Context: Yesterday was interesting, but truly exhausting. The long, slow journey across London from my hotel to the hospital in very heavy traffic was followed by about five hours of continual medical tests. Then it was time for the journey back to the hotel, and some much-needed food and drink, as I had been fasting for many hours.
Some of you will know that I’ve been having therapy for severe lifelong claustrophobia, so I’m delighted to report that I coped with the automatic door-locking systems in two taxis, used the hospital lift twice, locked myself in the disabled loo several times, and dealt well with being strapped down for some of my investigations.
Today I have to get up very early for my flight home, so there’s no time for writing. Instead, in the middle of the night, I’m posting a little prayer which came to me a few days ago.
Introduction
As I get older, I see more and more clearly that God really does bring good out of everything, no matter how disastrous it may seem.
However, we too, have an important part to play in this process, through our acceptance, faith, hope, love, trust and prayers. God can only help us if we co-operate!
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).
Accepting the rough with the smooth, Lord,
Accepting the grief with the bliss,
Accepting the hate with the love, Lord,
Accepting the strike with the kiss;
Accepting the cold with the heat, Lord,
Accepting the dark with the light,
Accepting the bad with the good, Lord:
I give thanks for all of my life.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).
References
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; CSB).
No test has overtaken you but what is common to all people. You can be confident that God is faithful and will not let you be tested beyond your means. And with any trial God will provide you with a way out of it, as well as the strength to bear the trial (1 Corinthians 10:13; TIB).
He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; NLT).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).
We know that God makes everything work together for the good of those who love God and have been called according to God’s purpose (Romans 8:28; TIB).