All the Hard ThingsSample

Day 10: GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS

Remembering the Journey

September 2024

Early morning sunlight slants in through the oval window 33,000 feet above the ground. The sun appears closer as the plane streams through the sky on its course southwest from Milwaukee to Kansas City.

Being up here gives me time to think, to remember. There were days when I didn’t think I’d travel again, either from life situations that kept me grounded, physical sickness where I fought to remain alive, or my own mental instability that caused tears to stream down my face when I considered stepping on a plane and leaving Eric to place myself alone at the mercy of my fears.

The winds of life have let me feel the sting of suffering, yet these winds have also carried me straight to the solid and safe person of Jesus.

I look back on the previous years’ storms and how they tried to take me under. Yet here I am, sipping coffee and marveling at the wonder that is air transportation, the wonder that God has brought me this far, back to what I love.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
PSALM 40:2 (NIV)

Here we all are, holding on because we’ve held to him. His faithfulness endures, his protective arms spread over us, establishing a deeper perspective of the valley.

This is our God who walks with us through the valley, who admits we will go through fire and flood, but he gives us his Word to walk with us through them. Where our feet slip, he catches us and sets us on solid ground. When we falter, his Spirit strengthens our inner being to endure. When we doubt, he is still gracious to come through again and again. Our God is a safe space, a refuge that warms our weary hearts, and a guiding light that steers our battered boats to the safety of shore.

Can you see him at work in your life? When you were in the shadows that threatened your faith and wellbeing, how did his light shine through? How has he protected you in every sense? Take a step back and remember.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes,
I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.
PSALM 7 7:11-12 (NIV)

Let us give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his faithful love endures forever (Psalm 136).

As we begin the descent through the clouds, I watch the ribbons of river below weave through the patchwork landscape. Things look so different from up here. Perspective shifts when I can see the world in a new way.

When we give a little distance from our daily struggles and situations, God’s lens allows us to see beyond the immediate and catch a glimpse of what he is doing for the long haul. His hand weaving a patchwork tapestry out of our trials, his heart lovingly shaping ours in a beautiful refinement that cascades his love and grace into the world. Our hurts are really healing us, weaving hope in our souls and holding a harder-earned faith in he who first hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2) and then our hearts.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 (NIV)

Because of his great love we are not consumed but covered in his compassion. Great is his love, his purpose, his beauty, and his grace. Great is his faithfulness. Now and forever.

Reflect

Remember how God has led you through this journey when you’re on your next journey with him. How might what you’ve recently learned encourage you later? How might sharing your story be an encouragement to others?

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We hope this plan was helpful to you. You can read more devotions from Sarah Freymuth in her book, All the Hard Things, available here.