My blessed Savior, I take sweet solace in Your comforting presence. Where else would I go Lord, for You have the words of life? When my heart is overwhelmed by the sorrows of this world’s depravity, You so graciously open my eyes to the horizon of eternal grace. When I am emptied and squeezed out like a dry, brittle sponge, You flood me with the Living Water of blessings that replenish me in such a unique way. Discovering my inward frailty and weakness tempts me toward paralyzing depression, but Your Word reminds me that You are my sufficiency, Jesus. I can do anything in Your power that You have assigned me to do. Disappointments and heart-break may loom like shadows, but they cannot eclipse the light of Your love shining in my life. Let my confidence be anchored in faith when billow after billow of affliction pulls me out to the tempestuous sea of frustration and defeat. For any tempest that assails me is no surprise to You even if it catches me off guard. I trust in Your fore-ordained plan. I find refuge in the intimacy of prayer where I can lay my cares upon the altar, knowing my burdens need not be shouldered alone. Thank You, Jesus, for being my rock and my shelter, my strong tower and ever-present help in trying times of unforeseen trouble. Under the strength of the Word in Psalm 46:1-3 and the blessed authority of Christ Jesus, I pray.

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3, NIV