Out of the lions' den for Daniel, the prison for Peter, the whale's belly for Jonah, Goliath's shadow for David the storm for the disciples, disease for the lepers, doubt for Thomas, the grave for Lazarus, and the shackles for Paul. God gets us through stuff.

Struggles come, for sure. But so does God.

El titular del libro de Ester dice: El alivio vendrá. . . ¿serás parte de él?

If the story of Joseph teaches us anything, it is this: we have a choice. We can wear our hurt or wear our hope. We can outfit ourselves in our misfortune, or we can clothe ourselves in God's providence. We can cave in to the pandemonium of

How can you make it a point to choose hope? What do you need to relinquish to do this? Anxiety will come, but when it comes, what will you choose to rejoice over?

You and I can learn the same. Christ-based contentment turns us into strong people. Since no one can take our Christ, no one can take our joy. Can death take our joy? No, Jesus is greater than death. Can failure take our joy? No, Jesus is greater than our sin. Can betrayal take our joy? No, Jesus will never leave us. Can sickness take our joy? No, God has promised, whether on this side of the grave or the other, to heal us.

Before you count coins or count heads, count the number of times Jesus has helped you face the impossible. Before you lash out in fear, look up in faith. Take a moment. Turn to your Father for help.

Feed your fears and your faith will starve. Feed your faith and your fears will.

And unless we look and listen closely, we risk making the same mistake. God's lights in our dark nights are as numerous as the stars, if only we'll look for them. from In the Eye of the Storm

A father is the one in your life who provides and protects. That is exactly what God has done. —He Still Moves Stones

You can't control the weather. You aren't in charge of the economy. You can't undo the tsunami or unwreck the car, but you can map out a strategy. Remember, God is in this crisis. Ask him to give you an index card—sized plan, two or three steps you can take today.

When you see the torches and feel the betrayer's kiss, remember the Father's words: "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you."20