Most of us won’t face an apocalyptic 9/11. But many reading this face tragedy aplenty and may be even walking through their own, Valley of the Shadow of Death. It might be cancer, or dementia, or a loved one with Alzheimer’s, or simply the aging process. It might be the loneliness of pandemic isolation, or not having hugged your grandkids or children in a year. Maybe you are deep in grief over losing someone dear to your heart. It might be a financial hardship, job loss, or mounting bills. Maybe your struggle is with strained relationships, separation, divorce, or just a lifeless marriage that has flatlined. Maybe your kids have walked away, turned their backs on you, or maybe you’re wrestling with a strong addiction that has you pinned against the ropes. Maybe it’s a heavy depression or that slippery demon anxiety. No matter what your struggle or difficult situation, hear these words: “I am with you, no matter what. I am with you. You and I together… and that’s no question.”
You might have missed this eloquent and pointed quote by Omar at the beginning of the video: “Trust is the most important thing in working with a guide dog.” The same is true when it comes to our relationship with God. Can you trust God to guide you through the smoke, the confusion, the fear, the debris, and the anxiety of what you are currently going through?
Trust goes way deeper than intellectual understanding. Trust involves full-body surrender. It involves movement, of actually following, and moving through the smoke, the fog, the not knowing, the fear, and the anxiety. It means holding God’s hand and allowing ourselves to be led. Omar could say that he trusts Salty. But until he holds that harness and actually follows, his trust is only in his head.
Trust is a muscle. It only grows and gets stronger by using it. May you exercise your trust muscles… and remember; “I am with you, no matter what. I am with you. You and I together… and that’s no question.”
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