when god carries us through dark times

DEVOTIONAL READING
Footprints in the Sand
     "One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
     After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
     This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."
​     He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

Romans 8, Verse 16 NASB, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with HIm.

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
Footprints in the Sand motivated my faith when I was younger. I had a great upbringing but struggled at times with both events, relationships and pressures growing up that made me feel emotionally dark at times. The past couple of years have been extremely difficult and full of trials, and at times my faith in God has disappeared. During those times my faith was in more simple things, such as simple goodness in others; I questioned reality and wondered how I could continue to go on when I really didn't want to. The image of one set of footprints - the Lord's footprints carrying one through the most troublesome times in life has a beautiful imagery. Its as if one cannot proceed forward at all, but somehow ends up a future destination only by God's grace, mercy and active love. Romans 8, Verse 16 is a favorite passage of many Christians and Paul points out that the children of God have an inheritance with God. The passage also justifies the suffering of Christians and gives some explanation as to why that happens. And so there is both purpose in the trials and dark times of our lives, and also a clear message here that God does not abandon His children.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER
Dear God. I have had difficult and trying times in my life and at times I feel abandoned by You; at times I feel I suffer beyond what is bearable.  My yoke is often too heavy.  Yet my faith is renewed at this very moment and I look back and see Your ways are not my ways and I ask for Your forgiveness.  I also am very thankful for Your grace, mercy and active love in my life. I rededicate my life to You and deeply appreciate when you have carried me through difficult times as one of your children. Praise God.  In Jesus name.  Amen.