While celebrating a dear friend’s birthday a couple nights ago the topic of uncertainty came into play.  We didn’t dwell there for very long, but I’ve been blatantly aware lately that almost everyone in my inner circle is currently in a season of transition and uncertainty.  It’s bizarre.  Transition is never easy because it always entails a giving up of old and an accepting of new.  But when you tie uncertainty to the other side of a transition, it becomes downright painful.  That is the season where our family and so many of the people we dearly love are right now dwelling.  Impending deployments.  Jobs lost and jobs hoped for.  Homes lost and uncertain living arrangements.  Babies lost and babies dreamt of.  Graduations.  Chronic illnesses.  Career altering/ending accusations and investigations.  Retirements. Strained marriages.  Parenting challenges.  The fiscal cliff.  And on and on and on… I love spending time in prayer, but I’m running out of time in my day to pray over all the uncertainties.  After all, I really think God approves of me pausing from prayer long enough to feed my family and catch up on the laundry.  So today, I’m simply giving it all to God, standing on these verses, and offering them to anyone who is living in hard times, as hope.  Just keep choosing hope! (that little instruction was as much for me as it is for anyone else.)

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 91:2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.

2 Samuel 22:3 my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
the one who saves me from violence.

Psalm 94:22 my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
the one who saves me from violence.

Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Psalm 73:26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.

Psalm 84:5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,…

Proverbs 10:29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity,
but it destroys the wicked.

Psalm 18:35 You have given me your shield of victory.
Your right hand supports me;
your help has made me great.

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Colossians 1:11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,

And last…   Nahum 1:7  The Lord is good,
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him.

I trust you, Lord.  Please stay close.