Even If

I’m not big on t-shirts with sayings on them, but I ordered two the other day. The one says, “Stronger than the Storm.” With all of my daughter’s hospitalizations this year, 2024 has definitely felt like a series of one storm after another. In some ways, each has left me battered and bruised. In other ways, each has taught me new things and increased my resilience. I am weary, but with faith and the support of my loved ones, I am also stronger than I was a year ago.

The other shirt simply says, “Even If – Daniel 3:18.” It refers to the Bible story in which Daniel’s three friends are being threatened with execution by fire. They respond by saying that they believe God will rescue them, but EVEN IF He doesn’t, they will not turn from Him.

Faith does not guarantee our desired outcome. It makes no promises of an easy way of things. It does, however, provide a source of strength. For me, that strength is an inner knowing that God will get us through whatever is coming our way – even if it’s not what we prayed for. Will it be easy? Absolutely not. In fact, sometimes, it’s excruciatingly hard.

During those hard times, it’s important to be mindful of the words that we allow to be spoken into our situation. Those words can come from the music we listen to and even the friends and family with whom we spend our time. During the storms, our time is precious and our emotions are fragile. Protect your peace, choose people and activities that renew your energy and, if need be, throw on a shirt with the words you most need to hear.