Poems for Trials
I’ll Carry It Today
I’ll Carry It Today
Dear child, you know I love you,
I care about your tears,
I want to bear your burdens
And calm your doubts and fears.
This load that you’ve been wearing
Is far too big for you,
But I will gladly take it
If you’ll just trust me to.
I’m strong – it will not hurt me,
I’m wise – I’ll understand,
I’m kind – I want to help you,
I’m good – so trust my hand.
Lay down this heavy burden
And let it roll away,
Release the strain and worry –
I’ll carry it today.
Christina Joy Hommes
Only for a While
Only for a While
The wicked sometimes prosper,
But only for a while –
Swift judgment is awaiting
Their final, careless mile.
The godly sometimes suffer,
But only for a while –
The Lord Himself is waiting
To turn it to a smile.
So do not be discouraged
When things seem upside down,
Though patient, God is working
And soon you’ll wear a crown.
Christina Joy Hommes
Through Cloud and Storm
Through Cloud and Storm
The clouds may gather overhead
And turn life’s skies to gray,
The winds may blow and shake the things
I thought would always stay.
But still the love of Christ my Lord
Shines brightly through the rain,
His tender kindness and His care
Bring comfort through the pain.
His goodness makes a rainbow gleam
Through all my falling tears,
His faithful mercy never ends
Through all the passing years.
So let the clouds and storms blow in,
Let winds and thunder roll,
I’m sheltered safe in mighty love
That guards and heals my soul.
Christina Joy Hommes
God Loves It When We Trust Him
God Loves It When We Trust Him
God loves it when we trust Him
With simple, childlike faith
That doesn’t doubt or worry
But rests in loving grace.
He loves it when our actions
And countenance display
A confident assurance
That He’ll direct our way.
He loves a joyful spirit
That cannot see ahead
But holds to every promise
The Lord Himself has said.
He loves our quiet watching
For what His hand will do
That says, “The Lord’s been faithful –
He always brings me through.”
He loves a heart that’s peaceful
When facing flood and flame –
A living song of worship
That magnifies His Name.
He loves it when we trust Him
Not just for life above
But through the storms, believing
His tender care and love.
Christina Joy Hommes
Through the Valley
Through the Valley
You’ve led me through the valley,
Across the wilderness,
I saw Your tender mercy
And felt Your faithfulness.
You took me through the furnace,
Across the raging sea,
And all the way Your goodness
Was holding onto me.
The flame, though hot, can’t burn me,
The floods can’t overflow,
For, Lord, You’re right beside me
In every place we go.
Until I reach that harbor
Where troubles never come,
I’ll find in You my shelter,
My comfort, help, and home.
Christina Joy Hommes
This poem is part of Summer for the Soul a 14-day spiritual “devo-cation” that will refresh and encourage your heart.
Summer for the Soul – 14-Day Devotional (eBook)
Psalm 23:5 – A Table in the Presence of My Enemies
Psalm 23:5
Though troubles hover near me
And clouds are overhead,
I’m eating at the table
My Shepherd’s love has spread.
Though countless foes may gather
And stormy winds may blow,
I’m tasting of the blessings
My Father’s children know.
Yes, here within the trials,
Amidst the swirling strife,
He’s spread a lavish banquet
To give me joy and life.
Christina Joy Hommes
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:5
It Didn’t Take Him by Surprise
It didn’t take Him by surprise
This trouble that you face;
God didn’t sleep or close His eyes
When you were near this place.
He has a plan you cannot see
And wouldn’t understand,
But if you’ll trust Him faithfully
He’ll guide you by His hand.
He wants to work in bigger ways
Than all the plans you’ve laid
To bring the Savior greater praise
As you have asked and prayed.
He wants to make you like the Lord
So Jesus shines through you
That you might gain a rich reward
When He has brought you through.
So do not fear when darkness falls,
The shadows will not last;
In tender tones your Father calls,
“My love will hold you fast.”
Christina Joy Hommes
Seeing the Sunny Spots
Seeing the Sunny Spots
When pain or disappointment,
Discouragement or grief
Creep in to block the sunshine
And mercy’s sweet relief,
I find I need a weapon
Resilient, quick, and strong
To fight them back and conquer
The thoughts that lead me wrong.
The weapons most effective
Against these tricky foes
Are thankfulness and praises,
And this is how it goes:
As soon as I feel anxious
Or sorry for myself,
I start to thank God quickly
For blessings and Himself.
“Lord, thank You for Your presence,
For such a lovely place,
For those who truly love me,
For saving me by grace.
And thank You for this moment
To stop and really see
The blessings You have given
So graciously to me.”
I start to thank and praise Him
For all that comes to mind,
And through it I’m reminded
How good He is and kind.
It shifts my mental focus
From storms and self to God;
It brings back heaven’s sunshine
And shows that doubt’s a fraud.
I sometimes have to do it
A dozen times a day,
But then I gain some traction
And find that as I pray
The Lord rolls back the storm clouds
Of selfish, downcast thoughts
And helps me see His blessings
In all the sunny spots.
Christina Joy Hommes
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Unexpected News
Unexpected News
It comes so unexpected
Some news we dread to hear,
Time stops, it seems so sudden
That we must face our fear.
Within these solemn moments
When all begins to spin,
We test our spirit’s anchor
And feel God’s strength within.
We know things don’t surprise Him
And somehow He can see
A way it’s best allowing
What’s dark to you and me.
We cannot see the future,
And what before seemed bright
Is shown to be uncertain
When seen in such a light.
It’s then that we remember
God’s promise to abide,
To keep and to protect us
Forever by our side.
We give our fears and wishes,
Our hopes and plans and days
To God again for keeping
And lift our voice in praise.
Though pain may be our portion
God’s grace will see us through,
And in His love and wisdom
He’ll strengthen and renew.
Our home is sure in heaven
Where pain and fear can’t come,
Where faith will be rewarded
When we are safely home.
And in that trust and resting
We find such peace and love
It seems a piece of heaven
Descended from above.
So in the hardest moments
Though painful, dark, and long
We see God’s tender comfort
And find a lasting song.
For Lorie with love
Christina Joy Hommes
The Good from Pain
The Good from Pain
It’s not the pain itself
A Christian greets with joy,
But rather what it helps us gain
When in the Lord’s employ.
Like Jesus Christ we pray,
Lord, must this cup be mine?
But then we yield to One we trust:
Lord, not my will, but Thine.
For in the midst of pain
We find His loving care;
And patience has its perfect work
In sorrow borne through prayer.
We look ahead in hope
To what we soon will gain,
And then, like Jesus, we can bear
This fleeting, earthly pain.
Lord, make me more like Christ
As You have said You would;
Please be my Strength and Comforter,
And turn this pain to good.
Christina Joy Hommes
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2-3
“Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.” Luke 22:42
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Romans 5:3-4
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29