Originally published by The Round Farmhouse on May 5, 2025.

“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5b ESV).

I recently moved into a new home, and it didn’t really rain for the next few months. But then there were heavy rains, and I learned that water doesn’t always go where it should. It shouldn’t make its way under the basement doors. And it shouldn’t find its way down the chimney into the living room. As I stood in the driveway in two inches of water throwing wet snow against the basement because I had no other way to block the water, I couldn’t help but think of songs about water: “I’ve got peace like a river. . .” Nope. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. . .” Nope. No peace here.

And that’s how life is sometimes. Multiple things hit us at once, and we probably don’t have peace about them. These things (disappointment, grief, anger, pain) make their way where they shouldn’t be. Even things that may seem good but when put together become overwhelming (obligations, to-do lists, goals, plans).

But the wayward waters won’t last forever.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV).

The next morning, I prepared myself to find a flooded basement and driveway, but the wayward waters had receded. Yup, as if the experience the day before never happened. But here’s the thing: the water wasn’t gone. It was where it should be. It was in the ground, and it was in the stream running down the edge of my yard. And the water in the stream was rushing that morning, pouring down from the lake at the top of the hill, making a loud noise that made me feel only a little uncomfortable (still getting used to living next to a stream!). The water was contained and no longer overwhelming. I could still see it, but I wasn’t standing in it. I could still hear it, but I wasn’t hearing it inside my house. It was no longer causing me to fear and feel overwhelmed.

God does this for us. He doesn’t leave us alone but leads us. He is faithful and merciful and won’t let us be overwhelmed to the point of destruction. In fact, He can turn things that seemed overwhelming into things for our good. Now I can enjoy the flowing stream and think of songs with water in a more pleasant and peaceful way. I’m thankful that God’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on my circumstances, and that He often changes those circumstances for my good.