Joe had no reason to feel listless.  He simply felt anxious and lacked his normal everyday enthusiasm for life and his faith.  He asked, "Why does this happen?  I can feel so good one minute, and suddenly sink into a mood that drains me of all my joy?”

Joe’s right. We all experience these times and we just don’t know why.  And then, there are the times when we know what drops us into the pits of anguish, usually something that rattles our faith.  In both of these situations, Jesus preaches to us to trust in His promises especially when we have concrete reasons to waiver in trusting Him or when we are lethargic for no good reason.

Why trust?  Jesus pledged to be always there whether the sun is a brilliant glow in our lives or hides behind a dark cloud.  Jesus wants us to cling to the truth that He “has our back!”

Jesus’ nearness is difficult to fathom, because we can’t see it.  We simply have to rest assured that Jesus means what He says and is always working for our good. 

Jeff was inundated with grief when his twin brother suffered greatly from an unknown, debilitating illness that put him at death’s door. It shook Jeff’s faith.  "Why my brother," Jeff asked.  Then, his brother moved through his pain, and soon was his old self.  Jeff now enjoys a better understanding of Jesus’ nearness.  Whether in darkness or in brilliant light, Jesus is helping us to find the best ending possible.  Jeff believes this more than ever.

Sabra was delighted when she received news of the birth of her first grandson.  This quickly turned to apprehension when word arrived that his breathing was precarious and weakening.  They prayed to Jesus even though they could not see Him, but they knew He was nearby.  Then, good news arrived. Little William suddenly was breathing on his own.  While Sabra never wavered about Jesus' presence, she now understands it in a deeper way. Jesus means it when He says, “I am with you always.”

In the moments when we cannot understand why bad things happen, remember this: always have confidence in Jesus for the tree of His cross blooms fruit in every season of our lives. Jesus is always faithful to us. And, He loves it when we return the favor.