Take a moment and recall other times of testing. Did you come out the other side loving God more? Did your understanding of his character grow? Did your character grow (Romans 5:1-5)?

We may wait till he explains, because we know that Jesus reigns.

It puzzles me; but, Lord, You understand, and will one day explain this crooked thing.

Meanwhile, I know that it has worked out Your best—it’s very crookedness taught me to cling. You have fenced up my ways, made my paths crooked, to keep my wandering eyes fixed on You; to make me what I was not, humble, patient; to draw my heart from earthly love to You.

So I will thank and praise You for this puzzle, and trust where I cannot understand. Rejoicing, You do hold me worth such testing, I cling the closer to Your guiding hand.

- Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

What “crooked thing” are you facing today? A dying marriage, a wayward child, a pressing physical limitation, or an on-going financial crunch? You make your own list.

Don’t you sometimes just want to scream, “Why are you letting all this happen to me? I thought you took care of your children? I certainly do not feel cared for AT ALL!”

I am thankful for the Psalms because they give us plenty of permission to ask our emotionally charged questions. Have you read Psalm 13 or Psalm 77 lately? Both of them contain a whole list of questions asked of God in the middle of confusing circumstances. Each song resonates with me because of their naked honesty mixed with raw despair.

I am glad God knew I would have days (seasons?) like that and provided actual sentences to sum up my emotions.

But one other observation is needed as we glance at these psalms: after the litany of questions there is a fresh commitment to love and trust God IN the complications of life. Psalm 13:5: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”

Psalm 77:11: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” In both psalms, there was the beautiful balance of being honest with how I am doing while choosing to remember who God is and all he has done.

So I will thank and praise You for this puzzle, and trust where I cannot understand. Rejoicing You do hold me worth such testing, I cling closer to Your guiding hand.

Can you thank him for this crooked place you are in? He loves to hear our voice of trust in troubled times.