The past year has brought fear and uncertainty into the lives of many people. Lack of employment, lack of retirement funds, lack of trust are rampant in our world today. It has been a “day of trouble” for people in the US and around the world. If you’ve listened to the radio, watched the news or read the paper, you are aware of the unrest, anger, and anxiety that is being experienced. What does that mean for a Christ follower? How do “days of trouble”, whether they last a day, five years or a lifetime, affect us? What is our response to our neighbors, family and friends when we get involved in conversations about the world or politics, hard times, and life’s challenges? Do we wallow in worry? Do we attack our enemies with harsh words and mean spirits? How are we sharing the hope of Christ through our words, emails, Facebook, Twitter or blogs?

I’ve had a lot of “days” that seemed like battles this past year and I really don’t want to live through them again. I’ve experienced disappointment and fear, anger and tears. It took time to work through these things and let God resume His rightful place in my life. These experiences humbled me and helped me realize, once again, that I cannot trust in the things of this world or in what I think should be the fair or right outcome, but I can trust the God that is not surprised by anything that happens to me or what happens in this world. He has a plan. Even when I don’t feel secure, He is. He has secured my victory (v. 5), He will answer my cry (v. 6), He has saved me (v. 6), and He will help me stand upright. As Christ followers,we need to know, in the “day of trouble,” that God’s presence is with us. That is worth boasting about.