry. What better place to doze off than in the arms of your Father. – Max Lucado

I am grateful today that I am surrounded by seekers and people who feel and are bothered by turmoil and stress.

I am grateful that I choose to live my life mostly positive, not dwelling on the negatives that could swallow me into a black hole of despair.

I am grateful that I have chosen to eliminate political news, scary crime shows, pop culture tv, reality shows that have no value and are filled with drama and yelling, and negative radio – I know my emotional health, and none of that is productive or offers hope, comfort, joy, or good tidings, all of which I need in my soul.

I am grateful for fun text messages from Melissa.

I am grateful that I have a piece of paper now taped to my desk, with Beth’s words of wisdom posted. I will print another copy to keep in my wallet.

And I am grateful that He does not slumber or sleep, while I do. I love Max’s advice: At the end of the day, thank God for the good parts. Question Him about the hard parts. Seek His mercy for today and His strength to face tomorrow.  And then I’ll just imagine this picture as I drift off to sleep…

The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. Psalm 121:7-8