Friday Nurturing Content - 12/22/23

Happy Friday, Friend!

As Christmas fast approaches, I pray that you have been able to enjoy moments of peace to embrace the meaning of this holiday season—the joy and hope of our Savior and Lord.

Throughout this month, we’ve immersed ourselves in the theme of "God's Promises” as we learned about our God as a Promise Maker and Promise Keeper. In our previous reflections, we explored the promise of a Savior and marveled at the profound connection between Jesus' story and our own.

Today, I want to share a poem with you. It’s very likely that you’ve heard of this poem as it’s been around since 1919. Much like the word of God, this poem has withstood the test of time and proves to still be relevant today.

God Hath Not Promised by Annie Johnson Flint

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

If you read about the author’s personal life, you’ll come to find that she wrote this poem out of her own lived experiences. Annie, unfortunately, lost both her parents in her early childhood and, as a young adult, developed a severe form of arthritis that forced her to quit her teaching career and left her unable to earn a living or care for her own self. She began writing poetry as a way to express her afflictions to the Lord. Her poetry resonated with so many others and provided them with comfort and encouragement.

In these verses, Ms. Flint beautifully captures the essence of God's promises—what they are and what they are not. God’s promises are not the absence of hardships and troubles, sorrow and pain. Rather, they are of strength and comfort, grace and love in the midst of life's hardest challenges.

The promises of our Heavenly Father are not a guarantee of a life of perpetual ease, but a steadfast assurance that He walks with us through every storm and is with us in every valley, offering us His strength, His guidance and, most importantly, His love.

As we close out this month, let’s take a moment to reflect on the specific promises that we have already received from God. Take a look at the uncertainties and challenges you have faced this past year, my friend, and pinpoint where can you see God in them.

How has God shown Himself as a firm rock upon which to anchor your faith?

How have the promises of God been your source of strength, joy, and unwavering hope?

How has He proven Himself to be faithful to you?

Close out your time of reflection with a prayer of gratitude, thanking Him for His never-ending promises and blessings despite whatever outcomes you’ve experienced this year.

Dedicated to your success,

Coach Tam

P.S. There’s still time to participate in our monthly challenge! Check out this week’s writing prompt here.