YAOGYAW 77:1-2

The Bible and psychology remind us that all our emotions are functional and that we must learn to manage them in an appropriate manner and at the right time. The psalmists and Jesus seem to have understood this concept perfectly.

Natural disasters—such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, fires, tornadoes, even pandemics—often strike without warning. The shock, fear and sense of outrage can be overwhelming, leaving you feeling completely helpless and abandoned. In the midst of devastation and loss, be assured that God is with you—loving you and caring for you, “always ready to help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

When trauma or tragedy strike, it can seem to us that it’s impossible to live again. Neurosurgeon Lee Warren—who has endured his own personal tragedies—says you can survive, find your feet, reinvigorate your faith, and even experience happiness again. His treatment plan works. And hope is the first dose he prescribes.

While there are certainties in faith, at the heart of the Christian story is also paradox. Jesus invites us to look beyond the polarities of either and or in order to embrace the difficult, wondrous dissonance of and. This 6-day plan explores the "and"—of the incarnation, of the kingdom, of grace, and of lament—and invites us into the practice of wonder and worship.