My loved ones and I are going through a hard time. I won’t give details for two reasons. One because they are not mine to give. And two because if I give my details the temptation is for you to turn your focus from your life to my situation, ignoring what I want to share with you.

One night as I was getting ready for bed, I prayed for the hundredth time that day for my loved one. And then I prayed ten more times between brushing my teeth and finally falling asleep. Leaving a loved one in the hands of God while I sleep can be a challenge for me. I know the truth—me worrying is not helping anyone. God is in control whether I worry or not. Somehow struggling to leave this person with God feels more spiritual than saying one last prayer and falling to sleep. Messed up, right?

But this one night as I started my litany of nightly prayers, my thoughts wandered from worry for my loved one to a future worry—one I can’t even remember now. At that moment God spoke a truth and comfort to my heart. It went something like this:

The truth for all of us—in every season of life—God has us. No matter what we fear, what will come, God is there. He has us. He always will.

That’s it.

We know that, right? But when we are in the thick of darkness—physically and emotionally, it’s hard to remember. It’s even harder to believe it.

God brought to my mind Joshua 1:9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

And often Jesus told His followers not to be afraid. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

My heart was troubled and afraid. But in that moment I knew that God was with my loved one and He was working in a way I could not understand.

We don’t know how God works but we know when we pray He hears us and He answers. In Daniel 9, Daniel is praying and even as he prays God brings the answer to Him. God is always working on our behalf too. In John 5:17, Jesus tells us, “My Father is working until now, and I too am working.” The timing is God’s but we know He’s up to something.

Our family’s journey continues. But even after journey is resolved there will be another. And then another. It’s life for all of us.

So remember. . .

“The LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

He always has been and He always will be.

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.