The last several weeks have been a roller coaster of events that have shaken our nation. Recent fires at large churches in Dallas and Houston seem to be a bit suspicious. Saturday, July 13, was the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. President Biden is no longer running for a second term as president and Democrats have chosen the vice president as their new candidate. Christianity was mocked during the opening ceremony of the Olympics. A Hezbollah/Iranian rocket killed 12 children and injured many others in a Druze village in northern Israel. Now that Israel has responded by killing two Hezbollah’s leaders, Iran has vowed to respond with swift and devastating punishment. Our nation also is experiencing tornados, flooding, and wide-spread, devastating wildfires.

The uncertainty of our world and impending darkness in every realm of our society have caused some people to say they sense heaviness, stress, anxiety and even depression. In a recent video interview, a licensed counselor quoted from a survey conducted by the American Psychiatric Association. She said, “73% of people visiting a counselor are reporting anxiety and stress from the current election cycle.” I must admit that I’ve been troubled by all the news and have experienced anxious thoughts. This has been compounded by serious family illnesses.

Annie Johnson Flint (1866 – 1932) spent most of her adult life in a wheelchair and in great pain from crippling arthritis. Annie was greatly loved by her parents, but because of the death of her mother (when Annie was just three years old) and her father’s illness, she and her sister were adopted by the Flints. Despite all the hardships, she was a happy child and eventually became a schoolteacher.

At the beginning of her second year of teaching the arthritis limited her ability to walk, so she resigned. This brought financial hardships (These were eased somewhat after her poems were published.) Her sister’s health also deteriorated. Despite her increasing struggles, her faith remained strong. Her wirings, however, admitted to a quick temper, impatience, and strong sensitivities when wronged by others, so she acknowledged her human shortcomings. Her life verse became 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Possibly Annie’s life and poems speak so powerfully to me because 2 Corinthians 12:9 was the Scripture the Lord gave me when my husband was so very ill. Just as the Lord has encouraged me in the past and during these difficult days, He can do the same for you. Maybe He will uplift you through a Scripture, a song, or an encouraging word from a friend. May Annie’s poem put to music by Nick Aufankamp speak words of comfort to you today.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that your need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father, both you and your load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.