Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

I am encouraged by the last verse of our hymn, “Be Still My Soul” by Ka­tha­ri­na von Schle­gel.

I have been writing about challenges that I am facing these past days.  I believe in the goodness of the Lord but I saw no solution to the problems that daunted me.  At the deepest level I believed in the goodness of the Lord but on the surface, I was tossed about.  Then I saw the mighty hand of God touching my distress and once again, confessed that I should not have felt the way I did.  If God is God and Lord of my life, why do I flail about?  Lord, forgive!

Katharina von Schegel spoke language that blesses me today!  She says, calm your soul, begin to sing songs of praise, from the heart.  Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways.  I tend to acknowledge my frustration, not his wisdom.  Challenges drive us into his arms.

Then as the clouds come, they simply highlight the mercy and grace of God.  I see that the Sun of life outshines and outlasts all of life’s passing clouds. The Sun shines more brightly.  Thank you, God.