This past week was more frustrating than usual. I'm not sure why. Maybe, I spent more time in churches that were struggling. It's difficult to listen and not identify with their pain. Then, I came across Psalm 73:

Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.

I was so foolish and ignorant- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. (73:21-24)

I do feel torn up inside, a little foolish and ignorant. But don't we all at times? Don't we have weeks and sometimes months where circumstances are tearing at us? Where actions seem foolish and ignorant?

The Psalmist experiences a moment of truth: "I still belong to you. You hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel and you lead me to a glorious destiny."

Yes, there were difficulties. There were times; I was not at my best. But -- I still belong to You. You hold my right hand. You guide me and lead me to a glorious destiny. 

After slowing down and saying thank you to God, I began to look at the week again.

Yes, there were painful moments but in the midst of the pain, there was progress that lead to healing.

Yes, there were painful moments but there were also exciting moments where God worked among us. By dwelling on the pain, I neglected to see and appreciate the excitement.

Emails like this one: "What an amazing morning. We had 25 children and over 25 adults at our Easter Egg Hunt this morning. Our church does not have any small children. People in the community came and were excited. Everyone had a great time and has been invited to come again!" Sue

Yes, there are painful moments but God is in the midst teaching valuable lessons, if we pause long enough to reflect and learn.

Yes, there are painful moments but this week of all weeks, I should understand. Holy Week starts with a parade - Palm Sunday - leads to a last supper, a betrayal, an arrest, a trial, three denials, a beating, a humiliating walk down main street carrying a cross, a crucifixion, taunting by the crowd and a horrible death.

Yes, there are painful moments but the death of Christ is not the whole story. Easter is coming. Remember: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Psalm 73 concludes:

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. (73:25-28)

Whom have I in heaven but you?

I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail and my spirit grows weak but God remains the strength of my heart.

He is mine forever.

Do you feel the strength of God in those words? "But as for me; how good it is to be near God! I made the Sovereign Lord my shelter and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."

How good it is to be near God!

I made the Sovereign Lord my shelter.

I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.

Difficult weeks come and go but God will remain the strength of your heart. He is yours forever.

Holy Week may be the most difficult week of all but Easter is coming.