Don Henley’s song, “Dirty Laundry” has a chorus that says, “Kick em when they’re up, kick em when they’re down,... kick em all around.” There have been times I’ve been so far down and low, and the world; including people I loved and trusted, kicked me even harder.

Adversity comes in many forms and can include being betrayed and lied about by someone we trusted, watching someone we love get sick, or simply bearing the consequences of mistakes we or others have made. Humbling myself under the Hand of God during those times does not come easily or naturally.

1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Peter asks his readers to not fight the sovereign Hand of God, even when they don’t understand the purpose of the situation. When I am impatient with my Heavenly Father to act on my behalf, I show that my pride is getting in the way of being submissive and humble before Him.

Because Jesus loves His children, He is interested in and cares about even the smallest details of their lives. He wants us to trust Him through discouragement, discontentment, despair and suffering because He ALWAYS brings good out of those situations in His perfect timing. (Romans 8:28) Truth always wins in the end and God is glorified.

“Father, help me to submit to Your authority daily. Help me to trust You even when things don’t make sense. Help me to clothe myself with humility instead of pride. And thank you for the tough times, because they help me to depend on You instead of myself. Amen.”

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (NKJV)