A prayer for joy in hard times

[prismaticbleed]

God, I know I will sometimes face painful things, but I find peace and joy in knowing You are with me even in pain.

Truthfully, whenever I suffer, You are even closer to me than usual-- as close as wounds, as close as blood.
Help me to always honor such a deeply sacred and tender mystery.

And yet... there is joy amidst the pain.
God, When I feel overwhelmed, You WANT to support me. When I feel discouraged, You WANT to encourage me.
When I feel hopeless and alone, You RUSH to surround and protect me.
When I feel weak and helpless, You REACH out to me, to become my source of strength.
You WANT to BE my joy in hard times. I just need to open my heart to recognize and receive You.
Nothing is impossible for You, and You are always thinking of my eternal welfare, always working for my highest good.

I am so grateful that Your promises of fidelity are forever true, for You are faithfulness itself.
I am so glad that my future is in Your loving, powerful, and careful Hands.
I have an ineffable reason to rejoice despite all haunting fear & chronic pain, knowing that You are with me even in hard times– even on the Cross.
I firmly believe that, no matter what, You will use my circumstances for Your glory and my good.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.