Yahweh never promised that your life would be without problems. But meditate on what He has promised. Let it be your strength. God will never leave you or forsake you. He commands you not to be afraid, so to be fearful is to doubt God. And that is a sin.

The wilderness is a place where we can lean on God and trust His promises, but it's also a place to discover that the arms He provides and the ears that listen to our fears sometimes belong to flesh-and-blood people.

Unrealistic neediness is actually greediness in disguise.

We all desperately want something that we see the Lord giving to other women. We see Him blessing them in the very areas He's withholding from us. And while these other women may not be obnoxious like Peninnah in their reminders of their blessing and our lack, it's increasingly painful each time we see a reminder. We look at them, and we feel set aside.

If we place our hope and future in the hands of our unchanging, unflinching God who never leaves us or forsakes us, we'll find healing and freedom. We'll be able to see something on the other side of all the pain. Something good. Something we know will be so worth whatever it takes to get well.

Isn't it interesting that Jesus seemed to speak most intimately to people who were lonely?

I remind fear that I will not entertain his whispered lies. His lies tell me I'll always be alone, and yet Your truth assures me I'm never alone. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. This isn't dependent on a person. It's a security I have in You.

Ps 23:1...So, if the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not become empty. I shall not live in a constant state of disappointment where circumstances drain me dry... How do I let the Lord shepherd me so the gap between my expectations and reality closes? (p. 115-6)

If we place our hope and future in the hands of our unchanging, unflinching God who never leaves us or forsakes us, we'll find healing and freedom.

There aren't many sure things in this world. But God's love and goodness are something we can absolutely count on to be there with us . . . to follow us.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Josh. 1:6—7, 9)

You're going to be okay. You're going to find your way. You are not alone.