This afternoon I heard, “It’s not always what it seems.”

You might be experiencing a sudden twister of a storm.

It’s not what it seems.

You might be sinking in despair thinking it will never lift.

It’s not what it seems.

You might be in a sudden, and unwanted, shift in your season.

It’s not what it seems.

There is a rainbow coming after the rain. A promise after the pressure. A warrior rising after the fight.

There will be sheaves of joy after that sorrow and tears.

There will be dancing once again on the heels of that mourning season.

You see, it’s not what it seems.

That valley of Achor (trouble) is a door of hope. A door is an entrance to some place.

You don’t see it now. But you will.

How do I know?

I’ve been to the valley of Achor too. It was hard. I wanted out. But Jesus walked with me there. I learned new things about Him. I began to see differently. More clearly. He showed me how to let Him see through me.

It changed me.

Friend, it’s not what it seems. Trust me. Trust Him.

I know it feels like the end, but one day you’ll see it was actually the beginning of something new.

So if you have to whisper to yourself every day, “It’s not what it seems.”

Do it…