An old Gospel hymn by Annie Johnson Flint sums up today’s message so well for me:

God has not promised skies always blue,

Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;

God has not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

Refrain

But God has promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

God has not promised we shall not know

Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;

He has not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

Refrain

God has not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain rocky and steep,

Never a river turbid and deep.

Refrain

[--Source: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/whatgodh.htm]