"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)

It was a mild day in central Texas on January 9, 1993. I remember it well because that was the day I stood in front of the people I loved, to proclaim my commitment to Chris Beall. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death parts us.

Always and forever, I knew I would be his, and he would be mine. We would serve Jesus together and in my mind, everything would work out perfectly. It just would.

However, one February morning close to a decade later would prove me a fool.

Within minutes of my husband walking through the door, my world crumbled as I listened to him confess his infidelity and pornography addiction. After a slew of questions, as well as long periods of silent weeping, I began to suffer from an onslaught of unbearable pain, suffocating despair and waves and waves of grief. My desire to leave this world and meet Jesus face to face was powerful. Surely, I thought, that would be better than my present predicament.

That was over 14 years ago.

Thankfully, God brought my husband and me through that fire, and we don't even smell like smoke. The first thing God did was heal each of us from the inside out, and then He was able to make our marriage better than new.

He gave us a platform where we could shout, "You don't have to throw in the towel when marriage gets tough. Ask us how we know!" God has been more than faithful to redeem, restore and reinvent two broken people.

I wonder what circumstance you're facing right now that makes your heart weary and heavy, or makes you cry on a daily basis.

Maybe your marriage is broken and you have no idea how to climb out of the pit you're in. Perhaps you struggle with your health and no treatment seems to make a difference. It could be your children are weary, wounded, angry or far from God, and some days even getting out of bed feels like an Olympic sport.

I get it.

There were days I could barely lift my head from my pillow. Mornings where I awoke with joy only to have it dashed because I suddenly remembered, Oh yeah, this really did happen. And there were times when the trigger of a past event left me helpless and in a puddle of tears in the middle of some store. There were moments of hope only to be eradicated by our spiritual enemy's assault of doubt.

I've been in that pit of despair. But, by the generous grace of our God, I am no longer taking up any real estate in that deep abyss.

May this former pit-dweller offer you some hope? God can take your questions and your pain. In the midst of your storm, rest in the truth that God sees and He knows. He has not forgotten your discomfort. He is holding each tear you've cried. He will never leave you.

Just as we read in today's key verse, the Lord wants us to be strong and courageous, not fearful or panicked: "God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you" (Deuteronomy 31:6b). He is always near.

Sometimes I'd much rather God just wave His majestic arm and make everything better. Yet, it's the difficult times that develop our character and simultaneously reveal God's glory while making us more like Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You for making the journey with us through the valley of the shadow of death. Thank You for being our peace and comfort in the midst of tumultuous situations. Help us be aware of Your presence each day so we can walk in the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Isaiah 40:29-31, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

As you see from Cindy Beall's marriage, things don't always go as we desire. Cindy's first book, Healing Your Marriage When Trust Is Broken, will let you know you're not alone as you face marriage struggles. Her second book, Rebuilding a Marriage Better Than New, will help you learn how to rebuild after betrayal or years of complacency as a married couple.

Enter to WIN a copy ofRebuilding a Marriage Better Than New. In celebration of this book, Cindy's publisher is giving away 5 copies! Enter to win byleaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and email notifications to each one, by Monday, August 29.}

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

What current struggle are you facing that makes you feel alone, panicked or afraid?

Find truth from God's Word to stand as you press on in faith.

© 2016 by Cindy Beall. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Harvest House Publishers for their sponsorship of today's devotion.

Click here to view our policy on 3rd party links.