Everything feels so hard, defeating and dark. I know everything is an exaggeration but to my feeble mind, heart and body…everything is how it “feels”. It is so challenging to enter the day, let alone with joy. But…There are so many life hinging, necessary, powerful BUTS in the Bible! Buts bring us to Your Truth no matter how things appear to our limited human perspective. So many mighty verses of Truth in Your Word include but. I desire to live and walk in obedience and power to Your Ways. I am gaining deeper insight into the command to fight the good fight. That is definitely how it feels- a fight that is taking every ounce of human determination, commitment and strength. But, the battle is the Lord’s! Why do I forget?! Why do I think You require my help? So, to fight this fight, I need to rest behind You and not give up and not doubt Your Ways and not withdraw from You in confusion and disappointment. But instead, according to Psalm 100:4-5, Enter (come into the secret, sacred place of Your Royal Presence-I am invited and desired!) with thanksgiving (which requires that I have faith in You alone and not define You by the conditions which surround me). Enter with praise (being truly absorbed and focused on You and Your wondrous attributes-kind, loyal, patient, sacrificial, grace-filled, humble, approachable, thunderous, majestic, awesome…and not consumed or distracted by the chaos, confusion and darkness that presses in). Give thanks to You ( sincerely speak words of gratitude for You, Your Truth, Your Covering, Your Power, Your Acceptance, Your Companionship, Your Heart and Eyes of Love, Your outstretched, pierced Hands that offer me refuge in a heavenly embrace. I am invited to stay there. Rest there.). Bless Your Name (to pronounce as holy, to laud, honor, celebrate, acclaim, admire, approve, adore, revere, worship); for You are good, Your steadfast Love endures forever (I can’t ever make it cease towards me!) and Your faithfulness endures to all generations!

Truly, in the Brilliance of Your Presence and Your buts, the oppressive circumstances fade into their proper position behind You.