Have you ever had one of those weeks when God went out of His way to encourage and strengthen you? This has been one of those weeks for me. I won’t go into detail but, I had just about reached the end of my rope with the why’s and when’s of a situation. I’ve been praying to God or maybe I should say complaining to God for quite a while now. I have truly been ready to have an old fashioned pity party! I know that there are millions of people in worse situations physically, emotionally, financially, etc. than Steve and I are at this time. But, where as it is easy to believe and have faith for others, when things hit home sometimes it’s not so easy. That’s when I see God holding true to His word there comes a time when he realizes you can’t take much more so He sends some one along to give you some encouragement.

We were visiting at a church here in Georgia today and the pastor and his wife were the ones with the words of encouragement. They showed their concern and spoke the words that I believe God needed for us to hear. At one point they used the phrase "This too shall pass." This came on the heels of a full week of reading in books, hearing on television or the radio, the scripture Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT) I’m finally to the point of saying ok God you’re trying to let us know that this is going to pass and it will work out for our good. I know I’ve complained a lot lately and gotten discouraged, but You are using others to speak into my life. Please help us to remember that You are in control, and that, no matter what we are facing, we can trust You, and You alone, to take care of us.

The origin of the saying "this too shall pass" appears to date back to a story told about King Solomon. It is said that the King, feeling blue, asked his advisors to find him a ring he had seen in a dream. "When I feel satisfied I’m afraid that it won’t last. And when I don’t, I am afraid my sorrow will go on forever. Find me the ring that will ease my suffering." Eventually an advisor met an old jeweler who carved into a simple gold band the Hebrew inscription "gam zeh ya’avor" – "this too shall pass." When the king received his ring and read the inscription his sorrows turned to joy and his joy to sorrows, and then both gave way to calmness.

So here I sit typing this column and saying to myself "This too shall pass." Steve and I covet your prayers, we value the friendships that we have made in the last fifteen years of ministry. We have met some wonderful people that we know can intercede on our behalf. We are asking that you believe and pray with us that "This Too Shall Pass." Be blessed, be happy and keep on working for the kingdom of God!