This past weekend, I had to jump on a plane to Denver to care for my Dad who had a stroke. It was a pretty stressful few days interfacing with doctors, therapists and hospital staff. I wanted to make sure he was receiving excellent care. I was concerned about my step –mom.  There were serious decisions to make and lots of others to consider.

In the midst of all that, I naturally went to God’s word for direction and comfort. At first, I camped in Psalm 37. I kept rehearsing those key phrases: Don’t fret, trust, commit and rest.

But to be truthful, I was still struggling. And then that wonderful almost “magical” thing began to happen. My mind started mulling over scripture that I have hidden over the years in my heart.

Out of nowhere came the words from I Thessalonians 4. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus shall we always be with the Lord.”

The next phrase says, “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Wow. The comfort I was seeking came from a “different” place than I expected. Instead of camping on some well known verses of pure comfort, I was directed to think about the bigger picture. I was reminded that that particular set of circumstances was not the sum total of the experience. Truth is, I was experiencing a small “dot” along the long line of eternity.

My comfort didn’t come as I focused on the immediate issues, but it came as I focused on the bigger picture of what God is planning to do with me and all of mankind. The Lord is indeed in charge. He has a plan. He is the center of that plan. He is working all things towards that climax when He returns for His kids.

I am His kid. I found comfort in trusting His plan.

I pray the same for you this week. Consider the bigger picture and trust Him. He knows what He is doing.