change our circumstances for the better

There are times when we feel overwhelmed by the sorrows and disappointments and challenges in our lives. We do not have to pretend to God, who knows us utterly and loves us completely. King David is credited with writing at least some of the Psalms and they reflect both his passionate love for his God and the times when he felt overwhelmed.

I love this prayer:

Lord, change our circumstances for the better,
    like dry streams in the desert waste!
Let those who plant with tears
    reap the harvest with joyful shouts.
Let those who go out,
    crying and carrying their seed,
    come home with joyful shouts,
    carrying bales of grain!  Ps 126:4-6

The answer we get from God may not be what we hope and it may even seem crumby, but when we ask God to help us during times of challenge we open our selves to a change of heart, a new understanding, a new perspective so that, as we grow in trust and closeness to God, the seeds we plant are blessed by God's sun and rain to bear fruit. It will not happen in the way we plan or hope because our hope and plans are limited by our limited understanding; but God has something more amazing in mind than we could ever imagine ourselves.

I can pray Ps.126: 4-6 with confidence and gratitude.