Sometimes life seems so hard and it feels as if God is so far away. I realize it is not Him that is at a distance, that I have let the cares of the world push Him away. There are days when I fall to my knees and cry out, “Lord, I need you now” and it seems that I am only speaking to the walls and my cries are bouncing off the ceiling. I pray to be steadfast, but it is a constant battle up a hill that seems impossible to ascend. I am climbing, fighting, just trying to be better, to be more like Jesus. There are times when I open up my Bible and it is like every verse that I read is contrary to what is going through my mind. There are moments when I feel that heaven is out of reach. I remember times when I have shared some of what was going on in my life with certain individuals and instead of trying to encourage me in the faith, they gave me the third degree and judged me for every word that I said. There are certain verses that I cling to in my moments of weakness, despair, and feelings of failure. I am  encourage and confused by what is written in *Romans 8:28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.* I do Love God, so my prayer is simple, “Lord, through my heartache, disappointments, brokenness, weakness, in the crushing, may You get the glory. May I never make it about me whether in the valley or on the mountain top. On my bad days as well as my good, may I glorify You through it all and not bring shame to the name by which I live, “Christian.” I will go through whatever You want me to as long as You get the glory from it. You are in complete control and I surrender to Your will, Your purpose for my life, whatever that may end up being. In Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.” The words of Charles Spurgeon encourage me, “When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head.”