Denying reality is something I’ve been told I’m good (or is it bad?) at doing. I can get into my own little world and steadfastly convince myself that’s all there is.

This is probably a trait I picked up over the years of having thyroid and adrenal problems – when hearing about stressful/sad things could literally send me to bed for days. And while it can be a helpful coping mechanism, it isn’t always. And sometimes things happen that simply splash reality in my face like a bucket of iced tea.

But guess, what? Even during those times, God is good.

Our reality doesn’t change the goodness and love of God. Isn’t that a beautiful thought to dwell on?

Sometimes it feels like the world is blowing up.
Or slowly spinning to a standstill.
Or going completely crazy.
Or being flippant.

Or throwing so many different emotions and feelings into the mix that it then spits out and covers everything so that it’s hard to know what to think, or even where to go to think, or if thinking is even an option when reacting is right there, begging to be a viable means of coping.

I’m not upset.
I’m not scared.
I’m not worried. 

But I do see the seriousness of what’s going on around me.
I am concerned.
I am saddened.
And I am praying for those who this is deeply affecting.
Lives are being changed for forever, all around the world. There are people who can’t protect themselves. There are countries full of villages that don’t have the means to take the measures that people in developing countries gripe about. There are people whose livelihoods are being threatened, and others whose very lives are going to be snatched.

On Sunday, while visiting my family back in Ohio, I found out that where I work is being closed for the next couple of weeks. While that wasn’t completely unexpected, it did rock my world. Suddenly my well-planned life was shot into unexplored territory and it hit hard.

It took a couple of hours for me to get past my selfish tendencies and focus on the bigger picture.

The picture that includes an abundant amount of God’s love and peace. The picture that reminds me that God is good, no matter what I’m feeling or experiencing. The picture that excites me because God is God and cares about the humans He’s created.

Nearly every morning for the last few weeks I’ve been reading Psalm twenty-seven. It’s beautiful. It’s peace-filled. And it reminds me of what’s really important in life.

One of the verses says When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” And that’s what I’m doing today. And what I’ll be doing tomorrow. And the next day. Because the denying of reality doesn’t solve anything, but dwelling on the truth of a never-changing God does.

Today I choose to rejoice.
And to pray for those whose lives are falling apart.
And to remember that although things are completely out of my control, nothing is ever out of God’s control.

Today is the day the Lord has made, and I’m thankful to be living it.