I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and they will trust in the Lord – Psalm 40:1-3 CSB

These three verses of scripture from the Psalms resonate deeply when we reflect on all that God has delivered us from and walked with us through. We could read these three verses of scripture to the younger version of us in our teens, twenties, thirties, forties, and beyond. I say this because far too often when we are traveling through a difficult trial or season of life, it can be a challenge to see the peace and lessons learned that await us on the other side. Rest assured, God is with you in every storm, and He desires for you to come into His presence to receive His peace.

clarity & gratitude gained through daily trust

Personally, when I read these verses, it provokes a great amount of reflection over my own personal life and professional career. From the early days of being a Deputy Sheriff in my twenties praying to God to clear the path prior to my arrival on a “Hot Call,” to losing Brothers in Law Enforcement that I was close to, calling out to God to wash me clean from all that my eyes have seen, and now to retirement, these verses have provided the confirmation that His peace-filled presence has remained with me from the beginning to now.

The one confirmation of absolute truth is that God alone provides the way and the strength through all that this life and our journey as a Christian First Responder will ever hand us. Why? The answer to why is found only in The Way. The Way is Jesus Christ and He is also our source for truth and life. Jesus Christ is The Way to the Father, and the Father created us in His own image, that we too may be a light unto others. This became clear to me in a difficult season of life when I faced my own sinful, destructive choices, and finally surrendered my entire life to Jesus Christ. I began to truly abide (trust) in Him, I prayed and read the word of God daily. Through repentance and coming clean with God, I could now relate to Psalm 40:1-3 with great clarity and daily gratitude, which led to my personal growth.

how to find Gratitude in Every Season

Be encouraged today and always to take the time away from the profession to enter into His presence and survey your own life. How has God showed up for you and how is He walking with you right now? How has God provided for you, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially? Allow God to wash you from all that you too have seen, heard, and experienced, both personally and professionally. He will renew your mind and restore your soul. God desires to hear from you daily, He will take on your burdens, pain, and any struggles you may be experiencing in this life.

I conclude with these powerful lyrics from the popular song, “Dear Younger Me” performed by the contemporary Christian band, Mercy Me:

“Every mountain, every valley,
Through each heartache you will see,
Every moment brings you closer,
To who you were meant to be.

May God bless you today and always as you continue to run your race with perseverance. Many in the Mission First Alliance have you covered in prayer, to include myself, and we will continue to.

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. – James 1:2 CSB

Mission First Alliance exists to equip, encourage, and connect all those who seek to reach First Responders with the hope of the gospel. Contact us here if you need help or prayer.