READ: PSALM 139:7-12; JEREMIAH 29:8-14; ROMANS 8:18-39

Even in the darkest nights
When the sun is nowhere to be seen

Even in the hardest fights
When hope feels like a distant dream

When I’m struggling to smile
Because all I want is to scream

O Lord, You are there
And You will comfort me.

Even if my friends and family
And church leaders turn away

And even if I cannot bear
To face another day

Even if my body
Seems to give up on me too

O Lord, You are there
And I will trust in You.

For You know the plans You have for me
I will trust that they are good

And that in the end I will see
Your promises have withstood

Dark times are no walk in the park. You might even laugh at that and add, “Yeah, and they’re no walk either! More like an army marathon that you didn’t train for at all.” I get it. Everyone experiences times when hope seems to be the furthest thing from them. Maybe it’s a scary health issue. Perhaps your family is struggling with their relationships. Sometimes you just feel lost, lonely, and sad. But take heart! You are not alone. God loves us so much that He came to live among us—He was born, lived, died, and rose again, taking our sins on His shoulders so we could live life with Him. We can know that He is always with us. He offers us comfort in the hard times, letting us know He is grieving with us. And He will provide hope, reminding us that no matter what this world throws our way, He is coming back to make all things new—getting rid of sin, death, brokenness, and pain forever. And that promise will never be broken. So, take heart! • Anna Tuckfield

• What kinds of difficulties have you been going through lately? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about your pain, receiving His compassionate comfort and asking Him to show you how He is with you in the midst of your circumstances.

[Jesus said,] “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)