It’s been a while since I had one of those moments. You know, that split-second when all your angst collides. For me, I shouted out a silent plea—“Lord, help me understand!”

I’ve been told I have a sensitive spirit—perhaps a little too sensitive, from some people’s perspective. It is a gift from my Father, but it is what I do with it that gets me in trouble. 

My gifting can lead me to stuff my feelings, ensuring my calm demeanor remains intact. So, my silent shout was my breaking point—a moment when the reality of all the unfairness in our world collided with my soft-hearted, rational mind. As I struggled with the disconnect, I felt a wave of helplessness and anger surround me. I labeled it righteous indignation, but perhaps it was simply self-protection.

I am not a political person. I try to stay positive. I work to see the silver lining in the challenges I encounter, but today, right now, I’m not able to do any of that. The world seems unreasonably difficult.

In my moment of vulnerability, I took a walk. It is something I often do to help calm my mind and adjust my perspective. As usual, I headed down the drive, but instead of taking my usual route down the walking path, I hung a left and walked toward the newly plowed fields on the outskirts of our neighborhood. The walk takes me through a new home development, along open fields, to the foot of a pedestrian bridge. As I headed over the bridge, I couldn’t help but think about the tall wire fence placed strategically on the concrete barrier. I assume it was placed there to reduce the chances of something being tossed to the road below. The fencing acted as a guardrail, protecting me while on the bridge and those below as they pass by. And at that moment, all that angst I was shouting about became clear. 

The world today feels like all the protective barriers are being removed. All the things I’ve clung to dismantled, leaving me to hang recklessly over the railing, fully exposed to the dangers that an unguarded life can offer. 

I crossed the bridge, made my way to the edge of town, turned around, and traced my steps home. But I kept thinking about what offers me unchangeable, trustworthy direction in an uncertain world. 

If I were sitting inside your head or, better yet, inside your heart, I might learn your guardrails are also being tested. Perhaps you are finding yourself struggling with an armful of anxiety or the frustration of not being able to control your circumstances. Whatever the trigger, we all have those moments when we cry out to God and ask him, ”Are you still in control?”

And here is what I’m slowly learning. When things look the worse. When life’s circumstances push you right up to the edge of an unguarded crossing, that is when he is working the best. It is the time when we recognize we have never been able to navigate this world on our own. After all, there is nothing new under the sun: challenge, adversity, injustice, pain, and suffering, all of it has been in place since Adam and Eve’s fall in the garden, and it will exist until that final day when we stand face-to-face with our Savior. But in the meantime, in this lifetime, you and I can stand confident. Regardless of the bridges we cross or the barriers we face, we are contained within God’s loving arms. He remains in control. He understands it all, even when we can’t, and has a plan to use it all to change his children, making us more like him.

Be Blessed,

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.

God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.

The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.

He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.”

—Psalms 46