A Benediction for the Good/Hard Life

When I was recently offered the opportunity to speak to a stadium full of college-aged students at a massive New Year’s conference, I felt precisely as excited as I felt intimidated. As I started to work on what I would say, I somehow convinced myself that it was up to me to deliver the message that would galvanize a generation. To be clear, no one had told me this. But I always work best under pressure.

My chest ached and my eyes filled with tears as I thought of the suffering that would seep into the lives of these precious young people. As I prayerfully held them in the embrace of my imagination, my instinct was to wrap my arms around them, to shield them from all the brokenness. Of course, I knew I could never really prevent any of the pain. But I knew I could help prepare them.

It didn’t take long for the words to pour out because the message was for me as much as it was for those students. And if you’ve found yourself at the end of these reflections on darkness, then this message is for you too.

No one needs to tell you that life will be hard. You’ve seen it and tasted it. And, so far, you’ve survived it. Which is exactly why I’m not sharing these words in the form of instructions or platitudes. I’m speaking them over you as a prayer, a benediction for the good/hard life.

May you see your life as a good/hard story that God is writing (Psalm 139:16).

May you open your hands to release old dreams and receive new ones (Isaiah 43:18–19).

May you find the miracle you’ve been looking for has been right in front of you all along (John 12:37).

May you accept the stunning capacity you have to endure because of Jesus, who endured for you (John 16:33).

May you live the hardest parts of your life with a joyful rebellion against the darkness (Deuteronomy 31:6).

And may you believe that the boundaries around your life are good and pleasant because God uniquely assigned them to you (Psalm 16:6).

God, you do not make mistakes. You are only capable of writing good stories—thank you for seeing me as worthy of this one! I want to enthusiastically join you in the life you’ve given me, rather than resist it because I’m afraid of pain, disappointment, or losing control. Thank you, God, for walking with me. May it be so.

Was this plan helpful? We adapted this plan from Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting by Katherine Wolf and Alex Wolf. Check it out for more.