It is going to be OK

As a child, with three brothers to keep up with and being the only girl, I can remember countless times hearing these words from my Dad; “It’s OK. I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall”. “It’s OK – you’re doing fine. Keep going”.

Whether I was trying to keep up with my older brother climbing huge rocks in the North East of England, being encouraged up mountain slopes or attempting some new playset equipment – I can remember the moment of freezing where my legs no longer thought my attempt at bravery was such a good idea and behind me, from just behind or below, I would hear my Dad with these familiar words.

I look back on those days now as a parent myself, and smile at how often I find myself speaking the same words to my own children. Whatever the new venture or attempt may be in their lives, coming from Mum or Dad, those words “It will be OK” speak such confidence and peace deep into their hearts on the inside. Such simple, non-descript words really, and yet they contain so much depth of meaning to us as children. Somewhere inside we know it doesn’t mean “everything is going to be perfect and I promise you won’t get hurt” but instead they mean quite simply “whatever happens, keep going, it is going to be OK and I will still be here and loving you”.

As adults nothing is more comforting to hear than these simple words from Father God - “It is going to be OK”. It doesn’t necessarily change our situation in the day to day. It doesn’t erase the circumstances that have caused us to be worried in the first place. BUT it does something so much more … it brings a deep peace and security to our hearts deep on the inside. It reminds us, just like in today’s Scripture that He will never let us down. He will never leave us. We may still have to climb the mountain or scale the rock, but what new courage and energy we can experience to know no matter what… “He is my helper and I don’t need to be afraid”.

Prayer: Father God, what a peace it brings my heart to know that You will never leave me, that You will never let me down. Thank you Lord that I don’t walk through the challenges of life alone, that if I only listen for Your voice I will find You right by my side, speaking Your words of assurance and truth to my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.