Strength for Each Day

About a year ago, Heather and I read the popular book, “The Shack.” The book follows the story of Mack, a middle-aged man who left home to revisit the site in the Oregon wilderness where his young daughter had been kidnapped and murdered. During his weekend with God (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), God allows Mack to see his daughter, now in Heaven. As Heather and I read the book together, we remember remarking that we could not imagine ever losing a child. We remember now discussing how such a loss would be too difficult to possibly bear.

Throughout the past 7-plus months since Micah’s death, there have been points when Heather or I (or both of us) have said to ourselves, “This is it. I can’t go on.” There are some days when we are totally exhausted; other days are easier. But regardless of the difficulty, God gets us through each day. Heather recently completed the Beth Moore study entitled ,“Stepping Up.” Moore encourages us to consider how God sustains us daily, and give us grace for each day, regardless of exactly what trials each new day brings. God has sustained us through burying our son. He sustained us through the trial of marking his 1st birthday without him. He has sustained us every day since Micah’s death.

Isaiah 40:28-31: “Have you not known. Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint."

Similarly, the Psalmist praises God for the strength he gives us for each new day. Psalm 84:5 “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they grow through the valley of Baca [sorrow], they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.”

Heather and I can attest to how God seems to give us the strength we need each new day to face that particular day's new trials. Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34. We have tried to apply Jesus' admonition so as to avoid projecting how difficult it will be in the years ahead to live without Micah.

Instead, we've learned to try to focus on each day. Like the Israelistes in the Desert, we are given just enough manna-just enough bread and strength each day. Not too much—otherwise we would probably become prideful in our overabundance of strength we have been provided. It seems like we are given just enough to be sustained, and to continue to trust in him for our "daily bread."

Heather and I have found that we can rest in the promises in His word that he will always give us the strength to meet each new day’s new challenges.

“Day by Day”

Day by Day, and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure, Gives unto each day what He deems best. Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me. With a special mercy for each hour; All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, He whose name is Counselor and Power. The protection of His child and treasure Is a charge that on Himself He laid; “As thy days, they strength shall be in measure,” This is the pledge to me He made.